Research Experience for Undergraduates in Chemical Biology

Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN

Investigators

Abstract

The Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)Site at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Professor Gary Sulikowski and colleagues recruit a diverse group of 29 rising junior and senior chemistry, biochemistry, and biology majors with high potential for careers in the chemical and/or biomedical research for a 10 week program. Students are co-mentored by collaborating faculty in the Chemistry Department and the College of Medicine on one of 22 ongoing research projects. Students broaden their horizons though a variety of scientific workshops and symposia on small molecule probe and drug development, and participate in career mentoring and professional development. Specially-trained graduate student mentors provide scientific and professional guidance that is tailored to each student's needs. Through extensive mentoring and authentic research experiences, this program may impact students' understanding of the research process and the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary chemical biology research. The REU program at Vanderbilt University offers a unique interdisciplinary training environment supported by existing collaborations between faculty at the School of Medicine and in the College of Science. Student participants make contributions in emerging areas under the description of chemical biology including chemical genetics, nanomedicine, chemical imaging, metabolomics, and synthetic biology while learning to work in a team-science environment. This program creates a uniquely trained and highly diverse student pool that meets the needs of the 21st century scientific workforce.