Summer Training in Alcohol Research

The University of Kentucky offers a 10-­week, paid laboratory experience for talented undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in alcohol-­related disorders such as alcoholism, fetal alcohol syndrome, cancer, and pain. This is a competitive program designed for students considering a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-­related fields, but especially graduate study. Opportunities range from applied psychological approaches in humans to basic cellular mechanisms of alcohol action in cell culture. Students will spend the summer performing independent research under the supervision of faculty mentors, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, give a scientific presentation that describes their accomplishments, and have the opportunity to contribute to front-­line research in either of these areas.

Meet Kaitlyn. She is a Psychology major and current URA (Undergraduate Research Award) Scholar. Her research focuses on the psychological sense of community for first-generation Latin American immigrants. She also serves as a research assistant in the Making Words Count Lab.

How did you find your mentor for year research, scholarship, or artistic project?
I am a research assistant in the Making Words Count Lab. My research mentor is Dr. Anne Brodsky. I was really interested in her work on risk and resilience in Afghan communities. I read some of her published research and thought it was really interesting and innovative.  

What project are you working on?
In December 2012, when I began working in the Making Words Count lab, our team was in the process of collecting interviews for our Community and Immigration study. We interview first- and second-generation Latin American immigrants and third-generation or more U.S. born citizens. Our research seeks to understand how these groups experience psychological sense of community, as well as to understand the acculturation practices of immigrants from Latin American countries. Our team has almost finished transcribing and checking our data now, so we’ve made great progress in the past year.  

Do you get course credit for this work?
I have taken Honors 400, Psych 498, and I will be enrolled in Psych 499 in the spring.  

What academic background did you have before you applied for the URA?
I worked for two different professors before I began in the Making Words Count lab. As well, I have taken many psychology classes, including two research methods courses. My English classes provided me with concise writing skills, which is important for the application.  

Was the application difficult to do?
The application was not difficult, but thought-provoking. It was a great exercise in understanding the research methods I planned to use and what direction I wanted my ideas to take.  

What has been the hardest part about your research?
I’m new to the field of community psychology and never had any training in qualitative methods, so that learning curve felt overwhelming at first. If possible, I’d recommend taking classes that are as close to your research methodology and subject area as possible before you begin to ease the process.  

What was the most unexpected thing?
The amount of work that is put into doing “background” preparation for the actual data analysis and write-up is surprising.  

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
I would highly recommend getting involved in any and all research opportunities available. Research is an amazing way to both learn about an academic field as well as be a part of contributing to it. In addition, the people you meet through your research can become really great resources. My research mentor and the graduate students in our lab have both been amazingly helpful and supportive of my interests, and having them as role models and academic advisers has been one of my favorite parts of the research experience.

Read her abstract here...

Interested in getting a graduate degree at UMBC? Learn about the UMBC Master's Degree in Public Policy (MPP) at an information session on Monday, March 10 at 7:00 pm in Room 438 of the Public Policy Building. Enjoy a light dinner and talk with faculty and current students about the field of public policy, career opportunities, and how to apply to our MPP and combined BA/MPP program. Those interested in the PhD degree are also welcome to attend.

This event is open to prospective students on and off campus. To register, e-mail your name, year and major to Sally Helms (helms@umbc.edu).

Most scientist accept the RNA world hypothesis, which states that RNA was the first biological molecule due to its ability to copy itself and pass along genetic traits. However, Nicholas Hud, a chemist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, wasn’t convinced.

A recent article in WIRED, courtesy of Quanta Magazine, discusses Hud’s experiment with the building blocks of RNA. The experiment made a breakthrough with the discovery of a chemical recipe that points to the existence of a molecule that might pre-date RNA.

Quanta interviewed Stephen Freeland, director of UMBC’s interdiscipinary studies program, for the article. “In my opinion, nothing like this has been seen before,” Dr. Freeland said, before going on to say that the experiment leads to conceptual progress, even if it did not use the exact components of the unknown molecule.

Summer 2014 - Research Experience for Undergraduates

Sensors and Sensing: From Molecules to Applications
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Florida International University
The main objective of the REU program is to expose undergraduate students to interdisciplinary research in the field of sensing, monitoring and detection.

During the 10 week program (5/19/14-7/26/14) the participants will closely work with faculty and graduate students on cutting edge research projects that bridge traditional chemistry disciplines. Beside full time research, participants will be involved in weekly seminars and workshops focused on modern problems in the chemistry of sensing, monitoring and detection, ethics in science, professional growth, and the role of the scientist in modern society.

The REU program provides a $ 5,200 summer stipend. In addition, housing and travel, (including travel for presentation of work in conferences) is provided by the program . Sophomore, junior, and rising senior students are encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2014