LI-COR Announces Expansion of the LEEF Program for Undergraduate Institutions

LINCOLN, Neb., March 31 /PRNewswire/ — LI-COR Biosciences is expanding its LEEF (LI-COR Environmental Educational Fund) program by raising the total funding for 2009 to more than $1,000,000 for Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI). The LEEF program is designed to enhance teaching and undergraduate research for students studying biology, environmental science, and related fields.

“There are now three LEEF packages,” says Chris Mantzios, LEEF program manager. “The LEEF Ecophysiology package is what we have offered for the past three years and is intended for those interested in photosynthesis, fluorescence and respiration.”

“Two new LEEF packages are being added, the LEEF Climate Change package is designed for those interested in soil carbon flux plus atmospheric measurements and the LEEF Light package is designed for those interested in measuring both terrestrial and underwater light,” says Mantzios.

Since the program began, more than 30 PUIs have been successful in getting the Ecophysiology package, which includes the LI-6400XTR Portable Photosynthesis and Florescence System. “We have had great success with the Ecophysiology package during the first 3 years. Professors have asked for a Climate Change as well as a Light LEEF package. Now they can expand their teaching and undergraduate research by obtaining these new LEEF packages” says Kristin Feese, LEEF program coordinator.

The LEEF program is part of LI-COR’s ongoing commitment to help colleges enhance their undergraduate science programs using inquiry-based learning. “The versatility of the LI-6400XT should also foster creativity among students to develop and ask significant or global experimental questions, which can be addressed at a local level,” says Dr. Andreas Madlung, University of Puget Sound, a LEEF Ecophysiology package recipient.

More information can be found at http://www.licor.com/leef

About LI-COR Biosciences

LI-COR Biosciences is a leading producer of scientific instruments for environmental monitoring and biotechnology research. The LI-6400 platform is the most cited photosynthesis system in published scientific journal articles. LI-COR instruments for photosynthesis, soil flux, carbon dioxide analysis and light measurement are recognized worldwide for standard-setting innovation in plant science research and environmental monitoring. Founded in 1971, the privately held company is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with subsidiaries in Germany and the United Kingdom. LI-COR systems are used in over 100 countries and are supported by a global network of distributors.

SOURCE LI-COR Biosciences