University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Programs: Summer REU

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION/DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRAINING IN REDOX BIOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - LINCOLN
NEBRASKA REDOX BIOLOGY CENTER

Program Dates: June 2, 2008 - August 8, 2008 inclusive

Summer REU Information Poster | Application Requirements | Program Requirements | Selection Process | Stipends
Faculty | Summer REU Application |

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Nebraska Redox Biology Center at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, offers qualified undergraduates an opportunity to pursue independent research projects in redox biochemistry.  Research areas range from molecular medicine to environmental biochemistry and plant biochemistry.

Students will participate in exciting projects at the cutting edge of research in redox biology.  They will formulate and test hypotheses, develop experimental problem-solving skills, and receive training in biochemical, biophysical and molecular biology techniques.  Students will also be exposed to a variety of instrumentation such as HPLC and FPLC systems, EPR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and microscopy which are located in the Beadle Center.

The ten-week summer program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense and will place the student with a faculty mentor in whose lab the student’s research project will be pursued.  The student will participate fully in the life of the mentor’s lab.  In addition, there will be informal meetings of all program participants to exchange information on the research being done and to discuss areas of biochemistry/redox biology that are of particular interest and excitement.  There will also be weekly meetings in which various scientists describe the latest advances in their own research or career opportunities in biomedical or biotechnology fields.  Social, recreational and cultural events with program participants and faculty will further enhance informal interactions.  The summer experience will be capped by a luncheon and poster presentation session in which program participants will present a poster on their project and receive certificates of completion.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AND METHOD OF APPLICATIONS

Students seeking a summer research fellowship should have completed, at a minimum, college chemistry through organic chemistry and one year of college biology by the end of the Spring 2008 term.  Students with a strong interest in graduate programs are particularly encouraged to apply.  A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required.  Students who will graduate at the end of the Spring 2008 term are not eligible for this program.  Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the US or its possessions.  Students who will help the University of Nebraska achieve its mission of excellence through diversity are encouraged to apply.

The application for the fellowship for 2008 has closed. Please check back in the Fall 2008 for details on the 2009 program.

If you have questions call Joyce at 402-472-3173 or Donald Becker at 402-472-9652 or email at redox2@unl.edu.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The primary requirement for the program is ten weeks of full-time work in a research laboratory at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  Students must attend the entire program (June 2-August 8, 2008).  In addition, students will attend/complete:

1. Orientation and safety training (June 2-3).  All of the participants will start their research programs the afternoon of June 3.
2. Evening workshops/seminars on preparation for postgraduate studies – writing resumes and personal statements and preparing applications for graduate and/or professional schools.
3. Weekly Seminars – the seminars are hosted by faculty members of the Redox Biology Center will focus on research in their laboratories.
4. Biweekly luncheon seminars on ethical and social issues in science, careers in the life sciences and other interdisciplinary topics.
5. Poster symposium and farewell luncheon (August 8).
6. Voluntary participation in scheduled social events including a program picnic, tours, sporting events and other activities.

PARTICIPATION SELECTION AND LABORATORY PLACEMENT PROCESSES

1. Evidence of academic achievement is important.  Candidates are also evaluated on the strength of their personal statement and letters of recommendation.  Preference is given to students who will have completed three years of full-time undergraduate study by the summer of 2008.
2. Other basic selection criteria include evidence of preparation to carry out research in areas of interest; evidence of communication and teamwork skills; strong interest in postgraduate studies in the life sciences; academic credentials in keeping with requirements for admission to graduate programs; and breadth of interest as evidenced by the student’s course of study and extracurricular activities, hobbies or life experiences.
3. Every effort is made to ensure that students accepted into the NSF/DOD-REU are placed in a research laboratory whose interests match those of the student.  Applicants should bear in mind that the University of Nebraska faculty mentor makes the final placement decision.  It is not always possible to place everyone with the mentor of their choice.
4. All students accepted into the NSF/DOD-REU will be offered placement in a residence hall on the Lincoln campus.  Students may decline this offer and make separate arrangements to live off campus.  Students are cautioned that while there are program funds available to cover housing costs, these are restricted to dorm expenses and will not be provided for any off-campus living arrangements.

STIPENDS, TRAVEL AND LIVING ALLOWANCE
           
Students will receive a stipend of $4000 for the ten-week summer program.  In addition, the program will provide double-occupancy modern dormitory accommodations, a full meals program, parking on campus (as needed), and access to the University Health Care and Recreation Centers.  A travel allowance may be available for those students who are not able to drive to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln campus.

FACULTY REU MENTORS FOR SUMMER 2008 AND THEIR RESEARCH INTERESTS:

James R. Alfano, Professor, Ph.D., Plant Pathology.  Pathogenic strategies employed by bacteria to cause plant diseases focusing on the type III protein secretion system and the bacterial virulence proteins it injects into host cells.

Joseph J. Barycki, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry.  Crystallographic and biochemical characterizations of enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism.

Donald F. Becker, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry.  Redox regulatory mechanisms, protein structure-function relationships and proline metabolism.

Liangcheng Du, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Chemistry.  Biochemistry, chemistry, and biosynthesis of antibiotics and mycotoxins.

Vadim N. Gladyshev, Professor and Director of the Redox Biology Center, Ph.D., Biochemistry.  Biochemistry and genetics of selenocysteine-containing proteins, mechanism of cancer prevention by selenium, bioinformatics, and redox regulation of cellular processes.

Jaekwon Lee, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry.  Mechanisms of metal-ion metabolism, copper transporters, and oxidative stress response.

Marjorie F. Lou, Professor, Ph.D.  Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.  Biochemical mechanisms of ocular degenerative diseases and aging, and redox regulation and metabolism in the eye lens and other tissues.

Ashraf Raza, Research Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry. Proteomics, Mass Spectrometry, Hydrogen Exchange, and Conformational changes in proteins.

Greg A. Somerville, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.  Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.  Elucidation of mechanisms by which Staphylococcus aureus controls virulence factor production in response to nutrient limitation.

Julie M. Stone, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry.  Molecular mechanisms and regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants, the role of PCD in plant development and response to pathogens, and signal transduction.

Mark Wilson, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Biochemistry. Structural biology of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

Summer REU Information Poster | Summer REU Application