WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) released the following statement celebrating a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for over $730,000 awarded to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The grant will finance a project to study chytridiomycosis, a disease that causes dramatic losses of amphibian biodiversity in Nevada and around the world. The project will also broaden participation for young women in STEM through training and research engagement.
“We welcome this grant to study the loss of amphibian biodiversity and gain a better understanding of infectious diseases in Nevada,” said the Senators. “This project will also take an important step in helping young women pursue a STEM education through the implementation of its ‘20 in 2020’ program by mentoring 20 young women in their pursuit of a science degree. This funding helps to better care for Nevada’s delicate ecosystem and fulfilling our responsibility of working to encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM.”
BACKGROUND: The UNR study will combine cutting-edge experiments with field studies on host defense mechanisms in three species of amphibians. Education and outreach activities will be an integral part of the proposed project, helping to increase awareness of young women in science and the importance of advancing our understanding of infectious disease.
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