He is a recognized leader in developing highly sophisticated forms of glass for biomedical sensors, communications, microelectronics and a range of other uses, and a fervent believer in providing underrepresented groups access to cutting-edge research.

"Innovation and curiosity aren't bound by cultural differences or geographic boundaries," says Jain. "Great ideas come from all corners of the world, so as researchers, we must actively pursue opening new doors, wherever possible."

Short course on glass at Tuskegee

NSF created six IMIs to encourage learning across national borders, each center focusing on a different specialty. Jain co-directs IMI-NFG with Carlo Pantano of Pennsylvania State University.

"We have two goals, one is research and the other is education," Jain says. "We aim to educate and excite people from all educational levels and cultural or national backgroundsabout the possibilities inherent in scientific research in general, and glass science in particular."

To help broaden access to the field of glass science research, Jain and Pantano proposed, developed and delivered a short course on glass science and engineering to students at Tuskegee University, a historically black institution of higher learning in Alabama.

Even though minority participation in science and engineering has gradually increased, a recent NSF study shows merely 4 percent of academic positions in these fields are held by African Americans.

"Our hypothesis was that the students from Tuskegee would engage more completely in an environment in which they felt most comfortable, rather than being transplanted to an unfamiliar surrounding for a limited time," says Jain.

Jain and Pantano initially planned to incorporate their lectures into an existing Tuskegee