User:KPrasad/sandbox

Uncas A. Whitaker

Whitaker International Fellow and Scholars Program

The Whitaker International Program sends emerging leaders in U.S. biomedical engineering (or bioengineering) overseas to undertake a self-designed project that will enhance their careers within the field. The goal of the program is to assist the development of professional leaders who are not only superb scientists, but who also will advance the profession through an international outlook. Along with supporting grant projects in an academic setting, the Whitaker International Program encourages grantees to engage in policy work and propose projects in an industry setting.

Since 2006, the Institute of International Education has administered the Whitaker International Program. The Whitaker Foundation initiated this program shortly before closing in 2006, and provided funding to IIE to operate the program for at most 15 years. Accordingly, IIE will administer the program until the end of 2018.

The last round of Whitaker Scholars and Fellows were awarded in mid 2016 and 2017, respectively.

History

Founded in 1975 by U. A. Whitaker, the Whitaker Foundation was contributed more than $700 million to various universities and medical schools to primarily supported biomedical engineering education and research. In order to have maximum impact, the Whitaker Foundation decided to spend its financial resources over a finite period, rather than creating an organization that would be around forever. The Whitaker Foundation closed on June 30, 2006. During its lifetime, the foundation helped create 30 biomedical engineering programs at various universities in the United States and helped finance the construction of 13 buildings, many of them subsequently bearing the name "Whitaker" in some form.

Program Components

Financial Support The Whitaker Foundation, through IIE, provides a monthly stipend to cover house and transportation, round-trip international airfare, and health insurance for the period of their grant. Whitaker Fellows are also eligible to apply for up to $10,000 USD in tuition (and bench fees) reimbursement.

Travel Enhancement Fund The Whitaker Foundation, through IIE, will provide up to $4,000 will to engage in activities that enhance their professional presence and competence in the field of biomedical engineering. These activities include, but are not limited to, visiting BME-related labs and facilities, attending BME-related conferences, participating in BME-related training programs, and/or paticipating in the training or advising of next-generation biomedical engineers.

Enrichment Seminar in Europe

Alumni

The Whitaker Foundation maintains an active directory of all award recipients (right). Alumni Directory

1. OceanView Neighborhood Action

    1. Pacific Steel
    2. Trump's Economic Policy
    3. Background

2. Clayton Valley Quarry

  1. Background
  2. Issues
  3. Parent Company

3. Martinez Refinery

  1. Current Wiki Page
  2. Issues
  3. Clean Air Violation

KPrasad (talk) 22:04, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

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For the Port Arthur Refinery Page I'm going to address two key issues:

1. Address the issues highlighted by the wikipedia community

(April 2013) "Contains content that is written like an advertisement" & (September 2016) "Needs additional citations for verification": The page was highlighted as being biased towards the refinery. We'll work to ensure the article's style is more neutral and incorporates alternative perspectives. Also, while a minor focus of our work, we'll review the citations and ensure they are up to date.

2. Health Effect

Overall the article is lacking in information that addresses the environmental impact and economic cost of operating a refinery in the region. We'll work to incorporate environmental impact studies of the refinery into this Wikipedia article. KPrasad (talk) 00:35, 2 March 2017 (UTC)

Port Arthur

Four years after Port Arthur underwent its $10 billion expansion, making the facility the biggest producer of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products in the United States, Saudi Arabia-based Saudi Aramco is poised to become the sole owner of the facility. News organizations reported that Shell and Aramco's joint business venture began to unravel shortly after the multi-billion dollar facility expansion. News reports state that the subsequent increase in operating costs and the 2015 workers strike damaged relations between these oil giants beyond repair.

As per an agreement with Shell, Saudi Aramco will retain Motiva's name, Port Arthur refinery, and 24 distribution terminals. In Texas, Aramco will have the exclusive rights to use Shell brand for gasoline and diesel sales. In return, Shell will walk away with two Louisiana refineries (Convent and Norco), 11 distribution terminals, and a $2.2 billion balancing payment.

Energy and Middle East experts speculate that this move allows Aramco to maintain a dominate presence on the Gulf of Mexico coast.