Manning receives NSF Awards Grant

Valdosta State University's Dr. Thomas Manning is one of eight scientists who will share a $620,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for further research of a cancer drug. The grant entitled "Acquisition of Equipment for Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope with Applications in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Engineering," is for further research into the fundamentals and applied studies with nanostructures and nanoparticles, which are materials that are a 100,000 times smaller than a human hair.

Dr. Thomas Manning, professor in the Chemistry Department who worked with the late Dr. Linda Chamberlin of the VSU Biology Department, is working on the cancer drug bryostatin. The grant will allow more research into the role of nanoparticles that play a role in the production of this cancer drug, which cost several million dollars to produce. The purpose of this research is to find an inexpensive way to produce this drug so its use can expand.

"We anticipate that this award will allow us to continue to uncover new knowledge, both fundamental and applied in nature. It should also serve as an excellent tool for VSU students to work on cutting edge projects" Manning said.