Undergraduate Biology Newsletter 9/19/22
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
Application Due: October 1, 2022
Explore Coral Reefs and Marine Ecology & Diversity over Winter Break in Roatan Island, Honduras!
- Scuba dive and snorkel on the coral reefs to explore the ecology and diversity
- Daily lectures in coral reef and general marine biology
- Night dives and snorkeling to observe bioluminescence
For more information Check out the Marine Biology in Rotan webpage or attend the Study Abroad Fair Tuesday, September 13.
Check out this video that shows student experiences in Roatan!
ASBMB Guest Speaker: Dr. Ron Chen
Today, Monday, September 19, 2022, 5 PM, Teams
Join KU Club, ASBMB (American Society For Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) for a guest speaker today at 5pm over Teams. They are being joined by Dr. Ron Chen, an oncologist from KUMC, to discuss his research and his path to becoming an oncologist.
Teams link: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 210 159 689 433
Passcode: 7CRChF
Getting Started in Research Workshop
Tuesday, September 20 from 4-5 PM
A panel of KU undergraduate researchers will share their experiences and provide tips on how to get started in research. For additional information check out the Getting Started page from the center for Undergraduate Research .
Register in advance for this meeting
KU Graduate School Admissions Workshop
Application Deadline: September 30,2022
Join this online workshop Saturday, October 22nd to learn about graduate school in the sciences.
Learn about career possibilities, graduate student life and the application procedure. Get help writing your personal statement and CV. Spend time with current graduate students. This one-day event is designed for college seniors not yet enrolled in a graduate program (applying Fall 2022). Juniors are also welcome to attend. Preference will be given to students who self-identify as being from a group historically underrepresented in the sciences. These include, but are not limited to: first-generation college students, African-American, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ+, etc.
For more information check out the program website
Study Abroad: Race, History & Health in Brazil
Deadline: October 16, 2022
Check out this new winter break study abroad opportunity in Salvador Brazil! The program runs from January 3, 2023 to January 14, 2023.
Learn more here: https://studyabroad.ku.edu/race-history-health-brazil
Program Summary
Brazil is the largest country in South America and is often compared to the U.S. due to its considerable African Diasporic population and a past shaped by centuries of racism. Salvador, located in the state of Bahia, is the city with the largest Afro-descendant population outside of Africa. Brazil's legacies of slavery, colonialism, and segregation, along with its stark socio-economic inequalities, have disproportionately affected the health and well-being of its Afro-Brazilian communities. At the same time, the country is known for its leadership in universalizing access to healthcare, including life-saving HIV treatments. Grassroots activists and organizations operate both alongside of and in opposition to state responses to ongoing epidemics, including COVID-19. Brazil's therapeutic landscape is further complicated by a sophisticated system of traditional medicine that serves as alternative and complementary treatments to widespread biomedical options. The country-and especially the city of Salvador--is thus a critical location for the study of race, history, and health.
Undergraduate and graduate students will earn 3.0 credits in their choice of departments: AAAS, GEOG, GIST, HIST, HNRS, LAC, or PORT. All students, regardless of residence, receive in-state tuition rates and will live with host families who provide three meals daily. The school is usually within walking distance of students' residences. Excursions and other activities are covered by tuition and fees. Study Abroad offers individualized financial aid planning and advising for students.
**Apply for a study abroad scholarship of $500 (applications due October 1, 2022).
Feel free to reach out to Katie Rhine (krhine@ku.edu) if you have any questions!
General News
Updated Drop IN Advising Hours
Mondays & Thursdays, 12:30 to 4:30 PM
Academic Advisors will be available to assist you with these new hours starting September 19, 2022.
Follow the link for Advising Assistance https://kiosk.na4.qless.com/kiosk/app/home/425
Jayhawk Bioresearch scholars (JABRS)
Are you interested in exploring biomedical research careers?
Jayhawk BioResearch Scholars (JABRS) scholars are primarily freshman or transfer students who are underrepresented in science and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged and are interested in STEM research careers. Benefits of this program include professional-development and research-development workshops and being paired with a graduate student mentor, both of which aim to guide scholars towards a career in research. A subset of JABRS may be selected for our fully funded NIH MARC program (https://marc.ku.edu/).
- Learn how to get started in research.
- Worships & seminars to better understand your career path to a research career.
- Access to mentors to guide you on your path
Any questions can be addressed to marc@ku.edu
Apply today https://marc.ku.edu/apply-jabrs
Global & University Scholars Programs
Applications Due September 19
Global Scholars conduct internationally focused research on a subject of their own choosing, which they present at the Global Scholars Research Symposium their senior year.
University Scholars receive a one-time scholarship of $1,500. In addition, they are connected with a faculty mentor who helps them deepen and expand their academic interests.
For more information & to apply https://honors.ku.edu/explore/opportunities/university-scholars-and-global-scholars
Applications Due October 18
The Newmark Award is given annually to a graduate student at the University of Kansas who has demonstrated excellence in biochemical research in its broadest interpretation, with particular consideration given to research with biological significance. There is a cash award of $1,000 for the recipient.
Any KU graduate student pursuing a PhD from the Lawrence or KUMC campus can apply.
Finalists for the award will give a 15-min presentation to the Department of Molecular Biosciences on Nov 14, 2022.
The attached PDF contains instructions on how to apply.
Scholarships from the Office of Fellowships
Check the attached documents for more information about scholarships available from the Office of Fellowships.
The GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP is a prestigious federal scholarship for U.S. citizens and permanent residents planning research careers in STEM fields. Current sophomores and juniors* are encouraged to apply for nomination for this award, which provides up to $7,500 in educational funding assistance and further professional development opportunities. KU may nominate up to four students each year. So far, 76 KU students have been named Goldwater Scholars.
The Office of Fellowships coordinates the nomination process. A committee of STEM faculty will select KU nominees based on campus-level applications, which are due October 28.
Goldwater Scholarship Informational Session
September 28, 6:00 PM
201 Summerfield Hall
Sign up here
Campus Application Deadline: October 28, 2022
National Application Deadline: January 27, 2023
Interested students should register with the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation and complete a pre-application to determine eligibility. Go to: goldwaterscholarship.gov
Great KU Candidates:
- have significant research experience
- have excellent undergraduate academic records
- plan to pursue research-focused STEM careers (MD/PhD candidates must be focused on research rather than clinical work)
- can get three (3) strong letters of recommendation from STEM faculty
*Note: Goldwater eligibility is based on years left of undergraduate study, not credit hours. Sophomore = at least two years remaining, Junior = at least one year remaining
More information is available at fellowships.ku.edu/goldwater
NSF-Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The Office of Fellowships has increased fellowship advising support to seniors planning to attend graduate school in NSF-supported fields.
Did you know?
- Approximately 40% of NSF-GRFP awards go to graduating seniors and recent graduates (not yet in graduate school). KU students’ success rate mirrors this national trend.
- Undergraduate applicants do not need to know where they will ultimately be attending graduate school; most applicants at this level don't. The proposal is meant to demonstrate potential, rather than commitment to a specific project.
- Undergraduate applicants are reviewed in a separate pool from current graduate students.
- Applying as a graduating senior buys students an extra chance at being selected for the GRFP, because they may apply as a graduating senior AND only once as a 1st- or 2nd-year graduate student.
- Even if students aren't initially selected, they receive valuable feedback from GRFP reviewers that will enable them to submit an even stronger application during graduate school.
- The application process itself is a form of professional development. Students will gain experience with proposal writing that gives them an edge in graduate school and other fellowships applications.
INTRODUCTION TO THE NSF-GRFP
The Office of Fellowships has created a course module with videos to describe the different components of the application process for this award! Contact the Office of Fellowships to be added to the course.
Write-in Session for Undergraduates
October 5, 3-5 PM
205 Summerfield
Sign up here
Students should bring their drafts for review and feedback
More info at fellowships.ku.edu/nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program
Job Openings
Application closes September 19
Are you looking for an on campus job with a flexible schedule and a fun work environment? Become a KU Student Ambassador where the starting pay is $13/hr!
For more information visit https://admissions.ku.edu/become-an-ambassador
Questions? email ambassadors@ku.edu
2023 Bio-Technology Solutions Site Support Intern
The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Manufacturing Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.
Our Company is seeking interns who will operate as a fully integrated member of a team. Day-to-day activities for the intern will focus on bioprocess and biotechnology development and troubleshooting, vaccine formulation, and problem solving.
For More Info check out the Job Posting