In 2026, a peer-reviewed American Chemical Society (ACS) Local Section Innovative Project Grant (IPG) of $3,500 was awarded through the ACS Nashville Local Section to support the “Nature to Medicine” Research Camp. The five-day summer camp was conducted July 22–26 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for students in grades 8–12. The camp provided hands-on research experiences in natural product extraction, purification, and chemical analysis while introducing students to laboratory techniques, STEM careers, and the role of chemistry in medicine and drug discovery. 

An APSU SASI Grant of $300 was awarded for the 2026–2027 academic year to support the future project Molecule of the Month: Exploring Organic Chemistry through 3D Molecular Construction in collaboration with Dr. Cody Covington. The project will engage students in hands-on learning through the construction of chemical structures using 3D-printed molecular models. Students will complete a featured molecule each month for the opportunity to earn prizes, encouraging creativity, active participation, and interest in organic chemistry beyond the classroom. 

An APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded for the 2026–2027 academic year to support the project From Molecules to Colors: National Chemistry Week Celebration. The project will celebrate National Chemistry Week through interactive student activities designed to increase interest and engagement in chemistry. Planned activities include chemistry-themed T-shirt printing, hands-on demonstrations, and educational events that connect chemistry concepts with creativity, art, and everyday life. 

An APSU SASI Grant of $700 was awarded for the 2026–2027 academic year to support the future project From Soil to Art: Moss Preservation and Wall Display for Experiential Learning. The project will engage students in learning about moss biology, environmental science, and chemical preservation techniques through hands-on activities. Students will chemically preserve moss samples and create artistic wall displays, combining science, creativity, and experiential learning while exploring preservation methods used in natural materials and decorative applications. 

An APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support the Molecule of the Month project in collaboration with Dr. Cody Covington. The project engaged students in building chemical structures using 3D-printed molecular models. Students submitted images of completed molecules for monthly prizes, promoting hands-on learning, student engagement, and interest in chemistry outside the classroom. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals 

An APSU SASI Grant of $1,000 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support the Mycorrhizal Fungi Collection and Preservation Initiative in collaboration with Dr. Niranga Wickramarathne. The project provided students with hands-on experience in preserving agricultural and biological specimens using epoxy resin techniques for long-term educational and display purposes. APSU student Sarah Tupan actively participated in the project and contributed to the collection and preservation activities. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals 

An APSU SASI Grant of $400 was awarded for the 2025–2026 academic year to support The Hidden Life of Spices: Chemistry in Every Thread as part of National Chemistry Week 2025 activities. The project engaged students in celebrating chemistry through educational presentations and chemistry-themed T-shirt printing activities designed to increase student participation and public interest in chemistry. Additional information is available in the 2025–2026 Funded SASI Proposals 

APSU Faculty Research and Scholarly Support Grant (RSG), 2025–2026, $1,500: “Toxic or Tolerant? Tattoo Ink and the Skin Microbiome,” collaborative research project with Dr. Laura Chamness at Austin Peay State University. This project investigates the chemical composition of tattoo inks and their effects on the human skin microbiome using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and microbial growth analysis of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The study aims to improve understanding of the potential health effects and risks associated with tattoo inks while providing undergraduate chemistry students with hands-on research experience in instrumental analysis and biochemical assays. The project also supports the development of laboratory activities for undergraduate chemistry education. 

During the 2024–2025 academic year, an APSU SASI Grant of $800 was awarded to support the Molecule of the Month project in collaboration with Dr. Manisha Gupte from the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. This interdisciplinary project provided students with monthly hands-on activities and educational projects designed to strengthen the connection between chemistry and biology through collaborative learning experiences. Additional information is available in the 2024–2025 Funded SASI Proposals: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.apsu.edu/faculty-senate/documents/sasi_reports/2024-2025_Funded_SASI-Proposals.pdf 

APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded for the 2024–2025 academic year to support the project T-Shirt Tie-Dye: Learn about the Chemistry Behind Indigo Dye. This project provided students with hands-on experience in indigo tie-dyeing while introducing the chemistry of indigo dyes, color formation, and natural dyeing processes. Additional information is available in the 2024–2025 Funded SASI Proposals: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.apsu.edu/faculty-senate/documents/sasi_reports/2024-2025_Funded_SASI-Proposals.pdf 

APSU SASI Grant of $500 was awarded to support the project T-Shirt Tie-Dye: Learning the Chemistry Behind Indigo Dye during National Chemistry Week. The project provided students with hands-on activities exploring indigo dye chemistry, oxidation-reduction reactions, and the historical discovery of penicillin through podcasts and interactive learning experiences that promoted student engagement and chemical education. Additional information is available in the 2024–2025 Funded SASI Proposals 

In 2024, a $5,000 Nashville Predators Foundation Grant was awarded to support the “Lab Explorer Camp,” conducted June 24–28. The grant funded a five-day summer camp for middle school students held Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The camp provided students with interactive laboratory experiences and engaging chemistry activities designed to increase interest in STEM education. Participants explored topics such as chemical reactions, polymers, natural products, acids and bases, and everyday chemistry through hands-on experiments and team-based learning activities. The project promoted scientific curiosity, creativity, and early exposure to chemistry and STEM career pathways. 

A CoSTEM Innovative Teaching Mini-Grant of $1,000 was awarded during Fall 2024 to support the development of the course “Hair Chemistry and the Chemistry Behind Hair Dyeing” at Austin Peay State University. The course introduced students to the chemistry of hair structure, hair coloring, bleaching, and cosmetic treatments through lectures and hands-on laboratory activities. Students explored oxidation reactions, pigments, dye molecules, and cosmetic formulations while connecting chemistry concepts to real-world beauty and fashion applications. The grant supported the purchase of laboratory materials and supplies for interactive experiments designed to promote student engagement, creativity, and critical thinking in chemistry education. Additional information is available through Austin Peay State University News 

CoSTEM Innovative Teaching Mini-Grant, 2023–2024, $1,500: Collaborative research project with Samadi-Dana, S. titled “Grant Proposal for Advancing Organic and Biochemistry Education at Austin Peay State University Through Virtual Reality (VR) Technology” at Austin Peay State University. The grant supported the development and integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology into organic chemistry and biochemistry education to enhance student engagement, molecular visualization, and interactive STEM learning experiences. The project focused on improving student understanding of complex chemical structures and biochemical processes through immersive educational tools and innovative teaching strategies. Additional information about the project is available through Austin Peay State University News.

 APSU SASI Grant of $850 was awarded during the 2023-2024 academic year to support the “Molecule of the Month” project in collaboration with Dr. Manisha Gupte. The project provided monthly hands-on biology and chemistry workshops designed to increase student engagement through interdisciplinary STEM activities. Students explored the structure, function, and real-world applications of important biological and chemical molecules through interactive demonstrations, models, and educational activities. The project promoted collaboration between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry while encouraging active learning, scientific curiosity, and student participation in STEM education. Additional information is available in the 2023–2024 SASI Funded Proposals 

APSU SASI Grant of $400 was awarded during the 2023–2024 academic year to support the project “T-Shirt Tie-Dye: Learning the Chemistry Behind Cochineal Dye.” The project provided students with hands-on experiences in natural dye extraction and textile dyeing using cochineal dye obtained from dried insects through chemical extraction methods. Students learned about the chemistry of the cochineal molecule, natural dye compounds, color formation, and dye–fiber interactions while exploring the historical and cultural importance of natural dyes. Participants used the extracted red dye to create tie-dyed T-shirts while gaining practical experience in organic chemistry, natural product extraction, and sustainable dyeing techniques. The project promoted student engagement, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning through interactive chemistry activities. Additional information is available in the 2023–2024 SASI Funded Proposals 

Collaborative research project with Ashton Cromwell titled “Analysis and Synthesis of Curcumin and Its Derivatives” at Austin Peay State University. This grant supported undergraduate research involving the synthesis, purification, and analysis of curcumin derivatives while providing hands-on research training in organic chemistry techniques and instrumental analysis. 

“STEM Scholar Lunch and Learn” was supported through an APSU SASI Grant awarded during the 2022–2023 academic year at Austin Peay State University. Faculty members from different STEM departments were invited to discuss their research interests and career experiences with STEM Scholars and other students during interactive lunch sessions. The project promoted interdisciplinary STEM engagement, student mentoring, and research awareness while providing an informal learning environment with discussions centered on chemistry and STEM careers. Additional information is available in the 2021–2022 SASI Funded Proposals 

Collaborative research project with Miranda Parker titled “Analysis of Cannabis Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)” at Austin Peay State University. This grant supported undergraduate research focused on cannabis analysis using GC-MS techniques while providing students with experience in analytical chemistry, sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and compound identification. 

Research project with Dr. Leslie Hiatt and Meagan Mann titled “Quinone Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Detection of Nicotine in E-cigarettes” at Austin Peay State University. This project was supported through the APSU Research Support Grant Program and focused on the development of electrochemical detection methods for nicotine analysis in electronic cigarette products using modified carbon paste electrode technology.