The new center\u2019s fundamental scientific goals are to understand\nmulti-scale relationships, from the molecular to the macro scale, and to\nunderstand how to dictate material function through the tuning of material\ninterfaces. Basic and applied science discoveries in materials interfaces can\nimpact health, energy and the environment, and these new technological\napplications can improve lives and enhance economic potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe center will\nleverage existing research expertise at NAU in the physical, chemical and\nbiological sciences while developing new strengths in the applied sciences,\nresulting in a transformative model for performing high-impact materials research\nthat enables faculty researchers to compete on a global scale,\u201d said \u00a1MIRA! director\nand professor Jen Martinez<\/strong>, an internationally\nrecognized expert in biomaterials science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Spanish, the center\u2019s acronym\n\u00a1MIRA! means \u201clook!\u201d\u2014extending an invitation to look at the impact of materials\ninterfaces, the impact of NAU and the impact to the state of Arizona. A\nrecognition of the state\u2019s multicultural demographic makeup, the name is a deliberately\ninclusive welcoming to the students of Arizona, including underrepresented minorities\nand underrepresented populations, to consider education and career paths in\nmaterials science and STEM disciplines in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a group, 50 percent of \u00a1MIRA! leadership, core faculty\nand affiliated faculty are from underrepresented groups or are women, which\nsets a new precedent for inclusivity among materials research centers across\nthe country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith \u00a1MIRA!, our approach is to build on our intrinsic diversity\nto propel inventiveness and success, while also attracting students and unique\nfunding opportunities,\u201d Martinez said. \u201c\u00a1MIRA! will serve as a model for\nresearch excellence through an inclusive, interdisciplinary workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur vision is to inspire new approaches to solving complex\nproblems in materials research through an inclusive approach inspiring future\ngenerations of scientists and engineers,\u201d said \u00a1MIRA! chief scientist and\nprofessor of applied physics and materials science Gabriel Monta\u00f1o<\/strong>, who is of Chicano heritage and a nationally\nrecognized leader in diversity in STEM. \u201cOur mission is to create unique opportunities\nin high-impact research, education and workforce training grounded in the area\nof materials interfaces.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cutting-edge research conducted by \u00a1MIRA! will provide\npractical training opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and\npostdoctoral scholars, preparing them for next-generation STEM jobs in Arizona\nand beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are proud to launch this exciting new research\ncenter at NAU,\u201d said NAU President Rita\nCheng<\/strong>. \u201cThis is one more way NAU is demonstrating our commitment to\nremaining competitive and viable as higher education changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\ninterdisciplinary \u00a1MIRA! team includes leadership and faculty from several\ndisciplines across the university, including applied and theoretical condensed\nmatter physicists, mechanical engineers, biochemists and organic, physical and\nanalytical chemists and biologists. The center\u2019s leadership team includes Martinez,\nco-director Cindy Browder<\/strong>, professor\nof organic chemistry, and Monta\u00f1o, who welcome more interdisciplinary\nscientists to join the vibrant team and science found within \u00a1MIRA!.<\/p>\n\n\n\nResearch success through diversity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u00a1MIRA!\nleadership, <\/strong>faculty drawn from several disciplines<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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