Graduate Research Fellowship Program Research Articles

Ablation of Neurogenesis in α1A‐Adrenergic Receptor Activated Mice

It is unclear what role α1A‐adrenergic receptors (ARs) have on neurogenesis, cognition and mood. The goal of this study is to examine how the α1A‐ARs relationship to neurogenesis influences cognition and mood. Mice over‐expressing the α1A‐AR showed increased cognition and neurogenesis over normal mice. We hypothesize activation of the α1A‐AR alone is not responsible for improvements in cognition and mood, but it is the receptor‐stimulated neurogenesis. To test this hypothesis, mice are treated with selective α1A‐AR agonist, cirazoline (CRZ). A cannula and osmotic pump is surgically inserted into mice with either artificial cerebral spinal fluid or anti‐mitotic agent cytosine arabinoside (AraC). Mice undergo behavioral testing (Morris water maze, novel object recognition, forced swim, tail suspension, and open field), are sacrificed, brains fixed, sectioned and stained with cell markers for immature and dividing neurons. Stereology was used to estimate cell populations. Preliminary results show AraC mice are significantly slower in solving the Morris Water Maze than AraC‐CRZ mice. The results of this study may lead to development of therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Support: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Grant, NSF Grant EPS‐0447679, NSF CAREER Grant 0347259, NIH Grant 5P20RR017699.

CBNERRVA Research and Monitoring Program

The overall goal of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERRVA) research and monitoring program is to promote, coordinate and conduct research and monitoring to enhance the scientific understanding and management of the York River and southern Chesapeake Bay coastal ecosystems. The regions of greatest scientific emphasis are located within four Reserve sites located along the York-Pamunkey River estuarine system. Primary research and environmental monitoring areas include: estuarine and shallow water environments including benthic communities, submerged aquatic vegetation and emergent wetlands habitats, open water regions and adjacent watersheds and air sheds. Both national priority (NOAA) and Chesapeake Bay specific (Chesapeake Bay Program) research focus areas are pursued within the Research Reserve with goals to: enhance scientific understanding of coastal ecosystems, surrounding environments and the natural and human processes influencing such systems; and, promote the effective management and conservation of natural and cultural coastal resources through informed decision-making. A System-wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) initiated by the Estuarine Reserves Division (ERD) of NOAA provides standardized data on national estuarine environmental trends through similar measurements of abiotic and biotic variables as well as watershed and land use classifications and measurements at each of the 27 Reserves. Data are compiled electronically at a central data management location and are available via web interface (www.vecos.org). Ongoing York River monitoring programs at the CBNERRVA reserve sites include; meteorological and streamflow monitoring, water quality monitoring and biological monitoring are available through the Reserve or via web interface. Multi-parameter water quality, in situ monitors at both fixed and buoyed stations, point sampling and continuous underway flow-through monitoring form the basis of the water quality monitoring program. Research opportunities at Reserve sites are available to any qualified scientist, academician or student affiliated with a university, college or school, non-profit organizations, and non-academic research institutions. In addition, the Reserve sponsors competitive graduate research fellowships through the NERRS Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Program for student research in the York River system.

A precise water displacement method for estimating egg volume

Relationships between egg volume and an array of life-history traits have been identified for many bird species. Despite the importance of egg volume and the need for precise and accurate measurements, egg volume is usually estimated using a mathematical model that incorporates length and width measurements along with a shape variable. We developed an instrument that provides precise estimates of egg volume and can be easily used in the field. Using Clapper Rail {Rallus longirostris) eggs, we compared egg volumes measured using our instrument with estimates based on linear measurements. We found our instrument to be both precise and accurate. Compared with a method based on linear measurements of eggs, use of our instrument reduced variation in egg volume estimates by 1.6 cm3, approximately 8% of the volume of a Clapper Rail's egg. Further advantages of our technique include ease of use, increased accuracy of field-based volume estimates, and increased resolution of variation in egg volume estimates. In addition, our technique does not require postdata collection processing time and did not influence hatching success. Also, for Clapper Rails and similar species, our technique can be combined with other techniques (e.g., egg flotation) so that both egg volume and embryonic stage can be estimated at the same time.

The Influence of Rare Book and Manuscript Repositories on Graduate Research in the Humanities: The Graduate Research Fellowship Program

SUMMARY This article explores the influence of the rare book and manuscript repository on graduate student researchers in the humanities, through an examination of the graduate research fellowship program. Based on a comparison of residential research fellowship programs at twenty-three rare book and manuscript repositories, this article argues that fellowship programs perform three important functions. The fellowship process encourages graduate students to develop an awareness of the identity and location of collections relating to their field. Second, the application and fellowship process encourages students to imagine the potential relevance of these collections to their own particular project, in the process underscoring the relevance of primary source research and the rare book and manuscript repositories to the graduate research project. Third, research fellowship programs contribute to the development of a research community spanning fields and institutions, one in which the rare book and manuscript repository plays a central role. For libraries with rare book and manuscript repositories, the librarian is critical in bridging the many audiences and areas of this research community. For libraries without these resources, awareness of the existence, scope, and importance of these fellowship programs can be leveraged to enhance the librarian-graduate student relationship.

Session details: NSF graduate research fellowship program

Session details: NSF graduate research fellowship program

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The objective of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to support the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, and engineering in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) manages the GRFP application and review processes under contract to NSF.

Sharp Jump in Teaching Fellows Draws Fire From Educators

Next year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is shrinking its prestigious graduate research fellowship (GRF) program while it expands a new effort that puts graduate students to work in public schools. Critics say that NSF9s spending plan reflects a continued erosion of the $55 million GRF program and an overhasty expansion of the teaching fellows program before it has been proven effective. NSF officials dispute both points.

NSF settles minority fellowship suit

The National Science Foundation will pay $95,400 in damages and attorneys' fees to settle, not litigate, lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of its Minority Graduate Research Fellowship program. The case was filed late last year by Travis Kidd, white mathematics graduate student at Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. (C&EN, Dec. 22, 1997, page 11). Kidd charged that the program illegally discriminated against him solely because of his race. The NSF program reserves 150 of the 1,000 fellowships that it awards each year for members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences and engineering. It provides an annual stipend of $14,400 per year for up to three years of graduate study to blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Alaskan natives. In 1995, 4,618 Ph.D. degrees in the physical sciences were awarded in the U.S., according to NSF data, with just 140 going to members of minority groups. News of the settlement came as a real blow, says ...