Monday, June 2, 2008
The University of Kansas department of chemistry selected 10 pariticipants from different schools across the country for its summer research program. For the past 20 years, the program has allowed students research experience and encouraged students to seek an advanced degree in chemistry.
The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week program, targeting sophomores and juniors from smaller institutions with no advance degree in chemistry. The program is paid for by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Mikhail Barybin, program coordinator, said REU gave undergraduates their first real-life research experience. Barybin was an undergrad at the University of Minnesota when he participated in a REU program.
Jimmie Weaver, left, a graduate student in the chemistry department, mentors David Morris, an undergraduate at Hastings College, on chemistry research as part of the NSF REU program. The chemistry department is playing host to the program, which is designed to give research experiences to undergraduates from schools without the research resources that the University has.
REU also offers professional development seminars. Selected students can partake in two seminars: one that introduces students to a career in chemistry and the other that helps them to develop professional skills. Speakers were invited to the program to talk with students and share information about an advanced degree in chemistry.
Barybin said although the program was not primarily a recruiting tool for the University, a number of past participants went to graduate school or became mentors.
Jimmie Weaver, Duncan, Okla., graduate student, in organic chemistry, participated in the REU program in 2003 and is now a mentor. He completed the undergraduate program at Southern Nazarene University and took the summer REU program at the University. He said the program gave him the opportunity to do real life research.
“This program sets you up nicely for what it’s like to be in a lab,” Weaver said.
Weaver said he thought the program achieved its goal by giving experience to students from smaller universities where there was not a lot of research opportunities. He said REU helped him confirm his decision to pursue a career in chemistry.
“If it wasn’t for the program, I would’ve been hesitant to go into that field,” Weaver said.
Barybin said very few students went through the program and realized that they didn’t want to pursue a career in chemical science.
Students were matched with faculty advisors and graduate and post graduate mentors for guidance during the program. Barybin said participants worked on individual research projects, which were presented at the end of the program at the national and regional convention.
Weaver said during his program, his adviser was attentive and involved with him. He said that the University was where students could come and get the attention of a faculty mentor.
His past experience helped him to mentor his student participants. Weaver said he could relate to the undergraduates in the program.
“I’ve asked the question they ask,” he said. “So when they come to me, I can give the logical approach to answering the question.”
Amanda Glass, Emporia graduate student, said her mentor was also attentive. Glass participated in REU in 2005 as an undergraduate at Emporia State.
“I had an amazing mentor. I still go to him,” Glass said.
Glass said REU was a good tool of recruitment and encouraged students to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry. She said the program encouraged her decision. Glass said she hoped students were excited about chemistry and continued to learn about science.
“Where science can be frustrating, there are fewer things that could be more rewarding,” Glass said.
— Edited by Mandy Earles
Professor of physics dies at 76
Raymond Ammar served as chair of the physics department and provided ‘world-class’ ...
Kemper awards presented to 20 professors
Instructors recognized for teaching and advising excellence with $5,000 W.T. Kemper Fellowships
New program lets chemistry students go abroad
Chemistry students get the opportunity to study abroad with the EU Atlantis ...
Stimulus providing fellowships to grad students
Fellowships will be available in early 2010.
Grad life: Getting to know two graduate ...
Two graduate students shed light on the pressures of pursuing a master's, ...
Programs certifying more students
More students are involved in University programs dealing with service, research and ...
Budget cuts decrease number of GTAs, increases ...
Fewer GTAs may affect class dynamics, GTA position renewal and research at ...
Folmsbee: Undergraduate research needs change
Viewing research as purely a resume-builder is an opportunity missed.
Enrollment shows effect of economy
School of Business reports increase in students since economic recession.
Engineering school offers new degree option
Optional computer science emphasis could broaden students' skills and make them more ...
Alumni play different roles now at University
Former students have returned to the University not just for homecoming, but ...
Science departments seek minority students
The University is working with other universities and designing its own programs ...
Professor rises up in medicinal chemistry organization
Barbara Timmerman will become the Society of Pharmocognosy president next year.
Access granted
Even in these tough economic times, students can access grant money from ...
Undergraduates look to diversify their studies
Real-world experience, not just within their major, helps students become more marketable ...
Faculty member receives award for promoting science
Dr. Marigold Linton, director of American Indian Outreach at KU, was awarded ...
New KC art gallery operated by students
The Red Door Gallery is run by University art students, features their ...
Kansas' evolution standards have hurt its reputation
The Kansas State Board of Education's stand in the evolution debate has ...
Senior promotes studying abroad in Germany
After his own meaningful study abroad experience in the country, Andreas Graf ...
Editorial Board: 10-semester limit puts too much ...
Steering committees aim to maximize student success
On Wednesday, a group of steering committees aimed towards maximizing undergraduate and ...
Engineering highlights list of money-making majors
Many students, though, are not getting degrees on PayScale.com's list of most ...
Know your Student Senate candidates
Learn more about the candidates for Student Senate
Kansas Relays director resigns after 6 years
Tim Weaver, director of Kansas Relays, announced his retirement Thursday. Weaver said ...
Female engineers get new support group
Mentor program offers tutoring, advice and support to an extreme minority in ...
Leaving a lasting legacy
As Hemenway prepares to retire, he and others look back at how ...
Ex.C.E.L. award given during Homecoming
One male and one female student receive the award for outstanding academic ...
Microgravity teams test projects at space center
Groups spend time in zero gravity environment to prove hypotheses.
Town hall meeting aims to help students ...
Helping students succeed early on is the key to sustaining college goals.
Journal of Undergraduate Research prepares for third ...
The peer-reviewed and primarily student-run journal is accepting applications.
White House welcomes KU professor
The EPA's newest member is associate professor Karl Brooks.
Once warriors, now students
Veterans wounded in combat fight to find a "normal" life on college ...
Geology professor dies at 70
Kaesler, professor emeritus of geology, won several distinguished awards during his tenure. ...
KU administration changes length of GTA appointments
University officials will allow a 12-semester limit on GTA appointments starting in ...
Journal wants undergraduate research
Editors of the Journal of Undergraduate Research are looking for content for ...
University researcher heads to the Sahara
David Blackburn received a $709,000 grant to research oases in the worlds ...
Editorial: State budget freeze raises concerns
Gov. Mark Parkinson needs to keep his promise and stop cut higher ...
From handball to chemistry: An Irish tale
Irish exchange student Marina Kilduff juggles studies, handball and a busy University ...
University to offer two new degrees
The KU School of Engineering is adapting to the growth in the ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID