Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA)

The History of Microbiology Research Travel Grant Award program was initiated in 2012 by the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA).  The awards were given to support historical research of the awardees' choosing, in areas that could be supported by materials in the CHOMA collections. The CHOMA collections, located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, include 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics, photographs, biographical materials, topical files on various aspects of microbiology, records of the Society from its founding in 1899 to the present, and several collections of personal papers. 

To see profiles of past awardees, click on years listed below:

 

2015 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award Recipient      

2013 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award Recipient    

2012 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award Recipients     

 

Any Questions? Contact ASM Archivist at archives@asmusa.org 

Enrollment Period: January 9- February 6, 2023

The Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA), housed at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), is pleased to announce two Travel Awards for research at the ASM Archives in the area of the history of microbiology.  

Grant

Up to two cash grants of $1500 each per year will be awarded.  Awardees may be invited to present their research at the annual ASM Microbe Meeting and/or prepare an article for other ASM media outlets. 

Research Areas

The grants are to support research of the awardees’ choosing, in areas that have relevant materials in the CHOMA collection.  The CHOMA collection includes 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics, photographs of scientists and microbes, topical files on various aspects of microbiology, biographical materials, instructional materials (including slides and motion pictures), records of the Society (including journals and proceedings of meetings) from its founding in 1899 to the present, and several collections of personal papers. For additional information on the collection, go to the CHOMA home page at https://lib.guides.umbc.edu/c.php?g=836720&p=5975476.

Time Frame and Location of Research

• The travel grant is to be used for travel expenses to visit the ASM Archives, located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, to conduct the above-mentioned research. 
• All research must take place within 12 months of the award.   
• All awardees must provide a report to the Archivist on their research within six months of the research visit.   
• Any article prepared for ASM media outlets as a result of the research must be completed in a reasonable timeframe to be negotiated between the awardee, the ASM Archivist and appropriate ASM communication staff.     

Application Procedures

Applicants for the History of Microbiology Research Travel Awards must submit the following via e-mail to the ASM Archivist at archives@asmusa.org

1. CV (any length)
2. Detailed description of the proposed project (three pages maximum) clearly demonstrating its historical intent**
3. Short description of previous historical research undertaken by applicant (if applicable) and/or an indication of how/why the applicant became interested in the history of microbiology
4. Tentative list of archive materials to be used based on the descriptions of CHOMA holdings found at the website
5. One letter of recommendation (either e-mailed directly by individuals providing the recommendations or forwarded by candidate)

 ** Tips on Establishing “Historical Intent”:

History, like science, is neither a list nor a timeline. Instead, it is query-based analysis of a specific narrow event, discovery or technique. History of science is much the same as laboratory research:  it is testable and subject to revision and reanalysis. A History of Microbiology research topic ideally should be critical and seek to discover how knowledge was created using scientists, locations, benefactors, microbes or methods as agents to narrate a question or argument.

An effective History of Microbiology research topic can focus on present proprietary advances (techniques, tools, pharmaceuticals) or fundamental scientific advances. The specific contributions to government, industry, or academia can be examined in a balanced critique and analysis.

For example, a study of a view of an historical advance in developing a new anti-microbial product would be contextualized around a question or argument. Such a study can focus on an individual, a product, or a technique while addressing alternative points-of-view and breaking new ground in our understanding of an event. History of microbiology, however, is not a summary of known events, a rehashing of accumulated information (e. g., the number of influenza cases in 2010 vs. 1960), or a dogmatic approach to discovery-based outcomes.

An effective history of microbiology research question may: 

• Address a specific problem or correct a misconception
• Have a stated hypothesis, appropriate historical data, and an original analysis
• Present new biographical information with a fresh, compelling analysis

Questions?  Contact ASM Archivist, Colleen Puterbaugh at cputerbaugh@asmusa.org or archives@asmusa.org.

Submission Deadline:  All applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than February 6, 2023, to the ASM Archivist, Colleen Puterbaugh, at cputerbaugh@asmusa.org or archives@asmusa.org.

 

Selection Committee

All applications will be reviewed by a sub-committee of the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA) Committee.  Decisions on individual applications will be announced within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline date.  Decisions of the selection committee are final.    

Award Announcement

Awards will be announced within 4-6 weeks of application deadline date. 

All candidates will receive an e-mail notification of the status of their applications after the selection committee makes its decisions.

Acknowledgment of Funding   

In any publication or presentation of your research, please acknowledge funding as follows:

"Funding for this research was provided by the Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA)."

Additional Information

For additional information on the award and award guidelines, contact Colleen Puterbaugh at cputerbaugh@asmusa.org or archives@asmusa.org.

Submission Deadline:  February 6, 2023

 

The Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2015 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award: 

 Lauren N. Ross, M.D. 

Lauren Ross, University of Pittsburgh, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, used the award to conduct research at CHOMA on early American bacteriologists' understanding of Koch's postulates and more generally their ideas about disease causation as reflected in textbooks, lab manuals, and other materials.

The History of Microbiology Research Travel Awards are given to support historical research of the awardees' choosing, in areas that can be supported by materials in the CHOMA collections.  The CHOMA collections, located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, include 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics, photographs, biographical materials, topical files on various aspects of microbiology, records of the Society from its founding in 1899 to the present, and several collections of personal papers. 

 

The Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2013 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award: 

Sharon Bertsch McGrayne 

McGrayne, a free-lance writer and editor in Seattle, Washington, will use the award to conduct research at CHOMA for her book, Woman in Science (working title). The research will focus on Dr. Rita Colwell, and her extensive service to ASM.

The History of Microbiology Research Travel Awards are given to support historical research of the awardees' choosing, in areas that can be supported by materials in the CHOMA collections.  The CHOMA collections, located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, include 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics, photographs, biographical materials, topical files on various aspects of microbiology, records of the Society from its founding in 1899 to the present, and several collections of personal papers. 

The Center for the History of Microbiology/ASM Archives (CHOMA) is pleased to announce the 2012 History of Microbiology Research Travel Award winners:

Melanie Armstrong, Mellon Visiting Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis, and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley. Armstrong will use the award to study the history of high-security, infectious disease laboratories, exploring how technologies have been implemented to contain microscopic organisms and how the conceptions of microbial risk along with understandings of the microbes themselves have changed over time. She will also explore how environmental impact statements and other forms of public communication are used to articulate the threats of microbes to particular populations.

Sarah Wiley, Masters of Science student in Journalism with an emphasis on science communication and international media, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Wiley will use the grant to research and trace the scientific discourse of leprosy transmission from the late nineteenth century to the present. She will concentrate on the role of scientific researchers and their work in discerning the reservoirs and route of transmission, an area less explored in leprosy research, which has traditionally been dominated by research on the social/cultural implications of the disease.

The History of Microbiology Research Travel awards are given to support historical research of the awardees' choosing, in areas that can be supported by materials in the CHOMA collections. The CHOMA collections, located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, include 9,000 volumes on microbiology and related topics, photographs, biographical materials, topical files on various aspects of microbiology, records of the Society from its founding in 1899 to the present, and several collections of personal papers.