Sept. 21, 2010
Marshall Receives $236,659 for Mathmatical Biology Research
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a Rep. Nick Rahall Release
Beckley, WV (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced today that Marshall University has been awarded $236,659 for a brand new Undergraduate Mathematical Biology Research program, which will work to encourage undergraduate research and participation in biology and mathematics.
“Hats off to the team that put this proposal together. Involving undergrads in research serves at least two goals. We skillfully guide and capture the long term imaginations of budding graduate students. Graduate students who will then fill jobs in an increasingly lucrative discipline because it is so central to our everyday lives – the biological sciences,” said Rahall. “As workhorses, the students deliver the building blocks of discovery – mountains of data and hours of patient tedious work, giving us more useful science sooner than later. Marshall’s growing reputation in the biological sciences will be well served by this program.”
Marshall University's UBM program is a new combined education and research initiative that works to prepare mathematics and biological sciences undergraduates for graduate study and future careers that combine these two fields. The program is based around forming teams of students that participate in a summer research program and then continue their research during the next academic year. Students also participate in a Mathematical Biology Seminar where they will present their work and prepare for presentations at local and national symposia and conferences. The program strives to attract freshmen and sophomore students, with an interest in attracting talented female, minority, and Appalachian first generation college students.
Dr. Marcia Harrison, Dr. Simon Collier, and Dr. Jeffrey Kovatch from Biological Sciences and Dr. Anna Mummert and Dr. Scott Sarra from Mathematics at Marshall University received the $236,659 in grant funding for this new program which was awarded through the National Science Foundation. The primary goals of the program are to engage students in year-long mathematical biology projects which will enhance undergraduate student problem solving skills, and give them experience doing scientific experimentation; increase cross-disciplinary research productivity by building teams of undergraduates and faculty from Biological Sciences and Mathematics; and mentor undergraduate students as they organize their plans of study and apply to graduate programs.
“Students from biology and mathematics along with faculty from both disciplines will conduct year-long research projects in areas of biological sciences such as genetics, plant and animal physiology, and environmental sciences,” explained Dr. Marcia Harrison, Program Coordinator. “The intense involvement with the research will enhance the students’ skills at problem solving, experimentation, and communication. Students involved with the long-term projects will also benefit from the mentoring, as this has proven to be a successful mechanism for guiding students to graduate programs. Another goal is to Integrate mathematical biology topics into the curriculum plan through development of new courses, and establish a minor in mathematical biology. The proposed research projects and curriculum enhancements, complement Marshall's new critical thinking curriculum. It is our intention that by creating and nurturing collaborative projects involving undergraduate students and faculty teams from Biological Sciences and Mathematics, we will also increase interdisciplinary research productivity at Marshall.”
“Marshall University attracts top students and faculty to the Huntington area, helping to grow our community, and produce exciting new research, and top-notch professionals,” said Rahall. “The UBM program is one more tool Marshall University now has in its’ belt to assist students to reach their goals and achieve their dreams.”
Applications for the 2011 Marshall-UBM Summer Research Experience will be available in spring 2011. For more information, contact Dr. Marcia Harrison at (304) 696-4867 or email her at harrison@marshall.edu.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Marshall Receives $236,659 for Mathmatical Biology Research
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a Rep. Nick Rahall Release
Beckley, WV (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced today that Marshall University has been awarded $236,659 for a brand new Undergraduate Mathematical Biology Research program, which will work to encourage undergraduate research and participation in biology and mathematics.
“Hats off to the team that put this proposal together. Involving undergrads in research serves at least two goals. We skillfully guide and capture the long term imaginations of budding graduate students. Graduate students who will then fill jobs in an increasingly lucrative discipline because it is so central to our everyday lives – the biological sciences,” said Rahall. “As workhorses, the students deliver the building blocks of discovery – mountains of data and hours of patient tedious work, giving us more useful science sooner than later. Marshall’s growing reputation in the biological sciences will be well served by this program.”
Marshall University's UBM program is a new combined education and research initiative that works to prepare mathematics and biological sciences undergraduates for graduate study and future careers that combine these two fields. The program is based around forming teams of students that participate in a summer research program and then continue their research during the next academic year. Students also participate in a Mathematical Biology Seminar where they will present their work and prepare for presentations at local and national symposia and conferences. The program strives to attract freshmen and sophomore students, with an interest in attracting talented female, minority, and Appalachian first generation college students.
Dr. Marcia Harrison, Dr. Simon Collier, and Dr. Jeffrey Kovatch from Biological Sciences and Dr. Anna Mummert and Dr. Scott Sarra from Mathematics at Marshall University received the $236,659 in grant funding for this new program which was awarded through the National Science Foundation. The primary goals of the program are to engage students in year-long mathematical biology projects which will enhance undergraduate student problem solving skills, and give them experience doing scientific experimentation; increase cross-disciplinary research productivity by building teams of undergraduates and faculty from Biological Sciences and Mathematics; and mentor undergraduate students as they organize their plans of study and apply to graduate programs.
“Students from biology and mathematics along with faculty from both disciplines will conduct year-long research projects in areas of biological sciences such as genetics, plant and animal physiology, and environmental sciences,” explained Dr. Marcia Harrison, Program Coordinator. “The intense involvement with the research will enhance the students’ skills at problem solving, experimentation, and communication. Students involved with the long-term projects will also benefit from the mentoring, as this has proven to be a successful mechanism for guiding students to graduate programs. Another goal is to Integrate mathematical biology topics into the curriculum plan through development of new courses, and establish a minor in mathematical biology. The proposed research projects and curriculum enhancements, complement Marshall's new critical thinking curriculum. It is our intention that by creating and nurturing collaborative projects involving undergraduate students and faculty teams from Biological Sciences and Mathematics, we will also increase interdisciplinary research productivity at Marshall.”
“Marshall University attracts top students and faculty to the Huntington area, helping to grow our community, and produce exciting new research, and top-notch professionals,” said Rahall. “The UBM program is one more tool Marshall University now has in its’ belt to assist students to reach their goals and achieve their dreams.”
Applications for the 2011 Marshall-UBM Summer Research Experience will be available in spring 2011. For more information, contact Dr. Marcia Harrison at (304) 696-4867 or email her at harrison@marshall.edu.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
