| NSF Org: |
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | March 3, 2009 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 7, 2012 |
| Award Number: | 0851905 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Sally O'Connor
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | March 1, 2009 |
| End Date: | February 28, 2014 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $267,256.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $353,636.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2010 = $3,975.00 FY 2011 = $90,355.00 FY 2012 = $3,975.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2200 W MAIN ST DURHAM NC US 27705-4640 (919)684-3030 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
2200 W MAIN ST DURHAM NC US 27705-4640 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
RSCH EXPER FOR UNDERGRAD SITES, STS-Sci, Tech & Society, Transforming Undergrad Bio Ed |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001011DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001112DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001213DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
The Duke University REU Site will provide a research program for undergraduates during the summers of 2009-2012. Ten students will be selected each year to participate in an intensive 10-week research program in "Mechanisms of Behavior". The program provides an emphasis on integrative, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. The focus on the study of animal learning and behavior unifies faculty research interests within this interdisciplinary field and serves as the common theme for the individual projects available to student participants in the program. The program is designed to provide opportunities for highly qualified individuals, including women, minority, and disabled undergraduate students who would like to expand their laboratory skills. Each summer, undergraduate students will participate in the research program that includes a one-on-one mentorship with a participating faculty member. In addition, three weekly seminar series including "Research in the Neurosciences", "Science Basics", and "Science Ethics and Practice" will serve to integrate the individual laboratory experience. The primary goal of the program is to provide opportunities for undergraduates to receive training in the cutting-edge methodologies of behavioral neuroscience and genomics. Mentors for the program are prominent researchers in their fields and have substantial experience in supervising and training undergraduates. The students will work on research projects that are within their grasp, and which present real opportunities for new discoveries that will be of value to the neuroscience community. Additional information can be found at http://unp.aas.duke.edu/research/mob.php, or by containing the Program Director, Dr. Warren H. Meck at 919-660-5765 or meck@psych.duke.edu.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Systems and Integrative Neuroscience at Duke University was designed to provide students an intensive 10-week “hands-on” laboratory-based research experience. Research and training sessions were organized around the theme of "Mechanisms of Behavior" with an emphasis on integrative, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. The study of animal behavior unified faculty research interests within the interdisciplinary areas of neuroscience offered at Duke. Understanding the mechanisms of behavior at different levels (e.g., cellular, molecular, developmental, and systems) served as the common theme for the individual projects available to student participants. The primary focus of our research program was to provide each student a customized mentorship with a participating faculty member. REU students completed three training seminars: one weekly seminar series ("Research in the Neurosciences") and two bi-weekly seminar series ("Science Basics" and “Ethics in Science”). The "Research in the Neurosciences" lectures and discussion focused on current faculty research so that students in the program gain exposure to the field of neuroscience beyond their specific mentor's specific interests. "Science Basics" addressed practical matters pertaining to emerging technologies (e.g., optogenetics) and science careers (e.g., academia, industry, government). The “Ethics in Science” lectures and discussion focused on a variety of ethical problems commonly confronted during the conduct of any research program (e.g., data fabrication/falsification, animal welfare, authorship responsibilities, and assignment of credit). The Duke University summer “Mechanisms of Behavior” program concluded with a 2-day long research symposium in which REU students gave formal PowerPoint presentations of their research findings to faculty, staff, and other students.
Last Modified: 02/08/2017
Modified by: Warren H Meck
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