LS UROP life sciences undergraduate research opportunity program

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1 LS UROP life sciences undergraduate research opportunity program Office of Undergraduate Research 150 Bond Life Sciences Center undergradresearch.missouri.edu Summer 2017 & Academic Year Background The Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (LS UROP) is pleased to announce its internships for Interns will participate in theoretical, and/or applied life science research with MU faculty mentors in the field or in a laboratory. Students must make arrangements with a faculty mentor prior to submitting an application. Those planning to enter masters or doctorate level programs in the life sciences or considering a research career in the life sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. This is a full-time research program. In addition to lab work, interns are required to attend evening seminars and small group workshops throughout the program. Students are not allowed to enroll in coursework while participating in the program. Though interns are encouraged to register for research credit with their LS UROP mentor as the instructor. The program does not cover enrollment fees or educational expenses. Permission for another class may be granted in extremely rare cases. Approval must be obtained before accepting the internship. Faculty mentors conduct life science research in a variety of colleges, schools, and departments including Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Fisheries & Wildlife, Forestry, Plant Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine & Surgery, Pathobiology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ophthalmology, Anatomical Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Bioengineering. There are also many interdisciplinary programs including the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, the Food for the 21st Century Program, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Neurosciences, Genetics Area Program, and the Conservation Biology Program. Students should check department's websites for faculty research areas. Eligibility Applicants must be students who have completed two or more semesters at MU prior to the internship. Students graduating before May 2018 are ineligible for academic year funding, and before August 2017 are ineligible for any LS UROP funding. Freshmen must have worked with their mentor for three or more months before the application deadline. Students who have received prior LS UROP funding may apply. Students do not have to major in a life sciences discipline however, the Committee expects a strong interest in the life sciences shown through coursework and experiences. Summer Program Summer interns conduct research on campus with a faculty mentor for a minimum of nine-weeks (May 31-July 28, 2017). However, we encourage interns to begin their projects earlier. A mandatory orientation session is on Wednesday, May 31 and the program culminates with a required poster session on July 27. Summer interns receive a $3,800 stipend paid in two installments. LS UROP students may not accept funding from another source during the internship. Academic Year Program Academic Year interns conduct research on campus with a faculty mentor for an average of 15 hours/ week during both the fall and spring semesters. Interns are required to present a research poster at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum in April Interns receive a $3,000 stipend, paid in four installments. Students may enroll for 3 hours of research credit through their major department each semester. LS UROP does not cover enrollment fees and educational expenses. LS UROP students may not accept funding from another source during the internship. Stipends Academic Year stipends will be processed through the MU Office of Financial Aid and it will be calculated into your overall scholarships. The stipend may impact your financial aid package. Students are encouraged to talk to their financial aid advisor before accepting the internship. Similarly, if you are an intercollegiate athlete, your stipend may impact your athletic scholarship or eligibility. After Financial Aid processes the stipend, the payment will be placed in your MU student account. If you have any outstanding payments owed to the University (bookstore charges, housing, parking tickets, etc.), The Cashier's Office will pay these bills before a payment is issued. Summer Interns: If you enroll in a research credit

2 hour your stipend will be processed through Financial Aid as above. If you do not enroll in research credit hours, your stipend will be processed through the Accounting Office and will be subject to taxes on your 2017 tax forms. Finding a Mentor & Developing a Project You are encouraged to consider faculty mentors both outside of and within your major. Your mentor must be able to guide you in the development of your project, and in your research. Some projects are best served by co-mentors. In that case, choose a primary mentor but obtain recommendation letters from both. There is no limit to the number of students one faculty member may mentor. However, the mentor must clearly rank the students applying to work under his/her mentorship in the recommendation letter. Your project may be inspired by a course you have taken, the research of your mentor, or an idea of your own. Project proposals should be developed and written by the student even if, the idea was your mentor's. Together you should agree on the nature and scope of your project, the method of inquiry, a timetable, and the means by which you will meet your personal goals. Your project should be hypothesis driven and provide educational experiences. Application Applications and recommendation letters must be submitted to ugr@missouri.edu by February 15, 2017 Applications must include: 1) Two page application. Must be typed or printed clearly. If you have prior experience: Include the time period, your mentor, if you received academic credit, wages, or stipend, how much you worked, and if it was part of a formal internship program. Lab jobs can also be listed here. 2) Project Proposal 2 pages, single spaced, 12 pt. font Title of your project (6-20 words). Introduction of the topic and the problem, the big picture, why the topic is significant to the life sciences. Clear questions or hypotheses to be tested. A description and explanation of research approaches, information to be collected, planned analyses, and activities to be accomplished during the internship -- not detailed techniques or protocols. Explain what you believe your results may yield. Describe how you will contribute to the project. Students are expected to read appropriate journal articles related to their project. Cite 3-5 articles in your proposal. Include a reference list at the end. Visit Undergraduate Research in 150 Life Sciences Center to see sample project proposals. 3) If your project is not in life sciences (i.e. physics or chemistry), provide an additional statement on the relationship between your project and the life sciences. 4) A personal statement (1 page, single space, 12 pt. font) relating your internship to future career goals. 5) A current Student Academic Profile, including Fall 2016 grades found on MYZOU. 6) A resume is not required but is encouraged. 7) At least two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from your research mentor. Ensure they read the faculty mentor information below. Your second letter should be from a science faculty member with whom you have taken a class or have worked. No TAs, lab techs, or non-science faculty. You may include a third letter from non-science faculty, a staff member, etc. If you have research experience in the past year, your supervisor there must provide a letter of recommendation or you may explain why you didn't obtain one. Letter writers should be able to describe your interest in the life sciences, your potential as a researcher, and your critical thinking skills. Letters about character and leadership are not helpful for this application. Selection & Notification On average, it takes four to six weeks to review applications and make final selections. As soon as decisions are made, we will contact students by MU . Regardless of status, all applicants and mentors will receive official notification. We expect to fund 11 students for summer and 11 for the academic year. Some may be funded for both. Please contact Jenn Sanders with questions at SandersJenni@missouri.edu or

3 Other Opportunities MU Undergraduate Research & Creative Achievements Forum Tuesday, April 18, 2017 McQuinn Atrium Bond Life Sciences Center Application Deadline March 15th, 2017 LS UROP Workshops Thursday, January 19, :00-5:00 pm Room 102, Bond Life Sciences Center Monday, January 23, :00-4:00 pm Room 102, Bond Life Sciences Center For more information visit 150 Bond Life Sciences Center, or Jenn Sanders at Society of Undergraduate Researchers in Life Sciences SURLS is a student run club and holds monthly meetings that include student and faculty presentations, journal article discussions, and GRE prep ideas. If interested, contact President Caroline Dunn at cmd6n2@mail.missouri.edu. MU Life Sciences Week Poster Sessions April 10-14, 2017 Abstracts Deadline in March 2017 Nutrition & Exercise Physiology Undergraduate Research Internship The Department of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology (NEP) and Food for the 21st Century-Nutrition Cluster is pleased to sponsor the NEP Undergraduate Research Internship for MU students to gain research experience in the fields of Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology. It is a 9-month (academic year) internship, with an option to apply for a summer extension. The department includes faculty from three MU colleges (Human Environmental Sciences, School of Medicine, and CAFNR). Faculty mentors must be from the list of faculty on the departmental web site. Preference will be given to majors within the department. The application deadline is April 1. The stipend is $3000 for the academic year plus $1000 for the faculty mentor to support the costs associated with the research. Students who successfully complete the 9-month internship are eligible to apply for a competitive summer extension. The stipend for the summer is $4000 plus $1000 for the faculty mentor to support costs associated with the research. Note this extension will only go to students who have demonstrated significant productivity and have the enthusiastic support of their mentors. Contact Dr. Catherine Peterson at petersonca@missouri.edu for more information ns.missouri.edu/ug_summerintern.html or TRAVEL AWARDS Travel Awards enable undergraduates to attend regional, national, and international scientific meetings and conferences. These awards of no more than $600 cover transportation, lodging, and student registration fees. Students must apply at least six weeks prior to travel. The research does not need to have been supported by LS UROP. For more information visit undergradresearch.missouri.edu. undergradresearch.missouri.edu

4 Faculty Mentor Information and Form Summer 2017 and Academic Year Thank you for agreeing to serve as a faculty mentor to our LS UROP applicant. Please read the following instructions and fill out the information below. Additionally, recommendation letters should include the following information: Previous interactions you have had with the student. Your perception of their academic/scientific potential. How the student will contribute to the project The educational climate of the research setting Who will supervise the undergraduate intern? The range of educational opportunities in the laboratory If the student is to receive continued funding from LS UROP, McNair, etc. rationalize the benefit of this. If you have agreed to mentor two or more applicants clearly rank the students within the recommendation. If not done the letters will be returned. Please indicate how long and to what extent the student has been working with you. The Committee looks favorably on project proposals that are developed and written by the student; however, the initial idea for the project need not be student-generated. Please evaluate the level of contribution the student gave to preparing their project proposal, and use one of these ratings in your letter: Insignificant: No time spent or student was too young. Limited: Student and mentor shared brief discussions LS UROP life sciences undergraduate research opportunity program about the project; student did not have much input. Moderate: Student read research literature and prepared an average rough draft. Considerable: Student prepared a strong draft or outline of project prior to mentor's input. Extensive: Applicant actively developed the project and/or wrote proposal independently. Students who have received prior funding from LS UROP programs may apply to continue their project or seek another mentor or project to broaden their experience. However, priority may be placed on new applicants. Faculty mentors are encouraged to seek other sources of funding for students who have received LS UROP funding prior to now. The Committee appreciates a description of the efforts mentors have made to secure other sources of funding for students in their team. Please include this form with your letter of recommendation. Send both items to ugr@missouri.edu. You do not need to send a hard copy of either. Letters are due February 15 and will not be accepted after the deadline. The student's application will not be complete until this form and your letter are received. Mentor's Name Laboratory Address Student Applicant Name Department Mailing Address Mentor's Check List for Faculty Mentor Recommendation Letters 1. I have more than one student applying to work with me. I have ranked them in my letters of recommendation. 2. A student applying to work with me has already been funded through a formal MU program. I have described any attempts I have made to secure additional funding, and the value added to the student by continued funding. 3. I have described the educational climate that the student will work in and who will supervise the student. 4. I have described what the student will do over the course of their research experience. 5. I have described the extent to which the student was involved in developing the project proposal. (Insignificant, limited, moderate, considerable, or extensive) Faculty Mentor Signature Date

5 Application for LS UROP (Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) Summer 2017 and Academic Year Please consider application for: Summer 2017 Academic Year Summer 2017 & Academic Year Please print in ink or type. Name: Major: Preferred Name (if different from above) MU Student ID#: School Address/Zip/Local Phone MU Address: Permanent Address/Zip/Permanent Phone County (not country, COUNTY): High School: Cell Phone: Academic History: Name of College/University Attendance Dates GPA University of Missouri from: to: Present from: to: from: to: Expected month/year of graduation: / (Required) Please list courses you are taking Spring semester: Memberships in academic, social or athletic organizations: Academic & extracurrciular honors, distinctions, scholarships, etc: MU Faculty Mentor: Primary Department: Faculty Mentor

6 Although previous research experience is not required, if you have experience, please describe below. Semester/year faculty mentor/institution academic credit? salary/stipend? hours/week what program? If you are NOT applying for Summer 2017 Funding, please describe your plans for summer 2017 Do you plan to apply to a graduate degree program? MA/MS PhD MD MD/PhD Other Not sure No Graduate/professional interest/career objective: Is there any special circumstance you wish to have taken into account when your application is considered?: Are you applying to any other internship programs? Check all that apply. Arts & Science McNair Nutrition & Exercise Physiology Off-Campus Summer Program References: List anyone from whom a letter of recommendation has been requested. Name/Title Department (mentor) (science faculty) (optional) (optional) Don t forget to attach with a paper clip (do not staple)... * a current, unofficial MU transcript * project proposal (2 pages single spaced, 4 pages double spaced) * a personal statement (1 page) * a resume (optional but recommended) Letters of recommendation are to be sent DIRECTLY to Jenn Sanders by February 15, They may be ed to UGR@missouri.edu You are responsible for requesting these letters. Please make sure your mentor has read "information for mentors." Applicant Signature: Date: Return your application form and required attachments to: Office of Undergraduate Research, 150 Bond Life Sciences Center. Application materials are due February 15, 2017.