A Nanostep Towards Building a Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research and Educational Program between the US and South Africa

Clark Atlanta University’s (CAU) Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials (CFNM) is developing transatlantic and interdisciplinary nanoscience research and education collaborations with South African Institutions. CAU is an Historically Black University in the US and is committed to rectifying the underrepresentation of African American participation in science and technology (STEM), and in the global economy. Nanoscience, which deals with materials up to ~100 nm in size, is intrinsically interdisciplinary and benefits from inter institutional collaboration. CFNM conducted a pilot International Research Experience for Undergraduates (IREU) with iThemba LABS and the African Laser Centre in South Africa. In June-July 2009, 5 STEM students did laboratory and theoretical research to create gold/polymer composite nanostructures that may function in nanobiosensors. Students, with Center faculty, had an enriching 8 weeks experience at CAU and in South Africa, where they met and collaborated with scientists and students from various South African Institutions and from all over Africa.