Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer - Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (ITMS) carry a heavy weight to the buildup of the critical mass of biomedical research infrastructure in Hampton University (HU) and in the area. In addition to facilitating biomedical research activities and enhancing research productivities, this instrument will enhance educational outcomes in our newly established bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Science minor program in addition to our legacy bachelor’s degree in chemistry. The ITMS is one of the mass platforms known for its ultimate robustness, ruggedness, and reliability for high throughput screening of small or large biomolecules in many samples every day. In combination with ease-of use benchtop nature, it will significantly facilitate the research in basic, translational, biomedical related behavioral fields. The ITMS will invigorate current biomedical research, contribute to the success of HU' long-range biomedical research goals to prepare graduate to be leaders in biomedical research, and to enhance research productivity in the biomedical sciences. In addition, students with undergraduate and graduate programs in Chemistry, and in our newly established degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree program will benefit from access to the instrument in formal courses. The goals of this program are 1) To enhance the research productivities in biomedical sciences and facilitate the collaboration of faculty researchers across the discipline in HU campus and in the area. 2) To germinate innovative ideas and generate preliminary data for increased research proposal submission and publications. 3) To enhance the educational outcome of students in our newly established bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Science minor program in addition to our legacy bachelor’s degree in chemistry with goals in improving educational outcomes by incorporating instrument-based learning in multiple science programs and broadening participation in research, in STEM fields. ITMS will be housed in a dedicated shared instrument facility to allow open access. A dedicated laboratory manager, alone with Pl will maintain and operate the equipment. HU is committed to providing funding necessary to support the post-award operation of the instrument. An Advisory Committee will be established to formulate a plan and to implement protocol in use, training personnel and maintenance. In addition, the Advisory Committee will disseminate information of the instrument availability through the university website to promote broad access to ITMS for researchers, students from HU and her area. In summary, ITMS will increase research capacities and enhance the new research activities and productivities in the region. The student in degree programs in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, engineering and other biomedical related areas will benefit from a hands-on research-based education from this instrument. The acquisition of the ITMS will expand HU’s research capacity, support high-impact scientific training, and advance institutional efforts to prepare a skilled and talent biomedical research workforce in alignment with federal priorities.
