COGS welcomes undergraduate research students
The College of Graduate Studies was host to a welcome reception for this year’s Summer Undergraduate Research Students, June 18, at the Gazes/Thurmond Building. Since 1980, 683 undergraduates have participated in the program. Dean Perry V. Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., welcomed the undergraduates to MUSC.
Microbiology
and Immunology grad students Jan Woraratanadharm, left, and Jennifer Schepp
join undergraduate research student La’Marcus Wingate, a Clemson student,
during the reception at June 18.
The reception allowed all participating students, faculty mentors and graduate students to meet and talk on an informal basis.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program introduces students to the world of basic biomedical research with hands-on experiences they may not have had at this point. Direct experience with research before their final year of college will allow them to make decisions about a research career which may be fostered by entry into the graduate school or medical school from a sound factual basis.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program reached a record high of 45 student participants—up from 12 at its beginning in 1980.
Students are recruited from colleges across the nation for a period of 10 weeks. The primary goal of the program is to encourage students to choose careers in biomedical research.
Participant
Erin Will of Iowa State University talks with physiology grad student Scott
Bowers. The pair were among 45 undergraduate participants, faculty, mentors
and graduate students that were recognized by the College of Graduate Studies’
Summer Undergraduate Research program for 10 weeks this summer.
At the beginning of their summer research program, the students choose a faculty mentor and research project. The students are guided through the research project but are encouraged to develop a degree of independence. At the end of the program, students present their research projects to other students and faculty with oral presentations.
“The students are encouraged to participate in the Annual University Student Research Day on Friday, Nov. 1,” said Hester Young, director of student programs, College of Graduate Studies.
The program is supported by a National Science Foundation grant, a National Institute of Health grant, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, various department faculty, South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation, and the College of Graduate Studies. In addition to their laboratory experience, they attend an informal lecture series given by the faculty three mornings a week.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is one of three Summer Research Recruitment Programs coordinated through the College of Graduate Studies. Others include: The Summer Health Professions Program and the Governor’s Summer High School Research Program.
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