Approval to purchase a Thermo Fisher Scientific Apreo 2 S LoVac scanning electron microscope using USDA grant funds. This piece of equipment would be located at the Atwood Research Facility, and it would be used by faculty, staff, and students in the College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences at Kentucky State University.

This scanning electron microscope would be used to conduct agricultural research for several research projects. More specifically, it would be used to examine: 1) soil particles and soil microbial activity as they pertain to water-holding capacity and overall soil health, 2) pathogens in water and food, 3) mechanisms by which bees are infected with pathogens, 4) coronavirus particle presence, 5) the development and destruction of cancer cells following novel treatments for cancer, and 6) a range of applications in plant science. This microscope would also be used in aquaculture research for identifying aqueous animal parts and biological materials, as well as characterizing the biodiversity of biomedea and biofilters. Moreover, the equipment would offer the opportunity for students to be trained in these new advanced technologies, thus supporting efforts to make students ready for the workforce.

$580,681 of federal USDA research grant funds would be used to purchase the Apreo 2 S LoVac scanning electron microscope. The purchase of this device would also require approval from the USDA and the Kentucky Finance Cabinet following approval by the KSU Board of Regents.

Interim President Ronald A. Johnson recommends that the Board of Regents approve the purchase of the Apreo 2 S LoVac scanning electron microscope.

Approve the purchase of an Apreo 2 S LoVac scanning electron microscope using USDA funds.