Research Symposium July 29
7/22/2011
Contact: Dr. Michael Fultz
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
West Virginia State University
304-766-3106
WVSU to Host Third Summer Research Symposium
Institute, WV – West Virginia State University (WVSU) will host the 3rd Annual Summer Research Symposium for undergraduates and local science teachers. Dr. Katherine Harper, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, will host the symposium starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29 in the Hamblin Hall Auditorium on the campus of WVSU.
Fourteen undergraduate students were selected to spend eight weeks in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program at WVSU. This program is designed to provide undergraduates experience in research laboratories mentored by WVSU faculty and conduct basic and applied research projects in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Geology.
Three area high school science teachers took part in the Teacher Research Experience for Knowledge (TREK) program designed to engage teachers in research, and then bring that knowledge and skill back to the classroom. This program was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) initiative, which is designed to strengthen research and science education throughout the United States.
Several science teachers also took part in the West Virginia Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA). They will be presenting posters highlighting their accomplishments achieved while studying muscles and cancer cells at WVSU during the summer.
Each presenter will give a 10 minute presentation followed by short time for questions. For many of these students their presentation will be the beginning of their research experience, as many of these projects will continue through the academic year. In addition, the SURE program has served as a springboard to students pursuing a career in research.
The symposium allows students and local teachers the opportunity to present their research to the scientific community, as well as their friends, family and the public at large. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to please contact Dr. Micheal Fultz at 304-766-3106 or mfultz@wvstateu.edu.
-WVSU-