AUA receives $1.8mln USAID/ASHA grant to establish advanced biology,  life and environmental sciences lab

ArmInfo. The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce receipt of the  notification of a $1.8 million grant award from the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The grant is for the establishment of the AUA  Advanced Biology, Life and Environmental Sciences Lab (ABLE Lab).  This addition will develop a research-oriented educational culture at  the intersection of life and environmental sciences, further  strengthening the University's existing capacity in data and computer  sciences.

"This is the largest single USAID/ASHA grant we have received in the  history of the University. We are truly honored by USAID/ASHA's trust  in our University's mission and confidence in our institutional  capacity to manage major grants effectively and efficiently. This  certainly motivates us to continue expanding our academic offerings  and amplifying our impact across Armenia," said AUA President Dr.   Bruce Boghosian.

The USAID/ASHA-supported ABLE Lab will serve as an example of an  ecosystem integrating education and scientific research. The funding  from USAID/ASHA, supplemented by AUA's own resources, will facilitate  the creation of a dedicated laboratory, the procurement of  cutting-edge equipment, and the establishment of a research  environment compliant with United States bioethical and regulatory  standards.

"We are thrilled to receive this grant, which marks a pivotal moment  for our academic community. The ABLE Lab will not only enhance our  capacity for frontline research, but also foster collaboration among  students, faculty, and international scholars; it will function as  one very significant stepping stone toward AUA's next chapter. In its  capacity to help us integrate advanced technologies and  methodologies, the Lab will facilitate the process of addressing  critical challenges in life and environmental sciences. This  initiative reflects our commitment to promoting innovation and  excellence in education, and we look forward to the transformative  impact it will have on our students and the wider community in  Armenia," assured AUA Provost Dr. Alina Gharabegian.

The Lab will support multiple advanced hands-on courses and serve as  a collaborative space for students, faculty, and other researchers to  work together on a variety of interdisciplinary projects. It will  provide a broad range of expertise and services to stimulate  engagement in scientific research and discovery, including training  in super-resolution microscopy and other advanced bioimaging  techniques, as well as assistance with proper data acquisition,  analysis, and publication of findings. Faculty responsible for the  ABLE Lab affirm that this initiative will grow the skills and tools  necessary for researchers to address sustainability challenges in  both natural and human-made environments as well as support  biotechnology- driven startups. The full operation of the ABLE Lab  will thus create opportunities for increased participation in joint  projects with U.S. scholars and institutions, while growing the  knowledge and tools for working in multidisciplinary, multicultural  settings to address environmental challenges, such as climate change,  on national, regional, and global scales.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a  private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia,  affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the  WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States.  AUA provides local and international students with Western-style  education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and  certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages  civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic  values.