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Don Walter

Don Walter is one of the founding members of MIAC and is a faculty member at South Carolina State University (SCSU). He is the Physics Program Coordinator for the Center for NASA Research and Technology at SCSU. He has research interests in astrophysics that include the interstellar medium, starburst galaxies and comets. Donald Walter was selected as on of the 2007 Summer Sabbatical recipients for the NAI-MIRS program.

NIA-MIRS Sabbatical Summer 2007
The Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Program is pleased to announce the selection of Donald Walter of South Carolina State University (SCSU) to participate in a faculty sabbatical this summer at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Walter will work with Mike Mumma and Mike DiSanti of the Goddard Center for Astrobiology (GCA) as part of their study of the chemical composition of comets and their potential to deliver water and pre-bioic organic materials to the early Earth and other bodies in the solar system. The MIRS program, which is funded by NAI, provides opportunities for researchers at minority institutions to develop partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. Walter is an astronomer who holds the rank of Professor of Physics at SCSU, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Walter’s work this summer will include optical studies of emission lines from comets and will lead to the development of a program of sustainable cometary research at SCSU in partnership with GCA   

 NAI Newsletter 2007

The title of Dr. Walter’s research for the NAI-MIRS Summer Sabbatical is:

"Developing A Sustainable Cometary Research Program in Astrobiology at South Carolina State University"

Summary of Don Walter’s research at the Goddard Center for Astrobiology (GCA)

We propose to develop a sustainable program of optical imaging and spectroscopy of comets at South Carolina State University (SCSU) that would be a part of the research conducted at the Goddard Center for Astrobiology (GCA) and contribute to the goals of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) and the field of Astrobiology. We will expand on the existing research experience in nebular astrophysics of Dr. Donald Walter at SCSU to now include ground and space-based studies of comets. Participation by Walter in the NAI Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Sabbatical program will allow GCA and SCSU to build a collaboration that will address a range of research questions relevant to Astrobiology.

Programs at South Carolina State University:

  • Dr. Walter Conducts Research at NASA Goddard
  • Drs. Smith and Walter present at the American Astronomical Society Meeting
  • STEM Day for High School Teachers and Students
  • Livermore Astrophysicist Speaks at SCSU
  • NASA SOFIA Teacher Workshop
  • The Scientific Search for Life Outside the Earth - Talks by NASA Scientist
  • Science Faculty Participate in NIH Workshop
  • Drs. Payne and Walter presents at the American Geophysical Union
  • SCSU Faculty Presents at NASA Astrobiology Conference
  • Dr. Walter Presents at NASA Conference
  • Dr. Walter Presents at the NSBP/NSHP Conference

Mike DiSanti (left) and Mike Mumma (right) discuss the spectrum of Comet WM1 with Don Walter (center).