Targeted Infusion Project: Microbiome Data Science Infusion to Improve Undergraduate Research, Pedagogy, and Workforce Preparation

历史上的黑人学院和大学本科生计划（HBCU-UP）通过有针对性的输液项目支持开发，实施和基于证据的创新模式和方法的研究，以提高HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们可以追求科学，技术，工程或数学（STEM）研究生课程和/或职业。圣奥古斯丁大学的该项目旨在通过纳入植物微生物组课程基础本科生研究经验（CURES）来实施生物学课程的增强。此外，还努力加强该机构的研究能力，建立了微生物组研究实验室，包括支持下一代测序实验分析的必要设备。有证据表明，CURES是一种有效的方法，可以积极影响本科生的学习和劳动力培训成果。该项目描述了通过开发可持续的微生物组CURES框架，并研究CURES整合对学生感知和结果的影响，来利用微生物组在促进生物和环境生态系统稳态方面的重要性。具体而言，CURES模块将侧重于植物微生物组，并包括对与一年生和多年生花卉和其他植物相关的微生物的组成和功能的基于发现的调查。圣奥古斯丁大学微生物组研究实验室的建立提高了技术能力，从而为具有成本效益和可持续的模型研究系统奠定了基础。微生物组研究实验室和CURES模块将共同促进微生物组数据科学和STEM课程中的其他计算生物学研究的整合，促进跨学科研究伙伴关系，并增强教师指导的研究计划。接触创新的微生物学，分子生物学，生态学，植物科学和生物信息学协议将增加本科生准备研究生的机会。预计CURE对代表性不足的学生的有效性研究数据将为STEM教育研究界提供信息。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Saint Augustine’s University seeks to implement curricular enhancements in biology by incorporating plant microbiome course-base undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). In addition, there are efforts to bolster the research capacity of the institution by establishing a Microbiome Research Laboratory, including the necessary equipment to support next generation sequencing experimental analysis. There is evidence to demonstrate CUREs an effective approach to positively impact undergraduate student learning and workforce training outcomes. This project describes efforts to leverage the significance of microbiomes in promoting homeostasis in biological and environmental ecosystems, by developing a sustainable microbiome CUREs framework, and examining the impact of CUREs integration on student perceptions and outcomes. Specifically, CUREs modules will focus on the phyto-microbiomes and consist of discovery-based investigations on the composition and function of microorganisms associated with annual and perennial flowers and other plants. The establishment of the Microbiome Research Laboratory at Saint Augustine's University advances the technological capacity, thereby creating a foundation for a cost-effective and sustainable model research system. Together, the Microbiome Research Laboratory and CUREs modules will facilitate the integration of microbiome data science and additional computational biological investigations in the STEM curriculum, precipitate interdisciplinary research partnerships, and enhance faculty-mentored research programs. Exposure to innovative microbiology, molecular biology, ecology, plant science, and bioinformatics protocols will augment undergraduate readiness for post-graduate opportunities. It is anticipated that data from CUREs efficacy studies on underrepresented students will inform the STEM education research community.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.