CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $800,805 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a research project through the West Virginia University Research Corporation. The research will combine research and education by recruiting underrepresented students in STEM fields for research and creating lesson plans for high school biology students in rural schools where students will design hypotheses based on a set of guided questions on a parasitic orchid species native to Appalachia.

“WVU continues to be on the forefront of medical research and technology in our country. It’s great to see this funding headed to WVU to support their horticultural research abilities, while also helping students better-understand native plant life in Appalachia. I’m thankful for the National Science Foundation’s continued support of educational initiatives in the Mountain State,” Senator Capito said.

“The National Science Foundation is great partner for West Virginia and our universities, and I am pleased the NSF is investing in another research project at West Virginia University. This project will serve as an educational opportunity for high school students in West Virginia, especially in rural communities where recruitment to STEM is low, and will recruit underrepresented students in STEM including first generation college students. Providing students with research opportunities will help engage our students in STEM and prepare them for careers in the current economy. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this research project and will continue to support funding for programs that enhance West Virginia students’ learning opportunities,” said Senator Manchin.

# # #