REU Site in Chemistry and Biology at Georgia Southern University: Focus on Underrepresented Minorities

This award by the Chemistry and Biological Sciences Divisions supports a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at Georgia Southern University for the summers of 2006-2008 for both chemistry and biology students. The program director is Mary Boyd who is assisted by co-PI Todd Deal. Ten students, recruited from LSAMP programs in the southeastern U.S., will participate in this ten-week program involving faculty mentors from Georgia Southern Universitys chemistry and biological science departments in research projects designed to develop critical-thinking and problem solving skills. A weekly workshop series will promote the students professional development, and a broad range of social activities is planned to develop an esprit de corps among the participants. Students will be strongly encouraged to present their research at a national or regional conference, and to publish the results of their research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The program will culminate in a Student Research Symposium, where students will present research posters.