Congratulations to Dr. Cizdziel for a $217,163 NSF MRI grant award to acquire an advanced FTIR microscope for research and education.  This powerful analytical tool provides useful information on molecular structure, surface characteristics, and the spatial distribution of chemicals in samples. Dr. Cizdziel (PI) will use it to identify microplastics in environmental and biological samples to better understand their sources and fate in the environment.  Faculty from five different departments will use the equipment to advance their research and to integrate it their undergraduate and graduate courses.  The instrument will be available sometime this fall.   Co-PIs include Drs. Freiwald, Roper, Raman, and D’Alessio.