The Center for Science, Technology, Ethics & Society (C-STES) at MSU supports interdisciplinary research collaborations.  Research Incubation Awards (RIAs) support activities that will lead to the development or submission of a competitive external grant proposal aligned with MSU grand challenges (research that will have significant social benefit, particularly for underserved populations). 

2024 Recipients

Participatory systems mapping to explore pathways toward Indigenous food sovereignty with Senegalesesmallholder farmers

Wan-Yuan Kuo Laura Black
Dr. Wan-Yuan Kuo (Health & Human Development) Dr. Laura Black (Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship)

Dr. Kuo and Dr. Black will conduct participatory systems mapping with their partnering farmers in Senegal to identify pathways to a holistic business model that supports sustainable agriculture and women's entrepreneurship. Since 2018, they have worked with the smallholder women farmers in Ndangane village in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, to support Indigenous food sovereignty. Their partnership has co-created two value-added food products with local and Indigenous crops and provided food processing and business training to over 30 women farmers. This partnership has drawn the attention of the African Development Bank, which chose Ndangane as a site for building a community food factory, furthering value-added agriculture and women's entrepreneurship in the region. Specifically, they propose to use participatory systems mapping to answer two questions: (1) How has their technical assistance impacted the farmers’ attitudes toward agricultural development and gender roles, and (2) How can they engage in an ethical, culturally sensitive dialogue with the farmers to envision a long-term path toward Indigenous food sovereignty, utilizing the strength of women’s entrepreneurship?

2023 RIA Recipients

Understanding the Impacts of Tech Layoffs on Minority Workers and Students

Sheehey Whitaker
Dr. Bonnie Sheehey (History and Philosophy) Dr. Bradley Whitaker (Electrical & Computer Engineering)

This project will identify limitations in current data and evaluate alternatives for generating better data about 
obstacles facing women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs and employees in STEM industries. Improved data will increase understanding of how to broaden participation, inclusivity, and equity in STEM education and employment. 

3D Printed Multiplex Microfluidic Electrochemical Biosensors for Early Cancer Diagnosis

Cao Johnson McCalla
Dr. Yang Cao (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering) Dr. Elizabeth Johnson (Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing) Dr. Stephanie McCalla (Chemical and Biological Engineering)

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and Montana (like other rural areas) has an increased mortality rate because of limited accessibility to expensive diagnosis equipment (e.g., CT scan, laboratory tests). This project aims to develop low-cost, high-sensitivity electrochemical biosensors for early cancer diagnosis and work with local hospitals to meet this need.