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

REU Site奖授予密歇根州立大学，位于密歇根州东兰辛，将在2014-2016年夏季支持为期10周的8名学生的培训。REU计划向所有是美国公民、国民或永久居民的本科生开放。接受该项目培训的学生将获得实验室研究技能，发展他们的批判性思维和解决问题的能力，了解科学的过程，并能够与他们的同龄人和普通公众交流他们的研究成果。学生们将有机会在全国会议上展示他们的成果。REU项目为学生提供了他们在本国机构通常无法获得的体验。鼓励来自研究机会有限的学校和代表不足的群体的学生申请。这个REU站点项目将专注于神经元及其电路的结构和功能的研究。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结对合作。每个学生都有自己的独立科学问题要调查。实例项目包括自主神经/肠道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。学生将神经生物学的原理应用于新颖的、当代的研究项目，并在其研究的主题领域获得更深入的知识。在为期10周的计划中，学生将参加增强他们研究经验的活动，如迎新、研讨会和工作坊，以及为小组组织的其他活动。在课程结束时，学生将以海报和/或口头陈述的形式介绍他们的研究成果。将使用生物基础设施司(生物科学局)资助的所有REU项目使用的通用网络评估工具来确定培训方案的有效性。此外，密歇根州立大学的一名教职员工将与项目参与者进行离职面谈。学生必须在项目结束后被跟踪，并必须回复通过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®站点获得。

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.