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Recent Funding for Research in the Schmale Lab

















Projects starting in FY 2020

Foroutan, H., Schmale, D.G., Ross, S, Gonzalez-Martin, C., and Griffin, D. $1,031,886. NASA ROSES. Multiscale Investigation of Microbial Biodiversity in Trans-Atlantic Dust Plumes. 8/13/2020 to 08/2023. Co-Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G., Jacquemin, S., and Wetsrick, J. $125,574. NSF. RAPID: Targeted Sampling of a Harmful Algal Bloom in Lake Anna, VA with Aerial and Aquatic Robots. 3/1/2020-8/31/2021. Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G. $28,290. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2020 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2020 to 06/2021. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $150,652. USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 06/2020 to 05/2021. Principal investigator. Renewal.

















Projects starting in FY 2019

Schmale, D.G., Ross, S, Red, E., Mallari, K., and Wolyniak, M. $1,186,084. NSF HDR DSC. Engaging Undergraduates in Data and Decisions Research at the Engineering/Biology Interface. 10/1/2019 to 08/2022. Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G., Ross, S, Foroutan, H., and Stewart, N. $498,708. USDA NIFA BRAG. Tracking the long-distance transport of wind-dispersed pollen from GE switchgrass and hemp using unmanned air-craft systems (UASs) and a large eddy simulation (LES) model. 09/1/2019 to 08/2022. Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G., Foroutan, H., Kochersberger, K., Marr, L., Ross, S.D., Saad, W., Scott, D., Woolsey, C., Ault, A., Steiner, A., Westrick, J., Pinto, J., Jung, S., Lermusiaux, P., Baisden, T., and Wood, S. $150,000. ICTAS TOP. Transport and Fate of Harmful Algal Blooms. 07/2019 to 06/2021. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $10,000. CALS and SPES, Virginia Tech. Research on a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) at Lake Anna. 08/2019 to 06/2020. Principal investigator. 









Schmale, D.G. $27,519. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2019 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2019 to 06/2020. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $67,829. USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 06/2019 to 05/2020. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., Ross, S.D., and Foroutan, H. $10,000. ICTAS Diversity and Inclusion. Year 2: Engaging and Recruiting Undergraduate Students from HBCUs in Biological Transport Research at Virginia Tech. 10/2019 to 06/2020. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $8,000. NSF REU. Research Experience for Undergraduate Student from HBCU Morehouse College. 05/2019 to 09/2019. Principal investigator.

















Projects starting in FY 2018

Schmale, D.G., Jung, S, and Boreyko, J. $498,708. USDA NIFA. Liberation and Dispersal of Wheat Pathogens by Rain Splash and Jumping-Droplet Condensation. 03/2018 to 0/2021. Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G. $82,000. USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 06/2018 to 05/2019. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., Ault, A., Saad, A., Scott, D., and Westrick, J. $20,000. Virginia Tech College of Ag and Life Sciences. Partnerships to Sense and Respond to Harmful Algal Blooms and Improve Cyberbiosecurity of Water Systems. 07/2018 to 06/2019. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. and Ross, S.D. $10,000. ICTAS Diversity and Inclusion. Engaging Undergraduate Students from Three HBCUs in Biological Transport Research at Virginia Tech. 10/2018 to 06/2019. Principal investigator.


















Schmale, D.G. $25,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2018 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2018 to 06/2019. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $10,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of multiple mycotoxins in Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2018 to 06/2019. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G., Stevens, A., Pruden, A., and Vikesland, P. $30,000. Fralin Life Sciences. Develop GSS Concept Area, MicroFEWHS. 07/2018 to 06/2019. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G., Thomason, W., and Griffey, C. $4,000. Fralin Life Sciences, SmartFarm Initiative. Monitoring Plant Health with a FarmBot. 01/2018 to 06/2018. Principal investigator.

















Projects starting in FY 2017

Schmale, D.G., Ross, S., and Foroutan, H. $10,000. ICTAS, Data and Decisions. Data from flying sensors and modeling efforts to help identify and respond to hazards following hurricanes. 11/2017 to 06/2018. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G., and Grothe, H. $10,000. ICTAS. IRES Seed Proposal: Undergraduate Research in Austria on Ice Nucleation. 10/2017 to 06/2018. Principal investigator. 









Schmale, D.G., and Stevens, A. $10,000. Fralin Life Sciences. Identify Overlap and Further Develop GSS Concept Areas, MicroFEWH and Antimicrobial Resistance. 08/2017 to 06/2018. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $25,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2017 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2017 to 06/2018. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $10,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in Virginia Wheat and Barley. 07/2017 to 06/2018. Principal investigator. 









Schmale, D.G., Clark-Deener, S., De Vita., R., Knight, J., and Rhoads, M. $200,000. Pratt Foundation. Mycotoxin-contaminated ethanol co-products as swine feed: Clinical Signs, diagnosis, and return to reproductive health. 7/2017-7/2019. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $183,659. USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 06/2017 to 05/2018. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., and Wolyniak, M. $4,000. Fralin-ISCE. Ethics at the Intersection of Biology and Engineering at Virginia Tech and Hampden-Sydney College. 01/2017 to 06/2017. Principal investigator. 

















Projects starting in FY 2016

Tokekar, P., and Schmale, D.G. $900,835. NSF. NRI: Coordinated Detection and Tracking of Hazardous Agents with Aerial and Aquatic Robots to Inform Emergency Responders. 10/2016-9/2019. Co-Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G., and Ross, S. $10,000. ICTAS. INTERTUBE: INTdisciplinary Education and Research to Transform Biology and Engineering. 11/2016 to 06/2017. Principal investigator.










Schuerger, A, Christner, B., Jaffe, D., Lipp, E., Schmale, D.G., Smith, D., Warwrik, B., Yu, H., Griffin, D., Burrows, S., and Gonzalez-Martin, C. $180,846. A Transoceanic Aerobiology Biodiversity Study (TABS) to Characterize Microorganisms in Asian and African Dust Plumes Reaching North America. NASA. 5/2016-10/2017. Co-Investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $27,319. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2016 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2016 to 06/2017. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $22,619. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of mycotoxins in Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2016 to 06/2017. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $68,413.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2016 to 04/2017. Principal investigator. Renewal.

















Projects starting in FY 2015


Peacock, T., Shadden, S., Rypina, I., Lermusiaux, P., Ross, S, Schmale, D., Woolsey, C.,  Kirincich, A., and Gawarkiewicz, G. $2,677,195. NSF. HAZARDS SEES: Uncovering the hidden skeleton of environmental flows:  advanced Lagrangian methods for hazard prediction, mitigation, and response. 9/2015-8/2019. Co-Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G. $30,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2015 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2015 to 06/2016. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $6,795. Virginia Small Grains Board. Supplement for Mycotoxin Testing Services at Virginia Tech. 07/2015 to 06/2016. Principal investigator. 









Schmale, D.G. $22,885. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of Mycotoxins and Analysis of Breakdown Products in Virginia Small Grains. 07/2015 to 06/2016. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $21,885. Virginia Small Grains Board. Improving the Management of FHB through Increased Understanding of How the Pathogen Produces Its Spores. 07/2015 to 06/2016. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $9,500. Virginia Small Grains Board. Rapid Detection of Mycotoxins in Small Grains Using New Portable on Farm Instrumentation. 07/2015 to 06/2016. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $80,027.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2015 to 04/2016. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., and Senger, R. $40,429.USDA-USWBSI. Enzymatic detoxification of deoxynivalenol. 05/2015 to 04/2016. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., Ross, S., and Marr, L. $5,000. ICTAS. Development of mobile sensor towers to sample hazardous agents from the atmosphere. 1/2015 to 06/2015. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G., Ross, S., Jung., S., Mueller, R., and Marr, L. $6,000. ICTAS. A shared-use high speed video camera for monitoring aerosol dynamics. 1/2015 to 06/2015. Principal investigator.


















Projects starting in FY 2014

Schmale, D.G.  and Lally, D. $20,000. ISCE. A unit for advanced secondary school students to explore the intersection between ethics and autonomous vehicle systems. 9/2014 to 06/2015. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G.  and Vikesland, P. $15,000. ICTAS. Toward the development and delivery of nanoparticle-­based assays for mycotoxin detection. 11/2014 to 06/2015. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $21,808. Virginia Small Grains Board. Improving the Management of FHB through an Increased Understanding of How the Pathogen Releases its Spores. 07/2014 to 06/2015. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $22,308. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol, DON), a Contaminant of Virginia Small Grains. 07/2014 to 06/2015. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $26,619. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2014 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2014 to 06/2015. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G., and Senger, R. $40,429.USDA-USWBSI. Enzymatic detoxification of deoxynivalenol. 05/2014 to 04/2015. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $64,056.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2014 to 04/2015. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Projects starting in FY 2013

Schmale, D.G. $45,000. ICTAS. Optimization of surface plasmon resonance for pathogen detection. 01/14-12/14. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $26,430. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2013 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2013 to 06/2014. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Schmale, D.G. $18,717. Virginia Small Grains Board. Detoxification of Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol, DON), a Contaminant of Virginia Small Grains. 07/2013 to 06/2014. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $64,056.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2013 to 04/2014. Principal investigator. Renewal.









Projects starting in FY 2012

Christner, B., Vinatzer, B., Schmale, D.G., Weber, C., Morris, C., and Sands, D. $1,997,876. NSF. Research on Airborne Ice-Nucleating Species (RAINS). 1/1/13 to 12/31/16. Co-Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G. $26,298. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2012 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2012 to 06/2013. Principal investigator. Renewal.










Schmale, D.G. $20,477. Virginia Small Grains Board. Tracking the long distance transport of the fungus that causes FHB in wheat and barley. 07/2012 to 06/2013. Principal investigator. Renewal.










Schmale, D.G. $64,523.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2012 to 04/2013. Principal investigator. Renewal.










Projects starting in FY 2011




Ross, S. and Schmale, D.G. $429,931. NSF. Dynamical mechanisms influencing the population structure of airborne pathogens: Theory and observations.  09/2011 to 08/2014. Co-Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G., and Woolsey, C. $120,000. ICTAS. Real-time detection and tracking of biological threat agents in the lower atmosphere using autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles.  07/2011 to 07/2013. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $21,429. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2011 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2011 to 06/2012. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $18,500. Virginia Small Grains Board. Tracking the long distance transport of the fungus that causes Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley. 07/2011 to 06/2012. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $60,000.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2011 to 04/2012. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $11,250. Virginia Agricultural Council. Strategies to reduce toxin levels in barley grain and feed and food products. 07/2011 to 06/2012. Principal investigator. Renewal.


















Projects starting in FY 2010




Stremler, M., Davalos, R., Ross, S., Schmale, D.G., and Cimini, D. (PIs) and 15 participants. $3,000,000. NSF. IGERT-MultiScale Transport in Environmental & Physiological Systems (MultiSTEPS). 8/2010 to 7/2015. Co-Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G., and Griffey, C.A. $71,238. BBRC, USDA-CSREES. Improving barley for fuel ethanol production and reducing mycotoxins in barley ethanol co-products destined for animal feed and human food. 04/2010 to 04/2012. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G., and Woolsey, C. $20,000. VT-CALS. Toward real-time detection and tracking of biological threat agents in the lower atmosphere.  11/2010 to 06/2011. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $21,315. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2011 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 07/2010 to 06/2011. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $16,695. Virginia Small Grains Board. New and updated online resources for the management of wheat and barley diseases in Virginia. 07/2010 to 06/2011. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $66,605.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2010 to 04/2011. Principal investigator. Renewal.










Bergstrom, G.C., Schmale, D.G., Bradley, C.A., Sweets, L.E., & Wegulo, S.N. $50,000. USDA- USWBSI. Within-field inoculum from corn debris and the management of FHB/DON. 05/2010 to 04/2011. Co-Principal Investigator. Renewal.










Schmale, D.G. $22,400. USDA-USWBSI. Mycotoxin potential and aggressiveness of FHB pathogens used for USWBSI research. 05/2010 to 04/2011. Principal investigator. Renewal.










Schmale, D.G. $11,250. Virginia Agricultural Council. Strategies to reduce toxin levels in barley grain and feed and food products. 07/2010 to 06/2011. Principal investigator.

















Projects starting in FY 2009




Schmale, D.G., and Ross, S. $413,476. NSF. Atmospheric transport barriers and the biological invasion of toxigenic fungi in the genus Fusarium.  08/2009 to 07/2012. Principal investigator.
Click here to access the abstract for the project










Schmale, D.G. $20,450. Virginia Small Grains Board. FY2009 mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 7/01/2009 to 06/19/2010. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $66,605.USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2009 to 04/2010. Principal investigator.









Bergstrom, G.C., Schmale, D.G., Bradley, C.A., Sweets, L.E., & Wegulo, S.N. $50,000. USDA- USWBSI. Within-field inoculum from corn debris and the management of FHB/DON. 05/2009 to 04/2010. Co-Principal Investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $22,400. USDA-USWBSI. Mycotoxin potential and aggressiveness of FHB pathogens used for USWBSI research. 05/2009 to 04/2010. Principal investigator.









Kochersberger, K., and Schmale, D.G. $18,307. VaCAS/ICTAS. Investigation of source localization techniques using unmanned aircraft for chemical, biological and nuclear blast release. 01/2009 to 05/2009. Co-Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $13,846. Virginia Small Grains Board. Influence of crop residues and disease resistance on FHB in Virginia wheat. 7/01/2009 to 06/19/2010. Principal investigator.












Projects starting in FY 2008




Schmale, D.G. $48,000. USDA-USWBSI. Diagnostic testing services for deoxynivalenol in the eastern U.S. 05/2008 to 04/2009. Principal investigator.










Bergstrom, G.C., and Schmale, D.G. $41,000. USDA-USWBSI. Relative contribution of within-field versus immigrant inoculum to FHB infection. 05/2007 to 04/2008. Co-Principal Investigator.










Bergstrom, G.C., and Schmale, D.G. $39,000. USDA-USWBSI. Relative contribution of within-field inoculum to FHB infection. 05/2008 to 04/2009. Co-Principal investigator. 





Schmale, D.G. $13,188. Virginia Small Grains Board. Influence of crop residues and disease resistance on FHB in Virginia wheat. 7/01/2008 to 06/19/2009. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $17,188. Virginia Small Grains Board. Mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 7/01/2008 to 06/19/2009. Principal investigator.

















Projects starting in FY 2007




Schmale, D.G., Shields, E. J., and Aylor, D.A. $960,767. USDA-NRI. Development of an integrated system to detect, monitor, and forecast the spread of Phytophthora infestans in the lower atmosphere. 11/2007 to 11/2010. Principal investigator.









Schmale, D.G. $24,390. USDA-USWBSI. Contribution of local inoculum sources to regional atmospheric populations of Gibberella zeae. 5/01/2007 to 6/14/2008. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $10,503. Virginia Small Grains Board. Mycotoxin testing services for Virginia wheat and barley. 7/01/2007 to 06/13/2008. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G. $9,303. Virginia Small Grains Board. Contribution of within-field residues to FHB in Virginia wheat and barley. 7/01/2007 to 06/13/2008. Principal investigator.










Schmale, D.G., and Stromberg, E.L. $4,000. Virginia Small Grains Board. Early detection of mycotoxin potential in Virginia wheat. 07/06 to 06/07. Principal investigator.