This award, made to the University of Iowa, is supported by the Department of Defense ASSURE program and the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences. The University of Iowa will provide research training for 10 weeks for 8 students, for the summers of 2010-2012. The scientific focus of the research program is microbiology. The program encourages students to pursue a career in basic science and gives them the skills to succeed in that path. Each student will conduct an independent laboratory research project under the guidance of a faculty and a graduate student co-mentor. Lectures, workshops and social activities will expose students to graduate school and other career options, will include training in ethics and the responsible conduct of research, and will promote informal interactions. At the end of the summer, students will prepare a written report and present their findings at a University-wide symposium. Students will also be encouraged to present their results at regional or national meetings. The success of the program will be assessed by student tracking and an evaluation process that includes use of a common assessment tool. Students will receive a stipend and money for travel and living expenses. The program is open to undergraduates who have finished their sophomore or junior year of college, are interested in scientific research, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Recruitment will emphasize students from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the sciences and/or students from small colleges where opportunities for research are lacking. For more information, visit the website, www.uiowa.edu/microbiology/summer.shtml, or contact David Weiss via the program office: (319) 335-7980 (undergrad-micro-info@uiowa.edu).
A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site award was made to The University of Iowa to provide a 10-week research experience for 8 students per summer during the summers of 2010-2012. The scientific focus of the research program was microbiology. The goals of the program were to encourage students to pursue a career in basic science and give them the skills to succeed in that path. Each student conducted an independent laboratory research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor and a graduate student co-mentor. Lectures, workshops and social activities augmented the lessons learned through hands-on research. At the end of the summer students presented their findings at a University-wide symposium. Six of these students were selected to present posters on their research at the Annual Biomedical Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). REU participants received a stipend and money for travel and living expenses. The program was open to undergraduates who are interested in scientific research and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Recruitment used both traditional mailings and various forms of electronic outreach. Over 200 students applied each year. Special emphasis was given to recruitment of students from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the sciences and/or students from small colleges where opportunities for research are lacking. Participants were selected based on academic record, research performance, and potential for outstanding research in the biological sciences. Students were tracked to determine their continued interest in their academic field of study, their career paths, and the lasting influences of the research experience. The impact and success of the program was assessed by various means, including tracking of students and use of an REU common assessment tool. INTELLECTUAL MERIT. The program provided a substantive research experience with significant potential to generate new knowledge. All 24 participants produced a poster describing their findings. Five won travel awards to attend ABRCMS, and one received a poster award. Historical data indicate about 10% of participants end up as an author on a peer-reviewed manuscript, but there is a considerable lag before these papers are published. BROADER IMPACTS. The program contributed to the development of our nation’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce by providing a solid basic research experience and skills to succeed in STEM fields. Approximately 50% of the participants in our REU were underrepresented minorities, 66% were female and 70% were from small colleges with few opportunities research. Virtually all participants reported increased enthusiasm for pursuing science. Long-term tracking indicated about 50% will matriculate in a PhD program in the biological sciences, 25% pursue careers in medicine, and 25% do a variety of things, including teaching or working in a laboratory setting.
