Drury professor nets $450K federal research grant

Drury University announced today that John Kiernicki, an assistant professor of chemistry, recently received a National Science Foundation research grant worth $449,297.

The grant covers a five-year period, beginning in August, according to a Drury news release. The funding goes toward Kiernicki’s study of methods to change the strength of hydrogen bond interactions. These interactions are known to provide the structure for DNA, the molecule providing hereditary material in humans and almost all other living organisms.

Drury officials said they believe Kiernicki’s award, part of NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program, is the largest grant received by a single professor in the university’s 153-year history.

National Science Foundation officials say on the organization’s website that the program grants are among NSF’s “most prestigious awards” in support of professors at the beginning of their careers, intended to “build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.” Drury officials said in their news release that the award must be put toward creating research opportunities for students.

“Dr. Kiernicki's NSF research grant is a remarkable achievement that reflects both his exceptional scholarship and his unwavering dedication to student success,” Drury Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Beth Harville said in the release. 

Kiernicki started at Drury in 2021 and earned a chemistry Ph.D. from Purdue University, according to Drury’s website. The recognition of his research, Kiernicki said, is validation for Drury and its chemistry program and the undergraduate research students in his lab.

“It’s proof that you can do high-quality science while still focusing on our mission of training students,” Kiernicki said in the release. “From a student recruitment perspective, this will be an opportunity to reach even more students and help them reach the best graduate schools and professional schools to help them build a career.”

The grant allows Drury to purchase up to $200,000 of new equipment, in addition to providing research stipends for both Kiernicki and his research students, beginning next summer.

“Our professors are always encouraged to seek out grants,” Drury Director of University Communications and Media Relations Cris Belvin told SBJ in an email today. “As far as how it fits our mission, Drury is constantly looking for ways to improve the student experience and better prepare them for life after college. It's all a part of our goal for personalized education in a challenging, supportive environment.”