REU Site: Interdisciplinary research in a diverse Appalachian ridge and valley ecosystem

桑福德大学将在2013-2014年夏季为12名学生提供为期9周的研究培训。该计划的重点是多学科研究，研究复杂系统的相互作用，从分子到景观尺度，在不同的阿巴拉契亚山脉和山谷生态系统在橡树山州立公园（OMSP）伯明翰附近，AL。有广泛的潜在的学生项目，涉及实地和实验室研究，以解决生态学，种群生物学，植物学，地理学，植物化学，分子生物学、细胞生物学和发病机理。 导师来自桑福德大学的生物和环境科学、化学、地理和药学系。REU学生可以使用各种各样的个人实验室，核心设施（例如，电子显微镜，LC-MS，细胞培养）和独特的OMSP研究设施。学生将进行全职研究，并参加每周一次的研讨会，讨论研究中的道德行为，数据分析，专业沟通技巧，职业机会和研究生院申请流程。除了研究过程，学生将参加专业发展活动和实地考察。 与导师，专家和同学的讨论将帮助参与者比较跨研究主题的复杂生物和生化相互作用。学生是根据学习成绩，专业目标和优秀研究的潜力来选择的。特别鼓励那些在家乡机构参加研究的机会有限的优秀本科生和来自代表性不足的少数群体的学生申请。 学生被跟踪，以确定他们对学习的学术领域的持续兴趣，他们的职业道路，以及研究经验的持久影响。有关该计划的信息将通过各种手段进行评估，包括REU通用评估工具。欲了解更多信息，请访问www.Samford.edu/REU，或联系主要研究者（马利亚Fincher博士，rmfinche@samford.edu）或共同主要研究者（Betsy Dobbins博士，egdobbin@samford.edu）。

A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Sites award has been made to Samford University that will provide research training for 12 students, for 9 weeks during the summers of 2013-2014. The program focuses on multidisciplinary research to study interactions in complex systems ranging from the molecular to the landscape scale in a diverse Appalachian ridge and valley ecosystem at Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP) near Birmingham, AL. There are a wide range of potential student projects, involving both field and laboratory research, to address questions in ecology, population biology, botany, geography, plant chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and pathogenesis. Mentors are from the Departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Geography, and Pharmacy at Samford University. REU students have access to a wide array of individual labs, core facilities (e.g., electron microscopy, LC-MS, cell culture), and the unique OMSP research facility. Students are expected to perform full-time research and to participate in weekly workshops on ethical conduct in research, data analysis, professional communication skills, career opportunities, and the graduate school application process. In addition to the research process, students will participate in professional development activities, and field trips. Discussions with mentors, experts, and fellow students will help participants compare complex biological and biochemical interactions across research topics. Students are selected based on academic record, professional goals, and potential for outstanding research. Outstanding undergraduate students who have limited opportunities to participate in research at their home institutions and students from underrepresented minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Students are tracked to determine their continued interest in their academic field of study, their career paths, and the lasting influences of the research experience. Information about the program will be assessed by various means, including an REU common assessment tool. More information is available by visiting www.Samford.edu/REU, or by contacting the PI (Dr. Malia Fincher at rmfinche@samford.edu) or the co-PI (Dr. Betsy Dobbins at egdobbin@samford.edu).