In November 2007, the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded a $99,800 proposal by Maria Calzada, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, entitled One Year Immersion in the Loyola Chemistry Department.

Calzada, as principal investigator, will collaborate with the Loyola chemistry department and directly with Thomas Spence, Ph.D, associate professor of chemistry and host researcher, on a joint project with Charles Harb, Ph.D., of the Australian Defense Force Academy. This project involves new methods for determining the isotopic ratios of atoms in molecules. Calzada and Spence will also develop course materials for interdisciplinary computation-intensive courses.

Calzada and Spence have a long history of pedagogical collaborations, both receiving several Project for Instructional Effectiveness Support (PIES) grants. PIES grants are designed to promote original teaching methods in their courses.

Calzada has been part of the Loyola University New Orleans faculty since 1991. She received her Ph.D. and master of science degree at Tulane University. Spence joined Loyola in 1999. He received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and his bachelor of science degree from Birmingham-Southern University.