REU Site: A Summer Research Program that Integrates Deaf, Hearing and Sign Language Interpreting Participants to Advance Chemistry Research and to Enhance Science Communication

这个本科生研究经验（REU）网站奖授予位于弗吉尼亚州哈里森堡的詹姆斯麦迪逊大学（JMU），支持在2018-2020年夏季对10名学生进行为期10周的培训。在这个由数学和物理科学理事会化学系资助的项目中，Kevin Caran教授、Christine Hughey教授和化学和生物化学系的同事们主持了一个REU网站，将聋人、重听人（D/HH）和手语翻译学生整合到化学研究中。JMU的教职员工在化学的所有主要分支学科提供研究机会，在合成、生物物理化学和材料方面拥有专业知识。此外，学生还参加一系列专业发展活动，旨在加强与其他化学家、其他学科的科学家、公众以及有沟通障碍的人（如聋人和听力障碍）的有效科学交流。参与者包括来自JMU的学生和教师，以及为聋哑学生服务的外部机构或没有广泛研究基础设施的机构。通过让学生参与研究过程的各个方面，从实验设计到结果的传播，该计划旨在降低阻碍STEM领域研究生学习的障碍，特别是对于D/HH学生。JMU化学与生物化学系为博士/硕士学生和教师提供研究机会。学生们参加各种各样的研究项目。一些例子包括：一氧化碳氢化成甲醛，光伏应用的混合材料的发展，以及使用分子动力学来阐明泛素与其底物蛋白结合的机制。D/HH参与者在专业和社交环境中得到专业美国手语（ASL）口译员和学生口译员的支持。这种身临其境的体验为口译学生提供了在科学环境中学习和工作的机会，目标是培养具有实验室经验的专业口译员。除了全职学生口译员外，还会邀请更多的美国手语口译学生到学校观察REU项目一周。这些学生的加入扩大了该项目的影响，使更多的口译学生接触到化学实验室中聋人交流所涉及的挑战和机会。所有REU的听证会参与者，包括来自学院和大学以外的教师和学生，都从与D/HH学生和教师的互动中受益，因为听证会参与者了解到与残疾人包容相关的挑战和机遇。作为这些相互作用的结果，这个REU计划旨在降低这些团体之间未来合作的障碍。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site award to James Madison University (JMU), located in Harrisonburg, VA, supports the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2018-2020. In this program, funded by the Division of Chemistry in the Mathematical and Physical Science Directorate, Professors Kevin Caran, Christine Hughey, and colleagues in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry host an REU site that integrates deaf, hard of hearing (D/HH), and sign language-interpreting students in chemical research. JMU faculty members provide research opportunities in all major sub-disciplines of chemistry, with expertise centered in synthesis, biophysical chemistry and materials. In addition, students participate in a series of professional development activities aimed at enhancing effective science communication with other chemists, scientists in other disciplines, the public, and those with communication disorders (e.g. deaf and hard-of-hearing). Participants include students and faculty from JMU and outside institutions that serve deaf students or institutions that do not have extensive research infrastructure. By involving students in all aspects of the research process, from experimental design to dissemination of results, this program aims to lower the barriers, particularly for D/HH students, that hinder the pursuit of graduate studies in STEM fields.The JMU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides research opportunities for D/HH students and faculty. The students participate in a variety of research projects. Some examples include: the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to formaldehyde, the development of hybrid materials for photovoltaic applications, and the use of molecular dynamics to elucidate the mechanisms of the binding of ubiquitin to its substrate protein. D/HH participants are supported with professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and student interpreters in both professional and social settings. This immersive experience provides interpreting students the opportunity to learn and work in a science environment with the goal of developing professional interpreters with experience in the laboratory. In addition to the full-time student interpreters, additional ASL-interpreting students are invited to campus to observe the REU program for one week. The incorporation of these students expands the impact of the program by exposing a larger number of interpreting students to the challenges and opportunities involved in deaf communication in chemistry laboratories. All REU hearing participants, including faculty and students from outside colleges and universities, benefit from interactions with D/HH students and faculty, as hearing participants gain an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities associated with the inclusion of persons with disabilities. As a result of these interactions, this REU program aims to lower barriers for collaboration between these groups in the future.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.