The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust recently awarded $15,000 to University of Puget Sound as part of the foundation's Partners in Science program. The grant is supporting a collaborative project between Puget Sound chemistry professor Steven Neshyba (pictured) and Lincoln High School teacher Natalie Reszka who are working on research together throughout this summer.

“This grant will support an exciting research project and spark an important new connection in our local science education community, and it represents the latest collaboration between Puget Sound and two of our closest partners—M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and Tacoma Public Schools,” said Puget Sound President Isiaah Crawford.

Neshyba and Reszka are studying the mechanism of ice crystal growth using scanning electron microscopy. The research will lead to new insights into how ice crystals in clouds regulate Earth’s climate.

2019 marks the 30th year of M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust’s participation in the program. Additionally, the trust hosts an annual national conference where teachers present their research results and network with educators from across the United States.

“Our goals are to provide teachers with hands-on research experience, improve science education, and change the habits of teaching to be more inquiry focused,” said Moses Lee, senior program director for scientific research and enrichment programs at the trust. “We are honored to be involved with such a vital program at University of Puget Sound.”