Contact: Bob Ratliff
Ten college students are getting their first exposure to scientific research as part of a joint program sponsored by Mississippi State University and the National Science Foundation.
Now in its seventh year, the 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program brings students from throughout the state and nation to MSU's chemistry department. Established by a NSF grant, the program recently received a $175,000 renewal grant for three more years.
Students from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, and Utah make up the class of 2000. Each has a research responsibility and works with an MSU faculty member.
"For many students, the research experience is the first exposure to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment," said project co-director Judith Eglin, associate professor of chemistry. "The program encourages the pursuit of graduate study in science."
Kerry Townsend of Union Grove, Ala., a junior from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, is performing organic chemistry research in the lab of professor Keith Mead, the project's other co-director.
"We work in the lab just like the graduate students, so it's a chance to work one-on-one with the professors," Townsend said. "This is an opportunity to get hands-on experience that you don't normally get as an undergraduate."
In addition to lab work, the students meet weekly as a group to discuss their research experiences. They also must make two presentations to the chemistry department faculty.
"Developing communication skills is an important part of research," Eglin said. "We see the students gain self-confidence as we guide them through the process."
For more information about MSU's Research Experience for Undergraduates program, telephone (662) 325-3584.