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

桑福德大学获得了本科生研究体验(REU)SITES奖，将在2013-2014年夏季为12名学生提供9周的研究培训。该计划专注于多学科研究，以研究位于亚利桑那州伯明翰附近橡树山州立公园(OMSP)的阿巴拉契亚山脉和山谷生态系统中从分子到景观尺度的复杂系统之间的相互作用。有广泛的潜在学生项目，包括实地和实验室研究，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、细胞生物学和病因学方面的问题。导师来自桑福德大学生物和环境科学系、化学系、地理系和药剂系。REU的学生有机会接触到一系列单独的实验室、核心设施(如电子显微镜、LC-MS、细胞培养)和独特的OMSP研究设施。学生需要进行全日制研究，并参加每周一次的研讨会，内容涉及研究中的道德行为、数据分析、专业沟通技能、职业机会和研究生院申请过程。除了研究过程，学生还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研究主题中复杂的生物和生化相互作用。学生是根据学业成绩、专业目标和杰出研究潜力来挑选的。特别鼓励在本国机构参与研究机会有限的优秀本科生和少数族裔群体的学生提出申请。对学生进行跟踪，以确定他们对学术研究领域的持续兴趣、他们的职业道路以及研究经验的持久影响。关于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，或联系国际组织(Malia Fincher博士，电子邮件：rmfinche@samford.edu)或共同国际组织(Betsy Dobbins博士，电子邮件：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).