Detail of fossilsMicroscopic fossils, artificial intelligence and solar eclipses are the research areas of three professors who received more than $481,000 combined in National Science Foundation grants.

Geosciences professor Phoebe Cohen and her research partners are measuring organic carbon isotopes of microscopic fossils, a window into the evolution of life before the rise of animals.

Computer science professor Iris Howley is looking at how the relationship between instructor and student understanding of artificial intelligence algorithms underlying educational technology impacts decision-making in learning contexts.

And astronomy professor Jay Pasachoff and a team including students will travel to Chile, Argentina and Antarctica over the next three years to continue ongoing research on solar eclipses.