University of Chicago Undergraduates Gain Professional Research Experience at 麻花星空视频
Ten undergraduates from the University of Chicago are gaining substantive, project-based, and professional research experience at the 麻花星空视频 this summer through the 麻花星空视频/Jeff Metcalf Summer for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) Program.
The goal of this 12-week program is to immerse undergraduates in scientific research by training with leading scientists who are at the 麻花星空视频 during the summer.
鈥淭he Metcalf SURF Program is an outstanding example of the 麻花星空视频/UChicago partnership, which promotes opportunities for research and educational advancement,鈥 says Rae Nishi, Director of Education at the 麻花星空视频.
Students begin by proposing a project, and are paired with an 麻花星空视频 scientist whose expertise parallels their own curiosities and career goals. In an effort to create a comprehensive research experience, 麻花星空视频 mentors guide students toward successful project completion, providing hands-on training either in the field or at the lab bench.
The Program is enriched by weekly brown-bag lunches with summer 麻花星空视频 scientists, networking opportunities with other undergraduates on campus, and evening seminars, as well as a variety of cultural and social activities. Additional workshops are also offered to assist in professional development. The summer culminates in a symposium, allowing students to present their projects to peers and the 麻花星空视频 community, prior to submission of a final paper.
This year鈥檚 Metcalf SURF students are interested in a variety of research areas, including microbiology, neurodegeneration, oceanography, ecology, and more. The 2016 participants are:
Alexandra Sjaarda
鈥淪pecies Analysis of Micron-Scale Biogeography of the Human Oral Microbiome鈥
Mentor: Jessica Mark Welch, Bay Paul Center
Isa Alvarez
鈥淪ea Star Associated Densovirus (SSaDV) and the Microbiome鈥
Mentor: David Mark Welch, Bay Paul Center
Molly Bennett
鈥淰isualizing and Interpreting the Spatial Organization of Subgingival Plaque through Spectral Imaging Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)鈥
Mentor: Jessica Mark Welch, Bay Paul Center
Nikita Mehta
鈥淚nvestigating the Effects of Amyloid Beta (AB) on Mitochondrial Function and Long Term Potentiation in Hippocampal Neurons and Mouse Models of Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease鈥
Mentor: Elizabeth Jonas, Whitman Center
Tynan Bowyer
鈥淐hanging Marsh Landscape over Decades of Rising Sea Level鈥
Mentor: Ivan Valiela, Ecosystems Center
David Vishny
鈥淢arine Microbial Ecology and the 鈥淧lastisphere鈥: Community Assembly, Competition and Growth鈥
Mentor: Linda Amaral Zettler, Bay Paul Center
Michael Sloyan
鈥淎rtificial Microfluidic Droplet Interfaces as Functional Mimics of the Cytoskeletal Cortex鈥
Mentor: John Oakey, Whitman Center
Olivia Cattau
鈥淎nalyzing the Metrics of Rapid Neural Polyphenism in Cephalopod Molluscs鈥
Mentor: Roger Hanlon, Bell Center
Vishok Srikanth
鈥淚n Vitro Studies of Eukaryotic Ribozyme-Associated Mobile Genetic Elements鈥
Mentor: Irina Arkhipova, Bay Paul Center
Petry Byl
鈥淎ssessing Microbial Coordination over Time and Space in Siders Pond: Insights into Microbial Metabolic Networks that Drive Earth鈥檚 Biogeochemical Cycles鈥
Mentors: Julie Huber, Bay Paul Center / Joe Vallino, Ecosystems Center