Delaware researcher gets Department of Defense grant funds

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded a $175,000 grant to a Delaware State University professor to fund advanced optics research.

Dr. Hacene Boukari will use the funds to to acquire a fluorescence correlation spectrometer.

The new, world-class spectrometer will be an upgrade in the capabilities of the school’s Optical Science Center for Applied Research. The device will be used to study physical and chemical phenomena as well as biological functions almost down to the single-particle level.

“It will impel the research activities of my group, which focuses on understanding the fundamental properties of intramolecular processes in fluorescent molecules,” Boukari said.

DSU’s optics program are a major source of pride for the university.

“I am very excited about this award,” said Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, vice president for research, innovation and development at DSU. “It is another strong testament from the Department of Defense to the quality of research we are pursuing at Delaware State University.”

Melikechi has been instrumental in creating and expanding the school’s optics program. Under his watch, optics researchers at DSU assisted NASA’s efforts to study the surface of Mars through the Curiosity rover.