Tailored simulations of spiral galaxies

October 29, 2024 - The LEAPS-MPS grants are National Science Foundation awards for early-career scientists, primarily at non-R1 institutions focussed on mathematics and physical sciences. This award will support the principal investigator in modeling spiral galaxies, which are immense collections of billions of stars and gas like our Milky Way. The main work will involve creating 1:1 synthetic galaxy models made to match a number of real observed galaxies in the universe. These will then be used to investigate how important the structure of any given galaxy really is, e.g. do galaxies with stronger arms form stars better than those that do not? This work is theoretical/computational, involving high performance computing facilities across the country.

"In the field of galactic physics many theorists make the assumption of modeling something 'Milky Way-like,' being an approximate analogue to our own galaxy," said Alexander Pettitt, an assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy and the project's principal investigator. "However, to truly make any substantial conclusions about galactic structure, we need models that are tailor-made to real observed systems so we are comparing apples-to-apples."

The broader impacts of this work will be the support of a number of undergraduate student researchers - including trips to collaborators and conferences, the creation of new shows for Sac State's planetarium, and ultimately implementing a new course on astrophysics for our students. More details about the award can be found here.

Award Amount - $230,625
Project Duration - Two years
Funding Agency - National Science Foundation

Principal Investigator - Alexander Pettitt, assistant professor, Physics and Astronomy

Cyber Security Autonomous Heterogeneous Vehicles Research Lab

October 9, 2024 - This project establishes a new research laboratory at Sacramento State to:

• Facilitate research in the area of applied multi-agent control systems and cyber-attack analysis/detection/mitigation on multi-agent systems
• Support instructional learning objectives in the area of control systems, robotics and mechatronics
• Engage underrepresented minority students to pursue graduate degrees in STEM
• Reach out to high school students and teachers to attract students pursuing postsecondary studies in STEM

These instruments will bring new research capabilities in the area of dynamical control systems, robotics, machine learning and mechatronics to Sacramento State, which will be used to promote both graduate and undergraduate research and teaching in the fields of engineering at a minority-serving institution.

Award Amount - $335,194
Project Duration - One year
Funding Agency - U.S. Department of Defense - Army Research Office

Principal Investigator - Rohollah Moghadam, assistant professor, Electrical Engineering

Guaranteed Income Program, Sacramento - How does it help?

September 20, 2024 - United Way California Capital Region received funding from the City of Sacramento to start a new Guaranteed Income Program that provided 80 recipients with monthly, no-strings attached payments of $500 for 12 months.

Research on prior Guaranteed Income (GI) experiments has shown that unconditional, individual, regular cash payments to vulnerable and impoverished people is an effective tool of economic empowerment, enhancing participants’ health and overall well-being (Hasdell, 2020, p.17). Our research will will bolster such findings and expand them by assessing the impact of guaranteed income programs on individual and family self-sufficiency and wellness outcomes. Specifically, five domains are being assessed, including security, agency, social engagement, health and well-being, and experience with/interpretation of GI.

Award Amount - $58,000
Project Duration - 18 months
Funding Agency - United Way California Capital Region

Principal Investigator - Ethan Evans, associate professor, School of Social Work
Co-Principal Investigators - Kisun Nam, associate professor, School of Social Work; Kyle Caler, associate professor, School of Social Work; Arturo Baiocchi, associate professor, School of Social Work

'Evaluation of Proximity Warning Systems for Work Zones'

September 16, 2024 - The research contract will support a project titled "Evaluation of Proximity Warning Systems (PWS) for Work Zones," led by Principal Investigator Dr. Ghazan Khan in the Department of Civil Engineering and ECS Dean Kevan Shafizadeh (Co-PI) at Sacramento State and funded by Caltrans. This research aims to enhance the safety of workers in highway work zones by evaluating advanced proximity warning technologies that alert workers of potential collisions with vehicles or equipment.

Background and Project Overview

Work zones are critical areas where construction and maintenance activities take place, often in close proximity to traffic and heavy machinery. Despite existing safety measures, accidents involving workers remain a concern. According to recent reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), transportation-related incidents are one of the leading causes of fatal injuries at work sites.

To address these concerns, the project will assess commercially available proximity warning systems designed to prevent accidents by alerting workers when vehicles or equipment come too close. These wireless systems use sensors and wearable devices to warn workers in real time, improving their awareness of potential hazards and preventing collisions in these high-risk environments.

How the Research Contract Supports the Project

The research contract will be instrumental in conducting a comprehensive market survey and literature review to identify the most promising proximity warning systems. It will fund the purchase of selected systems for testing, both in controlled environments at the Caltrans Maintenance Equipment Training Academy (META) in Sacramento and later in active work zones. The research will involve extensive data collection, pilot testing, and real-world assessments to evaluate each system’s effectiveness, ease of use, and overall benefit to worker safety.

In addition, the research contract will support training sessions for Caltrans maintenance staff. The goal is to empower these workers to deploy, operate, and maintain the selected systems independently, ensuring that the technology can be implemented seamlessly in everyday work zone operations.

Impact of the Research

This research has the potential to significantly reduce accidents in highway work zones by providing Caltrans with critical insights into the most effective proximity warning systems. By improving work zone safety, the project not only protects workers but also minimizes traffic disruptions and enhances public safety across California’s highways.

Sacramento State will also benefit directly from this project by engaging students in applied research through paid positions for up to three students. Students will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology solutions in real-world settings, providing invaluable experience that will prepare them for careers in transportation safety and engineering.

"This research contract represents a unique opportunity for Sacramento State to play a key role in advancing work zone safety," said Ghazan Khan, the project's Principal Investigator. "By collaborating with Caltrans, we’re not only helping to protect the lives of workers but also providing our students with hands-on experience in solving real-world challenges. The impact of this research will be felt not only in our community but across the entire state of California as we lead the way in creating safer roadways."

Award Amount - $341,795
Project Duration - Three years
Funding Agency - Caltrans

Principal Investigator - Ghazan Khan, professor, Civil Engineering
Co-Principal Investigator - Kevan Shafizadeh, dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Understanding self-efficacy: A key to equity in online STEM courses

August, 30, 2024 - Project-SOAR (Investigating students' (S) Online self-efficacy (O), Academic performance (A) and course Redesign (R) ): Dr. Praveen Meduri, an associate professor in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department has been awarded a significant grant to investigate how course design can positively impact student self-efficacy and performance in online STEM courses. The three-year, $344,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will fund a research project titled "Project-SOAR."

Addressing High Failure Rates and Equity Gaps: Project-SOAR aims to address a pressing issue in higher education: high failure rates and equity gaps in online STEM courses. Dr. Meduri will delve into how course design can influence student self-efficacy – their belief in their ability to succeed – and ultimately, their academic performance. By understanding these factors, the project seeks to develop strategies for improving student outcomes and closing achievement disparities.

Student Self-Efficacy – a nuanced understanding: Dr. Meduri emphasized the significance of self-efficacy in online learning: "The more we understand self-efficacy as a dynamic, influential process and the course redesign factors affecting it, the more sure-footed and strategically effective our online redesign efforts can be in enhancing student performance and reducing equity gaps."

Research Methodology: Dr. Meduri will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research techniques, to gather data on student performance, self-efficacy, and course design elements. The project will involve a comprehensive study of four undergraduate engineering courses known for their high failure rates and wide equity gaps. Dr. Meduri's research will examine how Quality Matters (QM) based online course design affects student self-efficacy and performance. The goal is to identify effective practices that can be implemented in other online STEM courses.

Research Team: Project-SOAR is a collaborative effort involving a team of experienced researchers, thought leaders, and educators. The project's mentors include Drs. Lynn Tashiro, Kelly McDonald, De-Laine Cyrenne, Lisa Romero, Mary McCarthy-Hintz, and Michelle Dang. Remarkably, the research team is comprised entirely of gentlewomen, reflecting Sacramento State's commitment to gender equity in higher education. “At Sacramento State, we not only talk the talk about women in higher education and STEM, but we walk the walk,” Dr. Meduri noted.

Potential Impact: By identifying strategies to improve student self-efficacy and performance in online STEM courses, the project has the potential to increase student retention, reduce equity gaps and better prepare students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The ultimate goal of this research is to provide rigorous data-based insights into effective strategies for online course redesign and to expand our current understanding of students’ self-efficacy in online STEM courses. As online learning continues to grow in popularity, this research has the potential to significantly improve student outcomes in STEM fields.

Award Amount - $344,033
Project Duration - Three years
Funding Agency - National Science Foundation

Principal Investigator - Praveen Meduri, associate professor, Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Analysis of Public Advocates Office report on Calif. broadband pricing

August 26, 2024 - This project entails a comprehensive analysis and critical review of the report titled “Broadband Pricing Trends in California” produced by the Public Advocates Office. This report presents the analyses on broadband pricing trends in California and the implications of broadband pricing on achieving universal access to broadband.

CalBroadband is an organization that represents leading providers of broadband and high-speed internet applications in California. This organization entrusted this task to Sacramento State Sponsored Research (SSSR).

The objective of this project is to critically assess the methodology and conclusions of the report. This involves a detailed examination of the data collection process, statistical methods used and evaluation of the robustness and validity of conclusions. This initiative aims to shed light on the precision and reliability of findings presented in the report. The project shall determine the strengths and weaknesses of the report's approach and verify the accuracy of its conclusions about broadband pricing and trends.

Understanding California broadband pricing trends is crucial for effective policymaking, particularly as the digital divide continues to affect various demographics across California. Accurate and reliable data on how much California consumers pay for broadband can help policymakers craft regulations and programs that ensure fair access, promote competition and prevent price gouging.

By critically analyzing the methodology and conclusions of the existing report, this project will contribute to the goal by highlighting areas of success and potential gaps in the report's analysis.

Award Amount - $36,000
Project Duration - Three to four months
Funding Agency - CalBroadband

Principal Investigator - Ramakrishna Dantu, assistant professor in Information Systems and Business Analytics (College of Business)

Rescuing the Sacramento State Herbarium

August 26, 2024 - Herbaria are collections of dated and georeferenced dried plant specimens and are an incredibly important resource for genetic, taxonomic, evolutionary and ecological studies. Herbaria are intended to house plant specimens in perpetuity, offering researchers and students a snapshot into past plant communities.

These collections therefore hold untapped potential for understanding evolutionary and ecological responses to global change including, but not limited to, climate change, development and species invasions.

The Sacramento State Herbarium currently houses an estimated 20,000 California plant specimens with many specimens dating back to the late 1800s. This includes a unique collection of specimens from Placer County intensively sampled by Dr. Josephine Van Ness and Dr. Michael Baad prior to the region’s development in the 1970s.

Despite housing this estimated 20,000 specimens, only 2,000 of those specimens have had their metadata uploaded to the Consortium of California Herbaria database, and, as there is no local database detailing the remaining collections, nearly 90% of the specimens remain a mystery. In addition to the specimens that are mounted but not digitized, there are an estimated 5,000 specimens that have been pressed with detailed handwritten notes but are yet to be mounted.

For decades, this collection was partially maintained by the previous curator and Professor, Dr. Michael Baad. Dr. Baad retired nearly two decades ago however, and the herbarium has lied dormant since then.

This grant from the California Biodiversity Initiative will assist in rescuing this unique collection of specimen by providing funds to hire a student assistant for the academic year.

Award Amount - $10,000
Project Duration - One year
Funding Agency - California Biodiversity Initiative

Principal Investigator - Marina LaForgia, assistant professor of Biological Sciences

Teacher performance, retention among math completers in first five years

June 7, 2024 - This project is a collaboration effort involving eight California State University campuses that offer a single subject credential program in mathematics. The PIs and co-PIs named below will conduct research together to establish a robust knowledge base on teacher effectiveness and retention among single subject credential program completers in mathematics in the first five years of teaching in both high-need and non-high-need school districts in California.

Individual PIs and co-PIs will also be responsible for recruiting and working with their participants. We will describe the mutually determining impact and roles of various social ecological factors and their nuances in early secondary math teachers’ enactment of effective math teaching practices and decisions to either stay, persist or leave based on their self study accounts. We will establish new evidence-based insight that will support recommendations for:

• Strengthening programs and initiatives that develop effective math teaching and retention longterm;
• Dealing with variations, which make the work of math teaching in either high-need or non-high-need schools very complicated, in order to reduce early math teacher turnover, improve early math teaching, address concerns that affect student performance and the entire social ecology;
• Improving credential, induction, and credential-to-induction transition programs.

Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, co-principal investigator representing Sacramento State, will be involved in all aspects of the collaborative project, which include:

• Establishing and maintaining their own institutional database of math completer data;
• Leading the mixed methods data collection, analysis, and writing at their respective institutions;
• Participating in meetings to review literature, plan data collection and analysis, and develop analyses and reports; and supporting the implementation of the dissemination plan.

"This study will provide a knowledge base on Teacher Effectiveness and Retention among Single Subject Credential Program completers in mathematics in the first five years of teaching in both high-need and non-high-need school districts in California," Hajra said.

Award Amount - $74,998 (subaward)
Project Duration - Three years
Funding Agency - National Science Foundation (project 2345187)

Principal Investigator - Dr. Ferdinand Rivera, San Jose State University

Co-Principal Investigator(s) - Drs. Cheryl Roddick, Peter Gao, and Carlos Garcia, San Jose State University; Dr. Greisy Winkici-Landman, California Polytechnic State in Pomona; Dr. Julie McNamara, CSU East Bay; Drs. Babette Benken and Brian Katz, CSU Long Beach; Dr. Dennis Kombe, CSU Monterey Bay; Dr. Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Sac State; Dr. Agnes Tuska, Fresno State University; Dr. Rong-Ji Chen, CSU San Marcos

Exploring how SSI recipients approach work-related decision making

June 7, 2024 - This yearlong grant project, funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to inform their policy making, will use community-based participatory research (CBPR) techniques alongside qualitative methods across two research sites (in Sacramento and Pittsburgh) to explore how SSI recipients approach work-related decision making.

Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a public assistance program that provides monthly cash benefits to people with disabilities and older adults who have not participated in formal work. Average SSI benefit levels reach just below the Federal Poverty Line, and recipients must navigate a web of complex and outdated administrative policies to maintain benefits. A significant body of research demonstrates that people who participate in SSI rarely return to the workforce in their lifetimes. Simultaneously, qualitative and survey research often finds that people receiving disability benefits desire to work yet face perceived employment disincentives and barriers.

This exploration is twofold: First, it takes up questions of how individuals’ ethnoracial and disability backgrounds may impact their orientation towards the potential risk of returning to the workforce; and second, it explores potential barriers to employment as they relate to recipient understanding of SSA policy and associated administrative burden. This project is conducted in partnership with Rebecca Vallas at the National Academy for Social Insurance (NASI) who will support dissemination efforts. Findings will inform SSA on reasons why SSI recipients choose to engage in work - both formal and informal - or not, and the role of structural inequities and SSA policies in these decision-making processes.

“The gap between people’s desire and capacity to transition from SSA disability benefits to employment is a persistent social policy," said Katie Savin, the project's Principal Investigator. "This grant allows us to learn from those closest to the problem – SSI recipients – to better understand the structural and contextual factors that keep disabled people out of a labor market they desire to participate in.”

Award Amount - $179,810
Project Duration - Feb. 2024-Feb. 2025
Funding Agency - Social Security Administration via the Retirement and Disability Research Consortium at University of Wisconsin, Madison

Principal Investigator - Katie Savin, assistant professor, School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services

Co-Principal Investigator(s) - Nev Jones, assistant professor, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh