REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Biology: Cellular Stress Physiology

Pepperdine University, Malibu CA

Investigators

Abstract

REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Biology: Cellular Stress Physiology The Pepperdine University summer undergraduate research program facilitates the professional maturation of a minimum of 8 undergraduate students annually as biological scientists by immersing them in an interactive, 11-week session of original research activities, thematically-linked via cellular stress physiology. Students design and pursue projects utilizing a wide range of cellular and organismal systems, e.g., yeast, mammalian cells in tissue culture, amphibian epidermal tissue, and xylem vessel elements in higher plants. Faculty-mentors in plant physiological ecology, cellular biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, or neurobiology provide support, supervision, and training, as well as facilitate community outreach. Visiting scientists hold research seminars and critique student projects. Past participants in the summer program provide peer mentoring and modeling. The formal program concludes each year with a written paper, student research symposium, student poster session, and celebratory banquet. Follow-up activities include the opportunity to mentor middle school students enrolled in a campus-based Science Camp, professional presentations, and submission of research results for publication. Broader impact: Student recruitment by the Pepperdine University summer undergraduate research program emphasizes minority applicants, community college students from greater Los Angeles, and other colleges with limited research opportunities. Project findings are disseminated widely to schoolchildren at an open house, to university administration and parents at a poster session, and to local parkland managers and research scientists at a final student-led symposium. Students communicate their findings at regional, national and international conferences.