Biologists and Engineers Advancing Diversity in Research

描述（由申请人提供）： 迈克尔·E。德克萨斯A&M大学的DeBakey研究所提议建立一个短期本科研究项目，旨在增加健康相关研究的多样性。随着生物医学工程师和实验生理学家对血管生物学的研究人员的高度集中，它很好地定位于提供真正集中的跨学科经验。目标是1）提供跨学科的生物医学研究经验，以代表性不足的本科生，2）提供科学沟通技能，职业咨询和网络活动的培训，3）形成一个持久的，多层次的，多学科的科学社区，鼓励过渡到研究生涯。在第一阶段，来自代表性不足的群体的本科生（每年6名工程和6名生命科学）将从德克萨斯州的大学招募。学生将被带到研究所的一个中心位置，为期10周，使用蝙蝠翼模型进行实验性微血管研究。基于从正在进行的计划中获得的经验，将组建六个跨学科，多层次的团队，并负责完成解决微血管科学中开放问题的项目，遵循基于调查的方法。每个团队将由两名研究生（生理学和人类/兽医学）和两名本科生（工程和生命科学）组成。在第二阶段，学生将有机会继续他们的研究在他们的家庭学校使用基于互联网的访问显微镜和计算机介导的通信与前团队成员。在第三阶段，学生将被邀请回到德克萨斯A&M大学在夏天与心血管研究计划的实验室工作。每个学生将直接由实验室主任指导，并将遵循纪律，基于问题的方法。这种整合研究和教学的方法旨在加强致力于其成功的科学界的发展。健康相关性：该计划提供与高血压的原因和治疗相关的潜在机制，血管生长允许肿瘤发展，血管变化与运动以及适应血管中血流阻塞相关的真实研究经验。（摘要完）

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Michael E. DeBakey Institute at Texas A&M University proposes to establish a short-term undergraduate research program designed to increase diversity in health-related research. With a high concentration of investigators of vascular biology by both biomedical engineers and experimental physiologists, it is well-positioned to provide a truly focused interdisciplinary experience. The objectives are 1) to provide interdisciplinary biomedical research experiences to underrepresented undergraduate students, 2) to provide training in scientific communication skills, career counseling, and networking activities, 3) to form a persistent, multilevel, multidisciplinary scientific community that encourages transition to a research career. In Phase I, undergraduate students (6 engineering and 6 life sciences per year) from underrepresented groups will be recruited from colleges throughout Texas. Students will be brought to a central location at the Institute for 10 weeks to pursue experimental microvascular research using the batwing model. Building on the experience gained from an ongoing program, six interdisciplinary, multilevel teams will be formed and charged with completing projects addressing open questions in microvascular science, following an inquiry-based approach. Each team will consist of two graduate students (in physiology and human/veterinary medicine) and two undergraduate students (in engineering and life sciences). In Phase II, students will have the option to continue their research at their home school using Internet-based access to the microscope and computer-mediated communication with former team members. In Phase III, students will be invited back to Texas A&M University in the summer to work in a lab with a cardiovascular research program. Each student will be mentored directly by the lab director, and will follow a disciplinary, problem-based approach. This approach to integrating research and teaching is designed to enhance the development of a scientific community dedicated to their success. Health Relatedness: This program provides authentic research experiences related to the underlying mechanisms related to the cause and treatment of hypertension, vessel growth allowing tumor development, vessel changes with exercise, and adaptation to the blockage of blood flow in vessels. (Abstract End)