University researchers in the Department of Mathematics have obtained $3.7 million Vertical Integration of Research and Education grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit and train mathematical scientists “to meet the demand of the scientific workplace in the 21st century,” according to a University news release.”As its name suggests, VIGRE vertically integrates research and education at all levels: undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral,” said Gestur Olafsson, Hubert Butts Professor of Mathematics and principal investigator of VIGRE, in the release. “We even conduct high school outreach programs that travel throughout the state of Louisiana.”According to the release the US must produce more graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines to “remain competitive in the global economy,” yet the number of students pursuing such degrees is dropping.”The program just started this summer, but we have already hired two post-doctoral associates, have supported workshop participation of several graduate students, are supporting three advanced graduate students and have recruited three new graduate students to LSU,” said Olafsson in the release.——Contact The Daily Reveille news staff at [email protected]