Professor Curtis Shannon and assistant professor Christopher Easley, both of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and associate professor Virginia Davis of the Department of Chemical Engineering, are part of an National Science Foundation-funded math and science education partnership led by Shaik Jeelani of Tuskegee University titled, "The NanoBio Partnership for Alabama's Black Belt Region." The Auburn researchers were awarded $550,000 over five years for teacher training and curriculum development that focuses on the interface between nano-science and biology. Other partners in the grant include Alabama State University, the University of Alabama (Birmingham and Tuscaloosa campuses) as well as Central Alabama, Enterprise, Shelton State, Wallace State and Wallace State at Selma Community Colleges.