REU Site: Summer Program in the Biochemical Sciences

Project Summary: The Summer Program in the Biochemical Sciences at the University of Kentucky is a ten week program that involves undergraduates in cutting edge research. The goal of the Site is to encourage student participants recruited mainly from Appalachia to pursue careers in the biochemical sciences. Our recruiting will have an emphasis on students from institutions with few research opportunities and from under-represented groups. Eight students will be selected to work with mentors from the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. Intellectual Merit Student participants will each have their own research project. They will be expected to participate in the formulation of hypotheses, design and execution of experiments, and the analysis and presentation of the results. In addition, students will receive training in aspects of research including safety, ethics and scientific communication. The program will culminate with the students presenting their data in short talks. The students will interact extensively with research personnel of all levels. The Department has a long and successful track record of involving undergraduates in research. Many of these have continued on to careers in science, as researchers and teachers. The Department is well equipped and has the facilities to allow student participants to carry out cutting edge research. Broader Impacts The goal of this REU Site is to encourage students from the impoverished Appalachia region to pursue careers in the biochemical sciences. Emphasis will be put on recruiting students from institutions with few research opportunities and from underrepresented groups. The participants will be provided with research experience, as well as instruction on career opportunities in the biochemical sciences. The success of the Site will be determined by extensive evaluations of the Site each Summer and of the career paths of the students who have participated.