UMBC Undergrad Res. Symp. in the Chem. & Biol. Sciences

描述(申请人提供)：本次续签申请要求继续支持为期一天的化学和生物科学本科生研究研讨会。这个研讨会，现在已经是第六个年头了，已经发展成为大西洋中部的一个主要场所，用来展示这两个关键学科的本科生研究及其交界点。研讨会讨论了影响与生物医学研究有关的未来劳动力和智力共享的教育和发展的三个关键因素：(1)本科生参与研究；(2)传统上在相关学科中代表性较低的人群的大量参与；(3)强调跨学科性质的研究。在上一次筹资期间，专题讨论会大幅增长，目前已达到稳定的临界量。在资助的最后一年，研讨会有173篇摘要，350多名注册参与者参加了为期一天的活动，主要集中在本科生研究上。来自49所学院和大学的学生参加，在非裔美国人和妇女中有很强的代表性。按照惯例，学生们向普通观众和评委们展示他们的贡献。最佳演示文稿会获奖，以保持竞争的激烈和高质量。学生们带着明显的活力和热情离开了研讨会。在此请求继续支持这一非常积极的激励和培训经验。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This renewal application requests continued support for a one day undergraduate research symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences. This symposium, now in its sixth year, has evolved into a major Mid- Atlantic venue for presentation of undergraduate research in, and at the interface of, these two key disciplines. The Symposium addresses three critical elements impacting education and development of the future workforce and mindshare relevant to biomedical research: (1) the participation of undergraduates in research; (2) the substantial participation of populations traditionally underrepresented in the relevant disciplines, (3) the emphasis on research that is cross-disciplinary in nature. The last period of funding saw substantial growth of the symposium that is now at a stable and critical mass. In the terminal year of funding, the symposium featured 173 abstracts with more than 350 registered participants in a day-long event that focused exclusively on undergraduate research. Students from 49 Colleges and Universities participated with strong representation among African Americans and women. As has been typical, students present their contributions to the general audience as well as a panel of judges. The best presentations are awarded prizes which keeps the competition keen and of high quality. The students depart the symposium with palpable energy and enthusiasm. Continued support for this highly positive motivational and training experience is requested herein.