Chemistry, Biology, and Materials

Program Description

This program range is as diverse as the geographical area covered, with research focus areas best captured in AFOSR’s current BAA. However, there is special emphasis placed on the unique investigations primarily found in Mexico, South and Central America - due either to their wealth of expertise (materials research) or in the rare geographical phenomena found within (Antarctic extremophiles, high altitude research, etc.).

Current areas of funding (research interest is not limited to these fields):
• Chemistry: Research of supramolecular architects, non-destructive surface characterization techniques, chloride-doped temperature-dependent crystal structures, and biochemical mitrochondrial transfer mechanisms
• Biology: Inquiry into extremophile enzymes and mechanisms of survival evolution, virus specific promotor sequences for detection, and retinal sensor mechanisms
• Materials: Efforts into novel materials and computational modeling efforts for damage evolution/prediction, energy harvesting, interface/interphase frameworks, and micro/macroscale linkages

Grant Opportunity: FA9550-19-S-0003

About SOARD

SOARD, the smallest of AFOSR’s international offices, was established in 2007 to engage the rapidly emerging Latin American scientific community. Located within the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile, SOARD promotes scientific advancements of interest to the US Air Force by conducting research with the leading scientists of Mexico, Central and South America in partnership with AFRL researchers. In FY20, SOARD managed a total of 46 scientific projects with 36 research institutions in Latin America. Because of its unique location within a US Embassy, SOARD also supports the Dept of State mission by promoting S&T cooperation with government funding agencies, and supporting DoD bi-lateral S&T forums in the region. Similar to its sister offices of AOARD and EOARD, SOARD is co-located with the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) and the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) – Americas.

Program Officer: Dr. Stacy M. Manni

POC: Ms. Katty Maldonado
SOARD Executive Officer
Phone: +56 2 2330 3139
Email:
CienciaAmericaLatina@state.gov
LatinAmericaScience@state.gov