OU Provides NSF Undergraduate Research Experience in Structural Biology for University Students Nationwide

-
--> Hunter Glover, University of Oklahoma    
The National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Program in Structural Biology at the University of Oklahoma provides a research experience for students who do not have a program available to them at their institutions. After completing a nine-week summer program on structural biology research, 10 students from universities across the nation presented research results during the Second Annual Curiosity to Creativity Summer Symposium on July 27, 2017, at the Stephenson Research and Technology Center on the OU Research Campus.

“The REU students have really worked hard on their projects, and they have made good progress. We have ‘working lunches’ once a week and during these lunches, the students gain practice at presenting their work orally. Through these meetings, it has become abundantly clear that the students are fully engaged in their research projects and are enjoying this experience,” said OU Program Director Paul Sims.

Students participating in the 2017 summer program are:  Naaila Ali, Clarion University; Kyle Boulanger, Grand View University; Katelyn Comeau, Mt. Saint Mary’s University; Dale Conrad, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Matthew Finneran, Central Michigan University; Hunter Glover, University of Oklahoma; Daniel Griffith, University of Wisconsin; Ashley Kang, Grinnell College; Riya Koshy, Austin College; and Uriel Vasquez, Hamline University.

The summer program is designed to teach students skills in laboratory research, how to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the process of science, and communicating research results to the public. Each student is paired with a mentor and assigned a research project, which varies according to the research of each mentor. The common underlying theme of all research projects though is structural biology. At the end of the program, students present their research results during a poster presentation.

For more information about the NSF Undergraduate Research Experience in Structural Biology, contact OU Professor Paul Sims at psims@ou.edu.
-->

Popular posts from this blog

OU Engineering Students Shine in Community Projects

-
Image
At the University of Oklahoma, a transformative course called Pathways to Engineering Thinking is leaving a mark on OU students and the community. In the first-year engineering course, over 800 students across 16 sections collaborated to tackle real-world challenges presented by community partners. Their projects ranged from developing prosthetic limbs for injured animals to creating innovative solutions for community gardens and zoos. The course aims to guide students through the engineering design process, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving skills.  This semester’s projects reached many areas of the community. Partnerships with the OU Food Pantry, OU Community Garden, Oklahoma City Zoo, OU Engineering K-12 Outreach, a local dog rescue and the City of Norman provided students with real-world challenges to address. Each team delved into issues presented by the partners, working toward delivering functional design solutions by the semester’s end. The heart of the cou
Read more

OU Students Take on Habitat Challenge: Sooners Without Borders Constructs Ramp, More in Iowa

-
Image
In early January, six students from Sooners Without Borders at the University of Oklahoma headed to Des Moines, Iowa, teaming up with Habitat for Humanity. Their goal: construct an accessibility ramp for a local family. Their mission was part of Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge program, providing year-round volunteer opportunities for college students. The students, all from the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, embraced the challenge. Formerly Engineers Without Borders, Sooners Without Borders had changed its name to be more inclusive of all majors at OU, says Lisa Morales, the group's staff adviser. “A lot of projects used to focus on clean water and students had the opportunity to travel abroad. Once Covid happened, we had to shift the focus of Sooner Without Borders,” Morales said.  In Des Moines, the project expanded beyond the ramp, involving tasks like installing kitchen cabinets and flooring for a new home. Morales says she was impressed with the student’s adeptness with
Read more

OU Engineering Welcomes 14 New Faculty Members for 2023-24

-
Image
OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo
Read more