In the College of Health, Science and Technology at UIS, we combine cutting-edge research, hands-on learning and expert mentorship to prepare students for successful careers in healthcare, science, and technology fields. Our faculty and students partner with industry leaders, academic institutions, and community organizations to drive innovation and solve real-world challenges.
Located in Springfield, we welcome collaboration with partners across Illinois and the nation who share our mission to advance health, science, and technology for a stronger global community. We invest in student research. Internal grants, conference travel, upgraded labs, and dedicated proposal support keep our scholars on the cutting edge — and bring fresh insights back to the classroom.
Grant and Funding Highlights
Faculty in CHST secured more than $1 million in external and internal support last year, fueling cutting-edge research, student opportunities, and new infrastructure.
- $30,000 - AI Summer Camp
- $1.53 million - NSF Proposals (pending review)
- 1 GPU Cluster - New Infrastructure Awards
Awarded Grants
AI Summer Camp
PI: Dr. Elham Buxton - INN Sustaining Illinois
Week-long camp introducing AI fundamentals to underrepresented high school students.
AIDAC
PIs: Dr. Sunshin Lee, Dr. Elham Buxton, Dr. Yanhui Guo
Launching the Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics Center to accelerate interdisciplinary breakthroughs.
GPU Award
High-performance GPUs awarded to power deep-learning coursework and research by the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot.
National Science Foundation Proposals
AI and Microelectronics Summer Program for Aspiring, Resourceful Kids (AIM-SPARK)
Amount requested: $150 K
Program: NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL 22-626)
Lead PI: Dr. Elham Buxton
Partners: Illinois State University, Lincoln Library (Springfield), The Outlet Illinois
Goal: Residential summer experience introducing middle-school students—especially those from under-represented groups—to foundational concepts in AI and microelectronics through hands-on projects and mentoring.
EducateAIM – Bridging the Gap in AI & Microelectronics Teacher Education Across Illinois
Amount requested: $690 K
Track: NSF Medium RPP (High-School Strand)
Lead PI: Dr. Elham Buxton
Collaborators: UIS, Illinois State University, Discover Partner Institute
Goal: Create a statewide professional-development pipeline that equips high-school teachers with curricula, micro-lab kits, and mentorship to deliver cutting-edge AI and microelectronics content in classrooms.
Beginnings: EmPOWER – Embracing Physical AI for Workforce Education with Robotics
Role: Co-PI (Dr. Buxton)
Amount: TBD (full budget under development)
Consortium: Illinois State University, University of Illinois Springfield, Heartland Community College (Normal), Richland Community College (Decatur)
Goal: Scale an affordable robotics platform and blended-learning curriculum that prepares community-college and K-12 learners for emerging careers in physical AI, automation, and advanced manufacturing.