REU Site: Research Experience in Structural and Functional Neural Biology for Undergraduates

REU网站授予位于密歇根州东兰辛的密歇根州立大学，将在2014-2016年夏季支持8名学生进行为期10周的培训。REU计划向所有美国公民、国民或永久居民的本科生开放。在该项目中训练的学生将获得实验室研究技能，培养他们的批判性思维和解决问题的能力，理解科学的过程，并能够将他们的研究成果传达给同龄人和公众。学生们将有机会在全国会议上展示他们的成果。REU项目为学生提供了一种体验，这是他们在自己的学校通常无法获得的。鼓励来自研究机会有限的学校和代表性不足群体的学生申请。这个REU网站计划将重点研究神经元的结构和功能及其电路。该计划旨在使早期本科生（大一和大二）能够在他们感兴趣的领域进行研究。学生可以选择单独完成自己的项目，也可以在同一研究顾问的指导下进行合作。每个学生将有他/她自己独立的科学问题进行调查。示例项目包括自主/肠神经系统的神经生物学、离子通道结构和功能、神经元细胞骨架、感觉功能、神经元再生和突触生理学。学生将神经生物学原理应用于新颖的当代研究项目，并在他们的研究主题领域获得更深入的知识。在为期10周的项目中，学生们将参加一些活动来提高他们的研究经验，如入学指导、研讨会和讲习班，以及其他为小组组织的活动。在课程结束时，学生将在海报和/或口头报告中展示他们的研究。由生物基础设施司（生物科学理事会）资助的所有REU项目使用的通用网络评估工具将用于确定培训计划的有效性。此外，密歇根州立大学的一名教员将对项目参与者进行离职面谈。学生在项目结束后需要被跟踪，并且必须回复通过NSF报告系统发送的自动电子邮件。更多信息可通过联系PI （William Atchison博士，atchiso1@msu.edu）或设计的Facebook®网站获得。

This REU Site award to Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, MI, will support the training of 8 students in a 10-week program during the summers of 2014-2016. The REU program is open to all undergraduate students who are citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States. Students trained in the program will gain skills in lab research, develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, understand the process of science, and be able to communicate their research results to their peers and the general public. Students will have an opportunity to present their results at a national conference. The REU program provides an experience to students that is typically not available to them at their home institutions. Students from schools with limited opportunities for research and from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.This REU Site program will focus in research on the structure and function of neurons and their circuitry. The program has been designed to enable early undergraduates (freshman and sophomores) to conduct research in their area of interest. Students will have the option of working individually on their own project, or in collaborative pairs under the same research advisor. Each student will have his/her own independent scientific question to investigate. Example projects include the neurobiology of the autonomic/enteric nervous systems, ion channels structure and function, neuronal cytoskeleton, sensory function, neuronal regeneration, and synaptic physiology. Students apply principles of neurobiology to novel, contemporary research projects and gain deeper knowledge in their topical area of research. During the 10-week program, students will participate in activities that enhance their research experience, such as orientation, seminars and workshops, and other organized activities for the group. At the end of the program, students will present their research in a poster and/or oral presentation. A common web-based assessment tool used by all REU programs funded by the Division of Biological Infrastructure (Directorate for Biological Sciences) will be used to determine the effectiveness of the training program. In addition, an MSU faculty member will conduct an exit interview with program participants. Students are required to be tracked after the program and must respond to an automatic email sent via the NSF reporting system. More information is available by contacting the PI (Dr. William Atchison, atchiso1@msu.edu) or a designed Facebook® site.