ASU Scientists Win Nearly $3.5M in NIH Grants for Quantum and Microbial Research
Two assistant professors in the School of Molecular Sciences received five-year MIRA awards to pursue high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary work.
Arizona State University researchers Mouzhe Xie and Glen D'Souza have been awarded nearly $3.5 million in National Institutes of Health MIRA grants to advance research at the intersection of quantum sensing and microbial ecology.
The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program provides five years of flexible funding that supports investigators' overall research programs rather than narrowly defined projects. Xie received approximately $1.4 million, while D'Souza's award totals roughly $2 million.
Quantum Sensors for Single-Cell Analysis
Xie is developing quantum sensors based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers capable of analyzing biological processes at the single-cell level. These sensors exploit quantum mechanical properties to detect magnetic and electrical signals with precision that conventional tools cannot match.
The technology could enable researchers to observe cellular behavior in real time without disrupting the biological systems under study.
Microbial Community Dynamics
D'Souza's research focuses on how microbial communities interact, compete, and evolve over time. His work examines the ecological and evolutionary forces that shape microbiomes, with implications for fields ranging from medicine to environmental science.
Strategic Investment in Interdisciplinary Science
Both researchers are assistant professors in ASU's School of Molecular Sciences. The MIRA awards reflect NIH support for their potential to produce transformative results over the long term.
The MIRA program is designed to give investigators greater freedom to pursue innovative directions without the constraints of traditional project-specific grants. This flexibility is particularly valuable for interdisciplinary work that spans conventional boundaries between fields.
Convergence of Quantum and Biological Sciences
The intersection of quantum science and microbiology represents an emerging frontier with potential applications in sensing, computing, and fundamental biological understanding. Quantum sensors could reveal previously inaccessible details about microbial behavior, while biological systems may inspire new approaches to quantum technology.
The awards signal ASU's push to lead in high-tech, interdisciplinary research that combines expertise across traditional academic boundaries.