ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University been awarded a $1.27 million grant from the National Science Foundation for research and education in astrophysics.
South Carolina State University began the study of astrophysics over twenty years ago.
The research project will be a collaborative effort with South Carolina State University, Clemson University, the University of the Virgin Islands and Villanova University.
The universities will share resources, personnel and experiences for students and faculty.
“It shows that, number one HBCUs can do competitive science and we don’t have the big programs,” said Dr. Walter. “We don't have the big equipment that other schools do but we can compete, and we can participate in science.”
Doctor Donald Walter is the physics academic program coordinator at South Carolina State University and will be the principal investigator for this project. He says this research project is a major undertaking.
“We’ll be producing massive data sets which will require more than astronomers,” said Dr. Walter. “It requires computer science, data science people to analyze.”
The research project is expected will be completed in August of 2027.