RICHARDSON, Texas (April 1, 2003) - Dr. Inga Holl Musselman, associate professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), will receive the Presidential Service Award from the Microbeam Analysis Society during the organization's annual conference, "Microscopy and Microanalysis," to be held Aug. 4-7 in San Antonio.

The Microbeam Analysis Society is a national organization of professionals who work with or have an interest in microbeam instrumentation, which utilizes electron, ion, photon and other types of beams to determine the chemical composition of materials. The society provides a forum for members from industrial and academic settings who are engaged in research, development, analysis and instrument manufacturing to exchange ideas and practical experience.

The society's Presidential Service Award is given annually to a society member who has provided outstanding service to the organization. Musselman currently serves as secretary of the society. Over the past 11 years, she has served in many other capacities, including editor of MicroNews, the society newsletter, director of the executive council, national tour speaker, symposia chair and technical program co-chair.

Musselman's research group at UTD is investigating contrast mechanisms and chemical specificity in images of molecular adsorbates, or molecules that bind to a surface of a solid object. The research involves the use of scanning tunneling microscopy, a technique using a powerful microscope that allows three-dimensional investigation of surfaces down to the atomic scale. The research involves, in part, surface imaging of carbon nanotubes, which can be used in the construction of molecular scale sensors and other devices.

Last year, Musselman won a three-year, $150,000 grant from the Houston-based Welch Foundation to support her research.

Musselman earned a Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. degree in chemistry from Gettysburg College.

About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls more than 13,000 students. The school's freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university's Web site at http://www.utdallas.edu/.