Undergrad research program receives renewed NSF funding
Program gives opportunities for undergraduates from around the country
Amy McCroskey
William Alexander
Jaqueline Weiss
Tatiana Sousa
Monica Stutz

A recent grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will offer unique opportunities for undergraduates from around the country to participate in research projects under the guidance of a University of Missouri-Columbia faculty member. The theme for the renewed grant will be Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Approaches to Biological Problems.

The NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program provides summer research opportunities for undergraduates from 10 higher-education institutions, including four historically black colleges and universities and one women’s college. Ten undergraduates are chosen to participate in a research project at MU for eight weeks during the summer. Some of last year’s participants conducted research on respiratory systems, skeletal development and the maize genome.

"This program complements our existing summer research programs for MU students," said Linda Blockus, coordinator of the Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. "Bringing students to Columbia from other colleges and universities across the country energizes our community of undergraduate scholars and their faculty mentors."

The program began as a pilot project in 1990, and subsequent NSF-REU grants allowed the program to expand to its current size. The program was designed specifically for students who come from institutions where there are limited research opportunities and less interaction with graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. In addition to research, students also participate in seminars with life science professionals, a workshop on scientific ethics and a poster session to display their research.

Partner institutions include Florida A&M University, Grinnell College, Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus, Medgar Evers College, Prairie View A&M University, Southwest Missouri State University, St. Elizabeth’s College, Truman State University, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Xavier University of Louisiana.

2002

 

 

 

Additional links:

Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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