Category: Academics

Passion for Discovery – Undergraduate research

By , September 12, 2017 9:03 am

Undergraduate Students Showcase Findings from Research Opportunities

The benefits of building relationships with faculty, hands-on workforce training, resume building and distinguishing yourself are all selling points for doing undergraduate research. Oh! And, according to students and faculty who have participated in undergraduate research, it can even be fun.

Students are able to reap each of those benefits by participating in any of the many undergraduate research opportunities offered at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. One of those opportunities includes the Student Undergraduate Research Opportunity (SUROP) program. SUROP provides students with a $2,000 tuition grant and covers up to $1,250 in reimbursable expenses for projects undertaken during the summer.

This past summer, 23 undergraduate students worked with faculty mentors through SUROP as they researched various topics of interest. Research topics came from a number of influences, from past research experiences to television shows. Biochemistry senior Laurie Ray said her research topic, “Expanding Applications of Green Fluorescent Protein Expression to Include Criminal Justice Reform,” was a result of the Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer.”

“My project centers on expanding the application of Green Fluorescent Protein to include its use as a blood marker in collected blood samples, such as those collected for DNA testing,” Ray wrote in her abstract.

Students learned to write and submit grant proposals, conduct research, design poster presentations to display their research findings and learn to communicate those findings to various audiences.

From the perspective of a faculty mentor, UMKC Undergraduate Research Director Jane Greer said she enjoys sharing in the excitement of students she works with. “These projects are self-chosen and, because of that, students are more passionate and excited about their work.”

As part of their research, some students had the opportunity to travel to various areas of the country to study. English junior Kennady Gales traveled to Washington, DC to study the regional impact of text by reviewing zines at the University of Maryland’s Michelle Smith Performance Arts Library. She conducted an “analysis of critical regionalism in zines throughout the straight edge punk subculture.” Gales said UMKC’s special collections library sparked her interest in studying zines during her previous research experience as a EUReka (Experiences in Undergraduate Research Courses) student researcher.

There are several ways to get involved in undergraduate research at UMKC: EUReka (Experiences in Undergraduate Research) Courses allow beginning researchers an opportunity to get their feet wet, then progress to programs such as SEARCH (Students Engaged in the Arts and Research) grants for students undertaking research during the academic year, and SUROP, to name a few.

“Undergraduate research is so much more than simply checking the box on student learning outcomes,” said Greer. “This is about students bringing their passion and enthusiasm, and faculty sharing their commitment to research with the next generation.”

Reposted from UMKC Today

SEARCH Undergraduate Research Grant

By , August 29, 2017 1:34 pm

 

Undergraduate students applying for SEARCH grants will now be able to submit their applications through a new online system, which can be accessed at Applying for SEARCH or SUROP Grants. Those applying will use their UM System login.

The deadline for SEARCH applications for the 2017/18 academic year is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. Students are strongly urged to submit their applications early so that faculty members have time to upload recommendation letters and department chairs can provide their endorsement. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.

A SEARCH Kick Off will be held from 4 to 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Katz Hall, room 209. Students and faculty mentors will have an opportunity to preview the online system and ask questions.

SEARCH grants provide undergraduates with up to $1,250 in reimbursable expenses to complete research, scholarly, or artistic projects in partnership with a faculty mentor. Such undergraduate research and creative scholarship can be a high-impact education experience that many alumni cite as a transformative part of their college experience. UMKC’s effort to providing such high-impact experiences is part of its strategic commitment to placing student success at the center.

Further details about undergraduate research and creative scholarship at UMKC can be found on the UMKC Undergraduate Research site.

Questions about the new online system can be directed to Jane Greer, director of undergraduate research.

UMKC Debate Team wins National Honors

By , April 11, 2017 12:28 pm

debate-740

The UMKC Debate Team of Corey Fisher and Anthony Joseph recently took home several awards at two intercollegiate debate championship tournaments.

Fisher and Joseph finished second out of 90 teams at the Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA) National Tournament, losing in the final round to Rutgers. Joseph was the 3rd overall speaker, and Fisher was the 2nd overall speaker and also took home the National Debater of the Year award for CEDA.

One week later, Fisher and Joseph finished in the Quarterfinals of the National Debate Tournament (NDT). Joseph was the 11th speaker, and Fisher was the 7th speaker out of more than 150 speakers nationwide.

Fisher and Joseph defeated teams from Northwestern, Cornell, Emory, Weber State, University of Kansas, University of Texas and University of West Georgia before losing to the eventual champions from Rutgers on a 3-2 decision.

The UMKC Debate Team advisers are Matt Vega and Andy Montee.

Student Pharmacy Group Achieves Top 7 in the U.S.

By , April 11, 2017 12:26 pm

Pharmacy award

Through numerous events and activities, UMKC student pharmacists and their faculty mentors make a huge difference in the health of thousands of people throughout the Kansas City area and across Missouri. As a result, a UMKC School of Pharmacy student group has been named among the best in the country again.

The UMKC chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) was first runner up in the the Division AA National Chapter Achievement Award, placing UMKC in the top seven out of more than 125 APhA-ASP chapters, announced recently at the American Pharmacists Association annual meeting in San Francisco. The UMKC chapter has ranked in top spots many times in recent years.

Each year, the award is given to APhA-ASP chapters across the nation based on originality of programs, number of chapter members involved, impact on the community, benefit to student pharmacists and collaboration with other healthcare organizations.

UMKC School of Pharmacy faculty advisers include Kelly Cochran; Sarah Cox and Angela Brownfield at the Columbia campus; Cameron Lindsey, Valerie Ruehter and Andrew Bzowyckyj in Kansas City; and Lisa Cillessen and Heather Taylor in Springfield.

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