Calling students from all majors! Join the Universitas 21 Global Ingenuity Challenge – The Challenge of Sustainable Housing.
Interested in using your ingenuity to solve a critical global problem? Apply to become part of a five-member UConn team to find an innovative solution to “The Challenge of Sustainable Housing.” UConn’s team will be competing with teams drawn from other international universities in the Universitas 21 global network. Two UConn professors will act as facilitators: Professor Norman Garrick (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and Professor Carol Atkinson-Palombo (Geography).
The two week long challenge will take place in March, partly during Spring Break. At the start, the two facilitators will share the specifics of the challenge with the team. Students will then have two weeks to work on the challenge and invite comments from trusted advisors. Technical support will be provided by the online interactive web based platform, Ingenuity OnLine. At the end of the 2-week period, students will upload a 3-minute video with their proposed solution to the challenge. Their video will be assessed by a judging panel as well as by their peers. Students who participate in the challenge will review all videos submitted by their peers and vote for one of them (not their own, of course). The team with most votes will receive the Peers’ Choice award certificate. Students on the winning team will receive a prize of $1,000 per student to be spent on participation in another Universitas 21 student activity, including study abroad at a U21 partner university.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2016
In order to apply, you will need to do the following:
1) Fill out the online application form that includes uploading your UConn transcript and writing a short essay. (Application link is now inactive).
2) Ask a faculty member to serve as a reference, and forward him/her this link for the online Faculty Reference Form. (Reference form link is now inactive).
More Information
Contact Dorothea Hast (dorothea.hast@uconn.edu) in Global Affairs for more information on UConn’s participation and the application process.
Information on Universitas 21 and the challenge: http://www.universitas21.com/event/details/243/global-ingenuity-challenge-the-challenge-of-sustainable-housing and http://globalpartnerships.uconn.edu/universitas-21/global-ingenuity-challenge-the-challenge-of-sustainable-housing/
Still thinking about your summer plans? Students interested in a summer research experience have many opportunities to consider. Many programs have February deadlines so check out these exciting opportunities and apply now! Remember to keep your options open in order to find the best experience for you.
REU Program in Solar and Space Physics – University of Colorado Boulder Deadline: February 1, 2016 http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/education/reu/ Students work under the direction of scientists from one of a number of participating institutions including Colorado’s Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics and the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s High Altitude Observatory. 8-week program; $500/week stipend and housing provided.
Hartford Hospital Summer Student Pre-Med & Research Program Deadline: February 5, 2016 http://www.harthosp.org/ResidenciesFellowships/SummerStudentResearchProgram/default.aspx
This 10-week program offers pre-med students an introduction to research methodology, patient treatment, and ethical issues in medicine. Applicants must be pre-med students completing their junior year as of May 2016. $2,200 award for selected students.
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – Summer REU Program Deadline: February 5, 2016 http://www.caryinstitute.org/students/reu-program
Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides the opportunity for 8-12 students each summer to conduct ecology research at a world-class institute. Selected students receive a $6,000 stipend, a $600 food allowance and housing in an Institute dormitory. Note: 2016 Cary REU is still pending funding from NSF.
Interdisciplinary Research on Human Impacts in the Lake Champlain Ecosystem – Summer REU Program Deadline: February 5, 2016 http://www.uvm.edu/~ecolab/?Page=REU.html This 10-week REU program at the University of Vermont provides undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research on the impacts, both ecological and socioeconomic, of humans in the Lake Champlain ecosystem. Students with an anticipated graduation date after June 2016 are encouraged to apply. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. $5,250 stipend, a food allowance, and free housing provided.
University of Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Deadline: February 8, 2016 http://medicine.buffalo.edu/education/undergraduate/sure.html
The School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences offers a summer undergraduate research program for undergraduate students in their junior year (at the time of application). Offers extended to only 10 students; $3,500 stipend and housing provided.
Montgomery Summer Research Diversity Fellowships in Law and Social Science Deadline: February 15, 2016 http://www.americanbarfoundation.org/fellowshipsCall_for_Summer_Research_Diversity_Fellows.html
Sponsored by the American Bar Foundation, this summer research fellowship program for undergraduates is designed to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to the benefits of a research-oriented career in the field of law and social science. Open to students who will have completed at least two years of undergraduate study by the time the fellowship begins. Selected students will receive a stipend of $3,600.
Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program – California Institute of Technology Deadline: February 15, 2016
http://sfp.caltech.edu/programs/amgen_scholars
The Caltech Amgen Scholars program provides undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in STEM fields with the opportunity to conduct research in biology, chemistry, and bio-technical fields under the supervision of seasoned research mentors. $6,000 stipend for the 10-week program, campus housing and a board allowance provided.
Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences – Summer Research Program at Tufts University School of Medicine Deadline: February 15, 2016
https://sackler.tufts.edu/academics/BDBS
The Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) Program offers a ten week, mentored research experience for students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD. Participants in the program receive training in written and oral communication of scientific data and learn about careers in biomedical science. Stipend of $4,000, on-campus housing and travel expenses within the US are provided.
Materials Research Science & Engineering Center REU – Northwestern University Deadline: February 15, 2016
http://www.mrsec.northwestern.edu/content/educational_programs/reu.htm
REU students will have the opportunity to contribute to a research project led by a center faculty member expanding their science and engineering experience. Students with an interest in nanomaterials and majoring in a science or engineering field are encouraged to apply. Participants receive a $4,500 stipend, travel allowance, and on-campus housing.
State University of New York Upstate Medical University – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program Deadline: February 15, 2016
http://www.upstate.edu/grad/programs/summer.php
This 10-week summer research program is for students majoring in chemistry, biology, or a related field. Applicants should be between their junior and senior years (in Summer 2016) and have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical research. $3,000 stipend and housing provided.
Molecular Biology REU at The Ohio State University Deadline: February 15, 2016 https://molgen.osu.edu/research-experience-undergraduates
This NSF funded research program is hosted by the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the Division of Biochemistry at Ohio State. Selected students will receive a $5,000 stipend and university housing. Students from groups historically underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get valuable research experience this summer. Undergraduate students who are interested in participating in a summer research program should be preparing applications and requesting letters of recommendation now! Check out the following summer research programs with February 1st deadlines.
Gerstner Sloan Kettering – Summer Undergraduate Research Program http://www.sloankettering.edu/summer-undergraduate-research-program
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering sponsors a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students who are interested in the biomedical sciences. This is a competitive program that accepts 20 students. Applicants must have research experience. $4,000 stipend and housing provided.
Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital http://www.stjude.org/poe
This program provides a short-term training experience in either laboratory research or clinical research. Students will be matched with a faculty mentor and will participate in the mentor’s ongoing research projects. Qualified students with an interest in cancer research are encouraged to apply. $4,000 stipend provided to selected students.
Environmental Health Research Experience Program (EHREP), University of Washington http://deohs.washington.edu/ehrep
This funded, nine-week, summer research program is for undergraduates with a strong interest in environmental health science research. Undergraduate applicants must be graduating in 2017 or later. $5,200 summer stipend.
NSF-REU Internships in Astronomy – Maria Mitchell Observatory http://www.mmo.org/get-involved/internships/reu
Six REU internship positions are available for qualified undergraduate astronomy and physics students. These positions provide students the opportunity to conduct independent research supervised by a senior staff member of MMO. $1,800 per month stipend and housing provided.
Summer Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Fellowships, University of Vermont
http://www.uvm.edu/~nbhspire/?Page=snurf.html
Two summer research programs will be hosted by the University of Vermont. One is funded by NSF and the other by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Both offer generous stipends and housing. Interested students may apply to only one of the two programs. Details available on the website.
SENS Research Foundation (SRF) Summer Scholars Program http://www.sens.org/education/research-opportunities/srf-summer-scholars-program
Undergraduate students are provided the opportunity to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientific mentor. Paid positions are available at a number of research institutions including Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Stanford University and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Full descriptions of each research project can be found at the website link above.
Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program at Columbia University/Barnard College http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/ug/amgen/ Columbia University and Barnard College offer a summer research program to undergraduate students who are interested in hands-on biology-related laboratory research. The program is competitive with awards based on grades, recommendations, and career plans. Selected students receive a stipend of $4,000, a meal stipend ($500) and housing on the Morningside campus of Columbia University.
Amgen Scholars Program at Harvard
http://uraf.harvard.edu/amgen-scholars This 10-week faculty mentored summer research program is targeted to students with research interests in the biotechnology fields. The program encourages applications from students whose backgrounds and experiences would bring diversity to biotechnology fields and students from groups underrepresented in the STEM fields. $4,000 stipend, housing and travel costs to Boston, MA are provided.
Amgen Scholars Program at NIH https://www.training.nih.gov/amgenscholars
Undergraduate students will be matched with a research mentor and participate in a curriculum that will teach leadership skills as well as prepare them for research-oriented careers. Preference will be given to students who lack opportunities to perform independent research during the school year. Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Amgen-UROP Scholars Program at MIT http://web.mit.edu/urop/amgenscholars/
The Amgen-UROP Scholars Program is a competitive program providing the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in faculty-mentored summer research at MIT in the science and biotechnology areas. Students work 40 hours per week for nine weeks ($4,320 salary). Housing in an MIT residence hall and a food allowance of $800 are also provided.
Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) – Amgen Scholars Program http://biosciences.stanford.edu/prospective/diversity/ssrp/ The SSRP-Amgen Scholars program is a research-intensive residential program where students are matched with a member of the Stanford faculty to conduct a research project from a comprehensive list of biological and biomedical science programs. The program encourages applications from students whose backgrounds and experiences would bring diversity to the field. The program provides a stipend of $3,600 and summer housing, meals and travel to and from Stanford.
Amgen Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley http://amgenscholars.berkeley.edu/
The UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars program is a 10-week summer research program that provides undergraduates the opportunity to work on directly on a research project under the guidance of a UCB faculty member. $5,000 stipend and apartment housing provided as well as travel costs to the UC Berkeley campus.
Amgen Scholars Program at the University of California, Los Angeles http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/amgenscholars.htm
The UCLA Amgen Scholars Program pairs students with a UCLA faculty mentor to conduct research in biomedical science, chemistry, bioengineering or chemical engineering. This competitive program has 15 slots available to non-UCLA undergraduate students. $3,600 stipend for the 10-week program, on-campus housing and some meals provided to selected students.
Amgen Scholars Program at the University of California, San Francisco http://graduate.ucsf.edu/srtp
The UCSF Amgen Scholars 9-week summer program provides opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research in science and biotechnology under the supervision of UCSF faculty members. Selected students will participate in seminars/lectures and have the opportunity to present their research at the end of the program. Students receive a $4,000 stipend, $500 to cover travel costs to and from San Francisco, and housing.
Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis
http://dbbs.wustl.edu/divprograms/SummerResearchforUndergrads/Pages/Amgen-Scholars.aspx
Undergraduates selected for the Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University will engage in an intensive 10-week, independent research project under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and groups historically underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply. $4,000 stipend and housing provided.
SHARE Awards support undergraduate research apprenticeships in the social sciences, humanities, and arts, offering students majoring in these fields opportunities to develop research skills and explore research interests early in their college careers.
We are delighted to announce the 21 student-faculty teams selected to receive awards for Spring 2016 and thank the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute for its generous support of two of these student awards. Congratulations to all award recipients!
Project Title: An Ethnography at a Colombian Maternity Hospital: A Critical look at Neoliberalism and Global Health Student Apprentice and Major: Eeman Abbasi, Individualized: Health and Human Rights in the Middle East Faculty Mentor and Department: Cesar Abadia-Barrero, Anthropology and Human Rights
Project Title: Realism, Refugees, and Global Governance Student Apprentice and Major: Lucas Bladen, Political Science Faculty Mentor and Department: Jennifer Sterling-Folker, Political Science
Project Title: Neural and Behavioral Changes Attributed to High Intensity Reading Treatment in Chronic Aphasia Student Apprentice and Major: Samantha Coulombe, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Faculty Mentor and Department: Jennifer Mozeiko, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Project Title: Polysyllabic Word Spelling Student Apprentice and Major: Marissa Gadacy, Psychology & Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Devin Kearns, Educational Psychology
Project Title: Between Citizenship and Nationality: An Overview of Federal Citizenship Legislation for the U.S. Pacific Island Territories, 1898 to Present Student Apprentice and Major: Maye Henning, Political Science & Human Rights Faculty Mentor and Department: Charles Venator-Santiago, Political Science
Project Title: Project SPARK Student Apprentice and Major: Kelsey Iwanicki, Elementary Education Faculty Mentor and Department: Catherine Little, Educational Psychology
Project Title: Cross-Modal Integration: Effects of Shape on Phonetic Categorization Student Apprentice and Major: Jessica Joseph, Psychology Faculty Mentor and Department: Eiling Yee, Psychological Sciences
Project Title: Human Rights Discourse and Practices in Turkey Student Apprentice and Major: Rubayet Lasker, Political Science & Human Rights Faculty Mentor and Department: Zehra Arat, Political Science
Project Title: Exclusion Bullying in Same- and Cross-Race Contexts: Evaluations of Victimization, Victimizer Goals, and Victim Responses in Relation to Ethnicity and Personal Bullying and Victimization Experience Student Apprentice and Major: Samantha Lawrence, Psychology & Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Alaina Brenick, Human Development and Family Studies
Project Title: Developmental Cognition in Early Childhood Student Apprentice and Major: Sonia Limaye, Allied Health Sciences Faculty Mentor and Department: Kimberly Cuevas, Psychological Sciences
Project Title: Beat Your Gums: A History of Collected Stories and Reflections of Massachusetts Veterans Student Apprentice and Major: Tara Lokke, History Faculty Mentor and Department: Fiona Vernal, History
Award Co-Sponsored by the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute
Project Title: Museums and Civic Discourse: Past, Present, & Emerging Futures Student Apprentice and Major: Samantha Mairson, Digital Media and Design Faculty Mentor and Department: Clarissa Ceglio, Digital Media and Design
Award Co-Sponsored by the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute
Project Title: Neuro-Political Ideology: Motivated Reasoning Among Political Partisans Student Apprentice and Major: Thomas Martella, Cognitive Science Faculty Mentor and Department: Mikhael Shor, Economics
Project Title: Multi-Level Environmental Governance: Land Use Change and Carbon Emissions Student Apprentice and Major: Edward McInerney, Political Science Faculty Mentor and Department: Prakash Kashwan, Political Science
Project Title: Portraits of English/Language Arts Instruction with High and Low Evaluation Ratings Student Apprentice and Major: Rachael Orbe, Secondary English Education & English Faculty Mentor and Department: Rachael Gabriel, Curriculum and Instruction
Project Title: Effects of Attention on Lexically Informed Perceptual Learning Student Apprentice and Major: Jacqueline Ose, Physiology and Neurobiology & Psychology Faculty Mentor and Department: Rachel Theodore, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Project Title: The Influence of Comfort Measures on the Infant’s Microbiota in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Student Apprentice and Major: Samantha Poveda, Nursing Faculty Mentor and Department: Xiaomei Cong, Nursing
Project Title: Economics of Certification and Quality Disclosure Student Apprentice and Major: Joseph Roessler, Economics & Mathematics Faculty Mentor and Department: Talia Bar, Economics
Project Title: “Reel” Police, Prosecutors, and Portrayals of the Use of Force: Assessing the Lessons of Law and Order: SVU within the Current Legal and Political Climate Student Apprentice and Major: Amy Saji, Political Science Faculty Mentor and Department: Kimberly Bergendahl, Political Science
Project Title: Daniel Alarcón and the Peruvian Post-Conflict, Transnational Cultural Field Student Apprentice and Major: Emily Socha, Spanish & Management Faculty Mentor and Department: Guillermo Irizarry, Literatures, Cultures, and Languages
Project Title: Extension of the Prototype Willingness Model to Workplace Deviance Student Apprentice and Major: Ryan Thibodeau, Psychology Faculty Mentor and Department: Dev Dalal, Psychological Sciences
Undergraduate students who are interested in participating in a summer research or internship program need to plan ahead. December is the time to gather together all the required elements of the applications, including faculty letters of recommendation. All of the exciting summer opportunities listed below have application deadlines in December or January! Don’t miss the opportunity to get research experience.
Department of Homeland Security HS-STEM Summer Internship Program Deadline: December 16, 2015; http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/internships/
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsors a 10-week summer internship program for students majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) disciplines. Undergraduate students receive a $600/week stipend plus travel expenses for a 10-week research experience.
Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program (MLEF) Deadline: December 21, 2015;http://orise.orau.gov/mlef/
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy. It is a 10-week summer internship program that provides opportunities to students who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The goal of the program is to improve opportunities for minority and female students in these fields, but all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply. Selected undergraduates receive a weekly stipend of $600.
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) Deadline: January 8, 2016;http://science.energy.gov/wdts/suli/
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at one of 17 participating Dept. of Energy laboratories.
Cold Spring Harbor Undergraduate Summer Research Program 2016 Deadline: January 15, 2016;http://www.cshl.edu/education/urp
The URP program is administered by the Watson School of Biological Sciences. It is designed to give students an opportunity to conduct first-rate research under the supervision of senior laboratory staff in the areas of cancer biology, neuroscience, plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics and genomics. Selected students receive room and board in addition to a $5,000 stipend.
DAAD RISE – Research Internships in Science and Engineering in Germany Deadline: January 15, 2016; https://www.daad.de/rise/en/
DAAD RISE gives students in the fields of biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering and physics the chance to spend a summer working on research projects with doctoral students at German universities and research institutions. Interested students must first register online between December 1, 2015 and January 15, 2016. Students will then be able to access the internship offers submitted by the doctoral students in Germany prior to completing the application.
Summer ORISE Fellowship Opportunities at the CDC Deadline: January 15, 2016; http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/dls/orise.html
Appointments through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship Program. This is a paid research opportunity for biology and chemistry majors. Stipend of $2,700 per month for undergraduate students.
Summer Undergraduate Course Creating Excellence in Scientific Study (SUCCESS) – The Ohio State University, College of Medicine – Deadline: January 21, 2016 https://medicine.osu.edu/mstp/Pages/index.aspx
This 10-week research experience is hosted by the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). The program encourages applications from students whose backgrounds and experiences would bring diversity to the field. Applicants must have an expected college graduation date in 2017 or 2018. $3,800 stipend and housing provided.
Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program Deadline: January 22, 2016; http://www.loc.gov/hr/jrfellows/
This 10-week internship program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to explore the environment, culture and collections of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge. Selected students are provided the opportunity to explore digital initiatives and inventory, catalog, arrange, preserve and research a backlog of special, legal or copyright collections in many different formats. $3,000 stipend.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – Collegiate Leaders in Environmental Health Internship Deadline: January 27, 2016; http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/cleh/overview.htm
This is a paid 10-week summer environmental internship for undergraduate students who are passionate about the environment and interested in human health. Interns will participate in a comprehensive program including environmental health project assignments as well as interaction with federal officials and scientists. Interns will be able to attend the many seminars offered by the CDC during the summer. Stipend of approximately $600 per week. Applicants must be rising juniors or rising seniors in Fall 2015. Seniors graduating in Spring 2016 will not be accepted to this program.
Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) – Columbia University Deadline: January 31, 2016;http://ps.columbia.edu/education/student-life/office-diversity/programs/college-and-post-baccalaureate-students/summer-publ
The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in public health and biomedical science careers. Applicants must have completed at least two years of college. Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Selected students will be provided with a stipend, housing, and round trip travel.
ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships Deadline: January 31, 2016; http://thinkswiss.tumblr.com/About
ThinkSwiss scholarships support highly motivated undergraduates who are interested in doing research at a public Swiss university or research institute. The scholarship is open to students in all fields. A monthly stipend of approximately $1,100 is provided for a period of 2-3 months.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP) Deadline: January 31, 2016; http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/crissp/index.php
The CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP) is committed to educating and training future leaders in the biomedical sciences, with a special emphasis on advancing laboratory, clinical, behavioral and translational pediatric research. Summer stipend of $4000.
This year, through the generous support of the International Studies Associations’ Headquarters and UConn’s Office of Global Affairs, a new research award program is being offered for undergraduate students: the ISA Honors Awards for Undergraduate International Studies Research.
This award program provides students with up to $1,000 in support to assist them in conducting social science projects that span across countries, regions, or the globe. Students must be members of the Honors Program in order to be eligible for the program. They need not be majoring in a social science discipline, but the proposed project must make use of the theories and methods of one or more social sciences. Award applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through March 31, 2016.
Full program details are available on the ISA Awards webpage and we encourage faculty and students to contact us with any questions they might have about the program.
Please join us in congratulating the UConn undergraduates named below for their significant research and creative accomplishments this summer. Students: if you have an accomplishment to share, please do so using this online form.
Students whose names are marked with an asterisk (*) below will be sharing their projects at the Fall Frontiers in Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibition on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, from 5-7pm in the Wilbur Cross South Reading Room. All are welcome to attend the event and learn more about these exciting research projects.
OFF-CAMPUS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Mary Accurso ’18 (CLAS) completed an internship through the Summer Student Program at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, CT. She worked in Dr. Jacques Banchereau’s immunology lab, analyzing RNA sequencing data to identify novel alternative splicing events in immune stimulated cells.
Virgilio Lopez ’16 in the field in Costa Rica.
Virgilio Lopez III ’16* conducted his summer research in Costa Rica, studying the social interactions of hummingbirds. This research experience was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NSF-LSAMP) via the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the Organization for Tropical Studies, which is based at Duke University.
Andrew Maxwell ’17 (CLAS) participated in the TECBio REU program at the University of Pittsburgh. There, he executed ensemble-based virtual screening of the human glycine receptor alpha-3 subtype in support of a broader effort to discover compounds that elicit THC-like analgesic responses. Andrew conducted this research under the supervision of Dr. Pei Tang.
John Ovian ’17* (CLAS) participated in the Amgen Scholars program at UCLA this summer, working under the supervision of Dr. Neil Garg in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He investigated the total synthesis of tubingensin B, an indole diterpenoid with potentially useful biological properties.
Meredith Rittman ’16 (ENG) participated in a research internship at the NASA Glenn Research Center this summer. Over the course of the 10 week internship, she completed and presented a project entitled, Determining Pharmaceutical Efficacy of Pharmaceuticals Exposed to Deep Space Radiation. Meredith’s summer research was mentored by Don Jaworske, PhD and Jerry Myers Jr., PhD.
Rebecca Stern ’16 (ENG) completed a summer internship at Pfizer Inc., where she performed quantum chemical calculations to model and predict the pKa value of drug-like molecules. The pKa value defines a molecule’s degree of dissociation in solution and is vitally important in formulation design, candidate selection, and drug delivery.
Ronald Tardiff ’16 (CLAS) was named a 2015 Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholar. This award provided Ron with funding to travel to and work at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, where he served as an Ecosystem Services Intern at the US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Western Ecology Division, Pacific Ecology Branch, Newport Lab. Learn more about his project, Framework to Conduct Ecological Estimate Transfers: A Case Study of Seagrass Blue Carbon.
Ornella Tempo ’16 (ENG) completed an NSF-funded REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program at Mississippi State, where she studied how stimuli-responsive polymers such as Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide)-Co-Methacrylic acid respond to temperature and pH changes. She conducted this research in the PolySEL lab of Professor Keisha Walters in collaboration with Professor Santanu Kundu.
Nico Wright ’18* (ENG) participated in the Applied Physics REU program at the University of South Florida. His project, Growth of ZnO Nanocolumns on Silica Nanospheres Using Glancing Angle Pulsed Laser Deposition, was supervised by Professor Sarath Witanachchi.
PUBLICATIONS
Prakhar Bansal ’16 (CLAS) was a co-author on a recent publication from the May Lab:
Boyd, K.B., Bansal, P., Feng, J., & May, E.R. (2015). Stability of Norwalk virus capsid protein interfaces evaluated by in silico nanoindentation. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 3:103. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00103
Emma LaVigne ’15 (CAHNR) was a co-author on an article based in part on data collected through her SURF award project in the Reed Lab. Additional undergraduate authors on the project are Delaney Patterson ’15 (CAHNR) and Allison Schauer ’15 (CAHNR).
Reed, S.A., LaVigne, E.K., Jones, A.K., Patterson, D.F. & Schauer, A.L. (2015). The aging horse: Effects of inflammation on muscle satellite cells. J. Anim. Sci. 2015.93:862–870. doi:10.2527/jas.2014-8448
These three Animal Science students were also co-authors on a newly-accepted publication in the Journal of Animal Science:
LaVigne, E.K., Jones, A.K., Sanchez Londoño, A., Schauer, A.L., Patterson, D.F., Nadeau, J.A., & Reed, S.A. (2015). Muscle growth in young horses: effects of age, cytokines, and growth factors. J. Anim. Sci. In press.
ON-CAMPUS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
UConn IDEA Grant recipient Stephen Hawes ’17* (ENG) has been working on his project to develop a 3-D printed prosthetic, the ATLAS Arm, for mid-forearm amputees. You can follow Stephen’s progress on his YouTube channel or watch the latest installment below.
Theodore Sauyet ’17 (CLAS) conducted research in the Jain Lab, Department of Physics, into materials exhibiting multiferroic and magnetocaloric effects. His summer research included sample preparation (solution route for creating thin films), characterization techniques, electric and magnetic measurements (as they apply to hysteresis loops and the magnetocaloric effect), and data analysis.
EXHIBITIONS
Alana Valdez ’16* (SFA) exhibited her installation, So Easy a Woman Could Do It, in the Bishop Center from September 8-11, 2015. Alana’s artwork, which “overwhelms the viewer and provides an antithetical perspective on the dichotomy of femininity and strength,” was supported in part by an OUR Supply Award.
PRESENTATIONS
2015 Joint Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association – July 12-16, 2015 – Orlando, FL
Emma LaVigne presents her poster at the ASAS-ASDA Joint Annual Meeting.
Emma LaVigne ’15 (CAHNR) Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, insulin-like growth factor-1 and fibroblast growth factor-2 alter proliferation and differentiation of equine satellite cells
Emma received a third place award in the undergraduate poster competition.
Abstract: LaVigne, E.K., Sanchez Londoño,A. & Reed, S.A. (2015). Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, insulin-like growth factor-1 and fibroblast growth factor-2 alter proliferation and differentiation of equine satellite cells. J. Anim. Sci. 93(E-Suppl. 2):336.
Ellen Valley ’15 (CAHNR) Effects of plant-derived compounds on Staphylococcus aureus infection of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells
Abstract: Valley, E.V., Jaganathan, D., Venkitanarayanan, K., Kazmer, G.W., Kuo, L., Wang, Y.B., & Govoni, K.E. (2015). Effects of plant-derived compounds on Staphylococcus aureus infection of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells. J. Anim. Sci. 93(Suppl. 3):335.
Katelyn McFadden ’15 (CAHNR) Effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on protein expression in the liver of lambs
Katelyn’s presentation was selected as a Presidential Pick Poster and received the second place award in the undergraduate poster competition.
Abstract: McFadden, K.K., Peck, K.N., Reed, S.A., Zinn, S.A., & Govoni, K.E. (2015). Effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on protein expression in the liver of lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 93(Suppl. 3):336-337.
Katelyn was also a co-author on three additional abstracts:
1. Jones, A.K., Gately, R.E., McFadden, K.K., Zinn, S.A., Govoni, K.E., & Reed, S.A. (2015). Identification of early pregnancy and fetal landmarks via transabdominal ultrasound in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 93(Suppl. 3):292.
2. Pillai, S.M., Raja, J.S., Hoffman, M.L., Jones, A.K., McFadden, K.K., Reed, S.A., Zin, S.A., & Govoni, K.E. (2015). Effects of under- and over-feeding during gestation on organ development of offspring at days 45 and 90 of gestation. J. Anim. Sci. 93(Suppl. 3): 293.
3. Raja, J.S., Pillai, S.M., Raja, J.S., Jones, A.K., Hoffman, M.L., McFadden, K.K., Zinn, S.A., Govoni, K.E., & Reed, S.A. (2015). Poor maternal nutrition decreases longissimus dorsi cross-sectional area of fetal offspring at d 45 of gestation. J. Anim. Sci. 93(Suppl. 3): 694.
23rd Annual Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium – July 30-August 2, 2015 – Berkeley, CA
McNair Scholars at UC Berkeley.Nicholas Arisco ’16* (CLAS) Impacts of urbanization on the storm drain ecosystem: A comparison of micro and macro scale variants
Nelson Del Pilar ’16* (CLAS) Dietary influences on Apolipoprotein C-III expression
Crystal Green ’16 (CLAS) A new method studying the dynamics of joint attention in a joint-action task using games
Hebo Ismail ’16 (CLAS) Visualizing bacterial gene expression in the female reproductive system of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes
Zania Johnson ’16 (CLAS) Auditory stability indices: Comparisons across stimuli and recording systems
Emmanuel Marte ’16 (CAHNR, CLAS) Determining the location of ApoC-III in the intestinal enterocyte
Jonathan Schmieding presents his research at the Music Department’s Convocation.University of Connecticut Music Department Convocation – September 18, 2015
Jonathan Schmieding ’16* (SFA) Undergraduate research in music The music editing process: The preparation of a scholarly edition of Dane Rhudyar’s late piano work, “Autumn”
Kelsey Richardson ’15 (NURS) earned her bachelor’s degree this spring and shares her “accidental” journey into research in this essay.
I had never thought upon entering nursing school that research was even a remote possibility for me. When my advisor suggested joining the Honors program my sophomore year, I was interested but a little hesitant. I thought Honors meant taking extremely hard classes and losing all my free time. Instead, in the nursing program, Honors meant finding an advisor and completing a research project with their guidance and expertise. Then, finally, if you found new results, you would be able to submit your findings to be published. This sounded interesting to me and thankfully I took my advisor’s advice and started an amazing journey down the research path for the past three years. I learned that not only is research ever changing, but even students can make discoveries that can improve the practice and lives of others.
Kelsey Richardson ’15 (NURS) presents her research poster at the 2015 ATHENA Nursing Research Conference.
My trip down the research road started with finding an advisor. I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Xiaomei Cong, who is involved with so many amazing projects it was hard to pick just one to make my own. We decided that I would use a survey that had already been created and tested to further investigate neonatal nurses’ perceptions of the phenomenon known as Skin-to-Skin Contact or Kangaroo Care. First, I completed my preliminary literature review, searching multiple databases to see what was already published about Kangaroo Care. Not only did I learn about this intervention, but I also learned how to search the databases, save my results and pick out was and was not important. These skills helped me immensely in the next few years as a student when we needed to do research on a multitude of topics for various classes.
I then started the meticulous process of getting IRB approval before I could actually send out my survey. After this, I was able to send my survey out and we received more responses than I could have ever dreamed. This did prove to be slightly overwhelming when it became time to analyze all the results, however! Around this time, in November of my Junior year, I was lucky enough to receive the SHARE award from the Office of Undergraduate Research. Both my advisor and I received a stipend for our work, which greatly helped with my project. Not only did this make me feel as though my research was really worthwhile, but it was the best feeling to believe that others felt that my research was important enough to be recognized. Continue reading →
Richard Wolferz, Jr. ’15 (CLAS) recently graduated from UConn as an Honors Scholar in Biological Sciences with a second major in Physiology & Neurobiology. In this essay, he describes the role that research played in his undergraduate career.
Richard Wolferz, Jr. ’15 (CLAS), demonstrating his protocol to create three-dimensional lateral ventricle reconstructions featured in an upcoming Journal of Visual Experiments publication from the Conover Lab, Physiology and Neurobiology.
I grew up and went to high school in New Jersey but was convinced on my first visit that the University of Connecticut was right for me. UConn is a great combination of a small town campus feel mixed with a world-renowned research university. One of the main reasons I came to UConn and chose the majors I did was for the opportunity to perform scientific research as an undergraduate. Research has been large part of my undergraduate career and has given me incredible hands on experience that many students do not see until graduate school.
After hearing about her research, I spoke with Rebecca Acabchuk, the graduate TA for my sophomore year Enhanced Anatomy and Physiology course. I explained to her how interested I was in the concussion research she was doing in Dr. Joanne Conover’s lab. After speaking further with Rebecca, and then with Dr. Conover, I was granted an opportunity to try volunteering in the Conover lab during the summer of 2013. Right away I was given responsibility to begin refining a technique to better analyze the expansion of the lateral ventricles in response to repeated concussive impacts. I was hooked.
Starting the fall of my junior year, I was welcomed in as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab. As a full-time member of the lab I applied for and received the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Supply Award. The research funding through OUR allowed me the chance to continue researching the effects of repeated concussions through our mouse model. The technique that I began to develop during the summer was now in full use generating three-dimensional reconstructions of lateral ventricles for volume analysis. The most rewarding aspect of the experience was being treated with the same respect and responsibility as any other lab member. I was expected to present my findings each week in lab meeting and expected to contribute intellectually in discussions. Continue reading →
Nellie Binder ’15 (CLAS) recently completed an individualized major in International Relations and will start law school in Fall 2015 to pursue her interests in immigration, asylum, and refugee law. In this essay and memoir, she shares her undergraduate research on Holocaust memorialization in the U.S. and in Poland.
The research for my 2014 SURF project, titled “Implications in the Past and Present: Holocaust Memorialization through Photographs, Camps, and Museums,” took place mainly in Poland and Washington D.C. While in the capitol, I spent multiple days in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, which gave me the chance to examine each exhibition with particular care, keeping in mind how the museum functions within the realm of Holocaust memorialization. I was able to contrast this research with my experience at the actual sites of destruction: the concentration camps themselves. After going to Auschwitz, where I saw groups of Israeli protesters as well as masses of IDF soldiers in uniform, I also began considering the connection between Holocaust memorialization and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. How do differing opinions about the Holocaust translate into dialogue regarding the conflict? This observation was critical as it enabled me to connect my research on the past with one of the most highly debated international conflicts in the present.
“Faces before death.” Taken in Auschwitz, 2014. Photo by Nellie Binder.
By visiting various concentration camps throughout Poland, in particular Auschwitz, I was also able to develop a very personal perspective on the formation of Holocaust memory in varying political spheres. This personal response to my time in Auschwitz prompted the short creative memoir piece below. Continue reading →
https://events.uconn.edu/live/json/v2/events/response_fields/location,summary/date_format/%25F%20%25j,%20%25Y/group/Office of Undergraduate Research/max/4/start_date/today/end_date/6 months/
Project Title: Beat Your Gums: A History of Collected Stories and Reflections of Massachusetts Veterans
