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| Undergraduate
Researchers Prepare For Summer Experience |
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| Research Experience for Undergraduates
Program partners students with faculty members for research guidance.
Often the work results in published papers, as well as the excitement
of making scientific discoveries.
May 19, 2005 Beginning in June, 10 students will begin a summer of research in collaboration with campus chemistry and biochemistry professors. They are part of the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates Program. Cal State Fullerton’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has participated in the program for more than 25 years, and since 1992, has received more than $874,000 in funding – a testament to the department’s focus on a hands-on undergraduate research experience. “We’re one of the few non-doctoral granting institutions that comes up on top in the competition to receive this funding,” says Maria Linder, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who co-directs the annual summer program. This year’s award totals $63,937. “It’s a competitive renewal, and we compete with major institutions for it.” The program partners students – who come from campus, as well as community colleges and other universities around the nation – with faculty members for individualized research guidance. Often the work results in published papers, as well as the excitement of making scientific discoveries. “The program is designed to recruit students for careers in research and to allow them to see whether this is of interest to them,” says Linder. “We don’t have enough American students going into chemical sciences careers. “Working in the laboratory and doing research is something that most undergraduates at other institutions don’t get to do much, except in the cookbook sense, and they don’t get to explore unknown questions,” Linder adds. “Our college is well known for our undergraduate research emphasis.” Last summer a REU student helped Linder find a new blood enzyme that oxidizes iron. “This is a significant finding, and the research continues, but she was able to participate in a groundbreaking discovery,” says the professor. “Each of us is building on past research,” says Peter de Lijser, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who has participated in the REU summer program for six years. “The work that’s accomplished by the REU students is like a shot in the arm in terms of progress.” This year, Cal State Fullerton students Jennie Kittipha and Kira Lindwall, both seniors majoring in biochemistry, were among the 10 students selected from more than 260 applicants, according to Mark Filowitz, co-director of the REU program and lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry. Fellow Titan and senior biochemistry major Anh Nguyen will participate in the program as the winner of the Nagel Scholarship. Off-campus students taking part in the program come from the University of Puget Sound, UC Davis, Syracuse University, University of Florida, Dickinson College, Sierra College, St. John’s University, College of Wooster and Fullerton College. All of the participating faculty members have had REU students co-author papers, and students additionally benefit as they prepare for graduate school. “Recognition for your work is very rewarding, both for the faculty and the students,” says de Lijser. “Especially when the scientific community respects what you do.” |
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