Biologists and Engineers Advancing Diversity in Research

描述(由申请人提供)： 德克萨斯农工大学的迈克尔·E·德贝基研究所提议设立一个短期本科生研究项目，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血管生物学研究人员的高度集中，它处于有利地位，可以提供真正专注的跨学科体验。其目标是1)为未被充分代表的本科生提供跨学科的生物医学研究经验，2)提供科学沟通技能、职业咨询和网络活动方面的培训，3)形成一个持久的、多层次的、多学科的科学社区，鼓励向研究职业的过渡。在第一阶段，来自代表性不足群体的本科生(每年6名工程学学生和6名生命科学学生)将从德克萨斯州各地的大学中招募。学生们将被带到研究所的一个中心位置，为期10周，利用蝙蝠翼模型进行实验性微血管研究。在从正在进行的计划中获得的经验的基础上，将组成六个跨学科、多层次的团队，负责完成解决微血管科学中公开问题的项目，遵循基于调查的方法。每支队伍将由两名研究生(生理学和人类/兽医)和两名本科生(工程学和生命科学)组成。在第二阶段，学生将可以选择在他们的家庭学校继续他们的研究，使用基于互联网的访问显微镜和与以前的团队成员通过计算机进行沟通。在第三阶段，学生们将被邀请在夏天回到德克萨斯农工大学，在一个有心血管研究项目的实验室工作。每个学生都将由实验室主任直接指导，并遵循以问题为基础的纪律方法。这种将研究和教学相结合的方法旨在促进致力于他们成功的科学界的发展。与健康相关：该项目提供与高血压的起因和治疗、允许肿瘤发展的血管生长、运动引起的血管变化以及适应血管内血流阻塞相关的潜在机制的真实研究经验。(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)