The Center for Plant Cell Biology (CEPCEB) in association with the Institute for Integrative Genome Biology (IIGB) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is committed to provide rewarding research experiences to undergraduate students. As a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site, CEPCEB brings research experiences to students of two- and four-year colleges who have limited opportunity to learn about the excitement and career options that research in plant cell biology offers. Ten undergraduates will be accepted into the 10-week residential program. The program will begin with a one-week workshop, in which students will be introduced to techniques and approaches used for analysis of plant and plant fungal pathogen cell function, including basic molecular biology, genomic and bioinformatic analyses, and confocal microscopy methods used to study live cells. Students will then spend nine weeks working with a faculty mentor and a graduate or postgraduate mentor on a research project of their choice. Students will also participate in workshops to enhance learning skills and professional development, and to discuss ethics in science. Students will receive a stipend, free room and board, and funds for travel to and from the site. Information about the program can be found at http://cepceb.ucr.edu/about/about.htm#UnderGradTrain, or by contacting Dr. Patricia Springer at (951) 827-5785 (pspringer@ucr.edu) or Dr. Julia Bailey-Serres at (951) 827-3738 (serres@ucr.edu).
