Interdisciplinary Program Awarded Three-Year, $288,000 NSF Grant for Summer Research

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George Washington Carver Program students cap their summer research experience by presenting their research poster to the university community.

The biological sciences division of the National Science Foundation has announced research for undergraduates (REU) awards for 2011-2013, including a new three-year, $288,000 grant for the University of Arkansas.

The grant will fund 10 undergraduate student researchers every summer from schools participating in the George Washington Carver Summer Research Program. The students will study biotechnology methods, working with faculty researchers from across the university in the interdisciplinary graduate program in cell and molecular biology, part of the university’s Graduate School and international education.

The George Washington Carver Research Program is a recruitment initiative to identify superior graduates of historically black colleges and universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions for selected undergraduate internship positions.

“We are delighted to announce this new funding from NSF, which will enhance our diversity efforts on campus. The visiting Carver program students will learn about interdisciplinary research through participation and will increase their knowledge of graduate education and of the University of Arkansas graduate programs,” said Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Principal investigator is Douglas Rhoads, professor of biological sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and director of the cell and molecular biology program. Other participating faculty include co-principal investigator Julie Stenken, professor and 21st Century Chair in Chemistry/Biochemistry, and senior investigators Keith Roper, associate professor in chemical engineering, and Jeannine Durdik, associate dean of Fulbright College. Shani Farr is the director of the George Washington Carver Summer Research Program.

“We are delighted to receive this award, which will fund 10 students who might not otherwise have the opportunity for summer research. These students will work alongside our top faculty in their labs, learning research methods and investigating techniques that apply to many different areas of science,” said Rhoads. “The students will also enjoy the benefits of being a part of the Carver program as well. We see it as a win for the students and a win for the campus.”

Diane Cook, the director of graduate student activities, originally came up with the idea for the proposal.

“She pitched the idea to Rhoads, who, we’re very happy to say, was enthusiastic about the possibility, and they began the proposal,” said Todd Shields, interim dean of the Graduate School and international education. “Shani Farr is working with the REU to coordinate the students’ activities. I think it shows how working together we can innovate to increase diversity for our campus.”

Bill Schwab, dean of Fulbright College, said he is pleased that the college will host yet another REU. Summer programs at the university include REUs in chemistry, electrical engineering, space and planetary sciences, physics, mechanical engineering, microelectronics and photonics, assessment and sustainable management of ecosystem services, and another recently re-funded biology REU.

“We understand how crucial it is for students to do summer research; we have a long history of REUs in Fulbright College,” said Schwab. “We look forward to welcoming these students to our campus for a richly rewarding summer research experience, one that we hope will guide them toward graduate study.”

Approximately 80 REU students will arrive on campus on Sunday, May 22, to start their summer research experience in various programs on the campus.