AMY MOLL

Sensing for the common defense

Boise State has continued to nab research grants in an effort to move the school toward the "metropolitan research university of distinction" championed by President Bob Kustra. That goal seems closer to becoming a reality, with Boise State announcing a record $37 million in funding for research in fiscal year 2009 and some $30 million in the first half of 2010 alone.

Dr. Amy Moll, alongside researchers in electrical engineering, computer, physics and chemistry, created the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Boise State in 2004. Moll has worked at Hewlett Packard, and taught at San Jose State University. Now, she's heading a grant …