Award Abstract #0303923
UMEB - An Integrative Research Experience in Undergraduate Education

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 8, 2003
Latest Amendment Date:	April 24, 2008
Award Number:	0303923
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Sally E. O'Connor DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	July 1, 2003
Expires:	June 30, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$400000
Investigator(s):	Matthew Parris mparris@memphis.edu (Principal Investigator) Jerry Wolff (Former Principal Investigator) E Olusegun George (Co-Principal Investigator) Stephan Schoech (Co-Principal Investigator) Michael Ferkin (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Memphis Administration 315 Memphis, TN 38152 901/678-2533
NSF Program(s):	UNGRAD MENTORING IN ENVIR BIOL
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184
Program Element Code(s):	1135

ABSTRACT

Funding from NSF will support an Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) program at the University of Memphis. We propose to actively involve students from underrepresented ethnic groups in environmental research, thus encouraging them to pursue professions in environmental biology as viable career choices. We plan to use research facilities at The University of Memphis and the Meeman Biological Field Station to provide a unique learning experience for participating undergraduate students. Our goals are to teach the scientific method, critical thinking, data analysis, and writing skills by directly involving students in the development and testing of hypotheses centered on environmental biology. Seven professors from a variety of science and math fields will recruit and mentor minority students from their sophomore-senior years. We have a plan to attract underrepresented students in the sciences and present them with specialty skills-oriented courses, field and laboratory research experiences, and exposure to minority role models to prepare them for professional careers in environmental biology. We have partnered with numerous private and government agencies and potential employment institutions to expose students to academic and professional role models and employment opportunities. Assessment of our program and dissemination of information will include professional presentations and manuscripts, Internet links from the University, and the use of our participants as recruiters for additional candidates. We believe that our UMEB program will nurture excitement for scientific inquiry, increase minority participation in careers in environmental biology, and provide a model for other urban institutions to increase the number of underrepresented groups actively involved in environmental research. This collaborative effort will reinforce the commitment of the mentors and the educational philosophy of our institution to NSF-funded research and education of students who are underrepresented in environmental biology.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Bridge ES; Hylton JL; Eaton MD; Gamble LG; Schoech SJ.  "Cryptic plumage signaling in Aphelocoma scrub-jays,"  Journal of Ornithology,  v.149,  2008,  p. 123.

Ferkin MH; Combs A; del Barco-Trillo J; Pierce AA; Franklin SP.  "Meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, have the capacity to recall the "what", "where", and "when" of a single past event.,"  Animal Cognition,  v.11,  2008,  p. 147.

Freeman DA; Teubner BJ; Smith CD; Prendergast BJ.  "Exogenous T3 mimics long day lengths in Siberian hamsters,"  Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.,  v.292,  2007,  p. R2368.

Parris MJ; Reese E; Storfer A.  "Antipredator behavior of chytridiomycosis-infected northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) tadpoles,"  Canadian Journal of Zoology,  v.84,  2006,  p. 58.

Pierce AA; Iwueke I; Ferkin MH.  "Estradiol titers, food deprivation and sexual behavior in meadow voles,"  Physiology and Behavior,  v.90,  2007,  p. 353.


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