ENHANCING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES - UW/CASPER COLLEGE

University Of Wyoming, Laramie WY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Funds are used to provide the Casper College/ University of Wyoming INBRE (formerly BRIN) Undergraduate Fellowship Program. The program provides financial support for stipends, equipment, supplies, and travel for students and Casper College (CC) and University of Wyoming/Casper College (UW/CC) faculty engaged in biomedically related research. Interested students apply to the CC Biology Department that selects fellows based on academic achievement, letters of recommendation, and potential for future academic and professional success in biomedical fields. Opportunities in Casper provide students with laboratory experience. Students work on projects incorporating techniques and concepts commonly used in biomedical investigations including;microbial identification, DNA fingerprinting, PCR, electrophoresis, protein expression, microscopy, data analysis, diagnostic parasitology, taxonomy and molecular systematics, and disease ecology/epidemiology. During the reporting period we continued the INBRE fellowship program initiated under the original BRIN Community College Grant Program. In addition to supporting fellows we also provide laboratory training, equipment and supplies to support independent study projects for academic credit by students not on fellowships. Students excelling in for credit studies are encouraged to seek fellowship support. For this reporting period we had 6 students supported by fellowships that worked in the laboratories of Drs. Seville, Motriuk-Smith, Chase and Madsen. During 08-09 an additional 4 undergraduate and 3 graduate students received training and conducted research using INBRE equipment and supplies. INBRE equipment and supplies were also used to work with local high school faculty to conduct lessons on DNA fingerprinting and microbial ecology of hydrothermal springs.