FSU faculty team awarded $393K NSF grant to advance student research in biology

By Staff Report, posted Sep 3, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

*Dr. Tomilowo Abijo, Dr. Willietta Gibson, and Dr. Jiazheng Yuan (Photos by FSU)*

A faculty team at Fayetteville State University (FSU) has received a three-year, $393,641 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop new opportunities for biology students to participate in authentic research on genetic engineering and computer-based biology.

The project—called the Genetic Engineering and Computational Biology (GECoB) initiative—is led by Dr. Tomilowo Abijo, Assistant Professor (Principal Investigator), with co-leaders Dr. Willietta Gibson, Assistant Professor (Co-Principal Investigator) and Dr. Jiazheng Yuan, Associate Professor (Co-Principal Investigator). It will incorporate research projects directly into biology courses, providing students with opportunities to work with advanced tools and methods employed by scientists in the field.

The goals include:

Training 90% of participating students to design and conduct scientific experiments—from asking research questions to testing ideas and drawing conclusions.
Teaching 90% of students how to use tools such as DNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, gene cloning, PCR testing, immunochemistry, and computer-based modeling.
Keeping 90% of participants motivated and engaged in their science studies, as measured by the Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) survey.
Increasing faculty research and teaching productivity by 25–50% through greater student involvement in hands-on work.

“This grant will bring inquiry-based projects into both introductory and upper-level biology courses, giving students early exposure to real-world research and preparing them for careers in STEM,” said Dr. Abijo in a press release. “Students will gain in-demand skills such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, gene cloning, DNA sequencing, and machine learning, along with their applications in biological and biomedical research. These experiences will boost readiness for graduate studies, improve competitiveness in biotechnology careers, reduce student attrition in the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences, and strengthen faculty teaching and research—ultimately enhancing the quality of biology education at FSU.”

This grant supports FSU’s mission to prepare the next generation of scientists—particularly students from underrepresented backgrounds—by giving them valuable, real-world research experience in fast-growing areas of science.

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