Initial Research Experience Research Articles

The Biomedicine Project Course: Promoting Young Scientists at School and University

This article presents a cooperation project between science and schools, which aims to provide high-achieving students with initial research experience at university and at the same time to encourage these students to take up medical or scientific courses of study. This is linked to the university's perspective of being able to attract potentially outstanding young scientists, especially in biomedical research. Thus, the project offers a win-win effect for all parties involved from school and university (Irmer, 2012). Feedback from an online survey of participating project students illustrates that even high demands can be motivating for students if the offer meets the students' interest and leads to experiences of self-efficacy. This article is intended to encourage the search for such opportunities for cooperation between schools and universities and to focus more strongly on their importance in generating young scientists.

Abstract A111: Summertime fun: Findings from three cohorts of C-STEPS summer research trainees

Abstract Introduction: For the past three summers (2021-2023), a National Cancer Institute-funded R25 research education program has been underway at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, entitled “Cancer Research—Scholarship and Training Experiences in Population Sciences” (C-STEPS). The program engages a diverse population of undergraduate students from across the nation in hands-on, mentored 10-week summer research education and training in cancer control and population science (CCPS). Methods: Using a data-driven methodology, the C-STEPS team has collected quantitative and qualitative data via REDCap surveys to evaluate program aims and student progress and ascertain how students experience the program to improve it for future cohorts. Students who decline admission are provided a one-time survey about the reasons they declined and asked to prioritize factors in their selection of summer research programs. Students enrolled in the program complete a pre- and post-program survey, pre- and post-seminar surveys, and a bi-annual alumni survey. The pre- and post-seminar surveys reflect expected competencies for each of the eight seminars that are part of the curriculum. The alumni survey captures academic accomplishments and career updates since completion of the summer program. Results: We have collected three years of pre/post-program data and pre/post-seminar data. Student knowledge, confidence, and interest in CCPS has steadily increased within each cohort across each of the three time periods: pre-program, immediately post-program, and alumni (1-3 years after the initial research experience). The pre/post seminar surveys indicated that the structure of the seminars inhibited interactions between the presenter and students and warranted change. We have administered the decliner and alumni survey twice each. Data from the decliner survey suggest that students apply to multiple programs each summer and the timeframe for notification to students about their acceptance may need to be shortened to give students more time to consider their C-STEPS offer in relation to other summer opportunities. Data from the alumni survey indicate that students continue to engage in research with their C-STEPS mentor and present the research at their home institution. Conclusion: Efforts to decrease the length of time between when a student applies and when they are notified of their acceptance are at the forefront of the refinement process for the next cohort. The seminars have been restructured to promote more student-led discussions and interactions between presenters and students. The CCPS research experiences and professional networks students develop during the summer have led to new educational and career opportunities. Initial evidence indicates that the success of C-STEPS extends well beyond the immediate one-time immersive research experience. Citation Format: Shoshana Adler Jaffe, Paige A. Lynch, Judith Sheche, Joseph Rodman, Miria Kano, Shiraz I. Mishra. Summertime fun: Findings from three cohorts of C-STEPS summer research trainees [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A111.

USING PARTIAL SEARCH AND SEARCH TRAINING METHODS IN THE PROCESS OF STUDYING MATHEMATICAL COURSES IN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES

The need to provide agricultural students with knowledge of mathematics, skills and abilities necessary for mastering professional courses, successful professional activities, including research, requires adjusting the content of the mathematical training of future agricultural specialists, which, in turn, requires the use of specially selected methods teaching mathematical courses. At the same time, domestic pedagogy lacks research on the definition of teaching methods, which are based on in the process of studying mathematical disciplines in agricultural universities. The purpose of the study is a theoretical substantiation of the need to use partially search and search methods, on which the process of studying mathematical courses should be based, taking into account the requirements of the agro-industrial complex, and demonstrating the application of these methods with examples. Research methods: theoretical (analysis, systematization and generalization of pedagogical and psychological research, legislative and regulatory documents), empirical (pedagogical observation of the educational process, analysis of work experience). It is noted that in order to promote the formation of research knowledge, skills and initial research experience of agricultural students, special attention is paid to partially exploratory (heuristic) and exploratory (research) teaching methods. It is demonstrated that the use of a partially search method of teaching contributes to the transition of knowledge into persuasion, forms the ability to independently acquire knowledge, contributes to the development of logical thinking, and fosters interest in research activities. When applying the search method in the educational process, students show initiative, independence, creative search in research activities, and the development of the ability for creative activity occurs. Examples of using partially search and search methods are given. Conclusions are drawn about the need to use partially search and search methods in the process of studying mathematical courses in agricultural universities.

The Case for Junior Doctor Academic Internships: A Narrative Review of the Published Literature.

IntroductionThere is a growing concern with the dwindling academic workforce especially in medicine. Academic internships refer to a hybrid internship during which an intern spends a period of time (typically 3–6 months) in academic/research endeavours. These may serve as initial research experience for junior doctors. However, the merits of this programme have not been assessed to date.MethodsStudies on integrated academic internships by junior doctors (ie, interns) were included in the present review. The identified articles were grouped into themes. For each article, the methodological approach (and subsequent implemented methods) was noted. The articles were also critically appraised for methodological soundness (both at the study-level, and the outcome-level).ResultsA total of 1621 publication titles were identified and screened, of which 8 publications were included in the final review. The major themes of the identified publications are: overview of the academic internship programme, evaluation of a programme’s experience and outcomes, and other miscellaneous publications.DiscussionThe studies to date have only reported on “soft outcomes”, but overall, interns and supervisors alike appear to be satisfied with the programme. Whether the programme increases the likelihood of future academic careers is difficult to establish at this juncture. The academic internship posts appear to be competitive, which reflect their popularity among graduating medical students.

Collective Action in Lake Management (CALM): an Indonesian stocktake

More than 500 lakes in Indonesia have been recognized as important parts of local economies and, at least in some cases, identity, but there is little literature on resource management and collective action. By reviewing literature and using a ‘serious game’, this paper aims to (1) review some of the currently used generic frameworks for understanding collective action in natural resource management, (2) recount some experiences in supporting collective action in Lake Singkarak, Sumatra and (3) describe early steps in using ‘serious games’ developed elsewhere to increase stakeholder understanding of how upstream land management affects lake quality and functions. Some important findings are that collective action is an important key to sustainable natural resources management and the lake as a complex social-ecological system also requires collective action of multi-stakeholders from upstream to downstream. We recommend the use of DPSIR and Javanese ‘gunungan’ frameworks together with ‘serious game’ to identify socio-ecological problems and build multi-stakeholder collective action. Based on our initial research experience in Lake Singkarak, this combination of methods has succeeded in finding various problems, especially different types of knowledge, ways of knowing, and learning styles from multi-stakeholders. These problems are then used as a basis for finding and forming a common understanding which is then transformed into collective action in lake management.

PLACING ACCENTS IN MATHEMATICAL TRAINING OF MODERN AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS IN THE PLANE OF FORMATION OF THEIR RESEARCH COMPETENT

Formed in the process of studying mathematical disciplines knowledge, skills, abilities, acquired initial research experience in the mathematical field are transformed into research competence − the basis of effective professional implementation of modern agriculture. At the same time, the national pedagogy lacks research on the problem of forming the research competence of future bachelors in agricultural sciences in the process of studying mathematical disciplines. The purpose of the research is to reveal the ways of formation of research competence of bachelors in agricultural sciences in the process of studying mathematical disciplines. Methods of research used: (i) theoretical: analysis, systematization and generalization of pedagogical and psychological research, legislative and regulatory documents; (ii) idealization and modeling for the development of a model for the formation of research competence of bachelors in agricultural sciences in the process of studying mathematical disciplines; (iii) empirical: pedagogical observation of the educational process, questionnaires. The model of formation of research competence of future bachelors in agricultural sciences in the process of studying mathematical disciplines should be based on systemic, professional-personal, activity, integrative, competence methodological approaches. For the effective formation of research competence of bachelors in agricultural sciences in the process of studying mathematical disciplines, such forms as thematic, problem lectures, lecture with errors, lecture-conference, lecture-conversation, binary lecture, practical classes, independent work, individual tasks, quests are expedient. , excursions, as well as such methods as reproductive, problem, project method, partial search, search, method of mathematical modeling, the method of specific situations. Among the effective teaching aids, the use of professionally oriented tasks is substantiated.

Needs and Opportunities for Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (E/RCR) integration in Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences: the ENCOUR Fellowship Program

Course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been shown to enhance students’ development of cognitive and non‐cognitive skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields resulting in the proliferation of CURE offerings in college course catalogues. These courses often constitute the initial research experience for undergraduate students in the biological sciences, thereby establishing students’ perceptions of what it is to be a researcher. Though ensuring the integrity of the scientific enterprise through the ethical and responsible conduct of research (E/RCR) is central to the scientific process, documented efforts to integrate E/RCR education in the context of CUREs is lacking. In an effort to address this information gap, we conducted a mixed methods study to evaluate E/RCR implementation efforts within biological sciences CUREs at the national level. Results from these efforts indicate a general awareness from CURE stakeholders of the importance of E/RCR education in CUREs. The majority (65.15%) of individuals surveyed reported having to resolve E/RCR issues within their CUREs and agree that E/RCR education should be included. Although a great majority (96.96%) of respondents reported addressing at least one E/RCR topic in their CUREs, the responses evidenced a lack of planned and intentional integration of E/RCR education into such learning environments. Prominent issues identified by our study participants as barriers for the effective integration of E/RCR education into their CUREs were a perceived lack of time (92% of respondents), resources (85% of respondents), and appropriate training for instructors. Based on these results, the Ethics Network for Course‐based Opportunities in Undergraduate Research (ENCOUR) has developed a fellowship program that aims to serve as a national professional development model for instructors facilitating E/RCR education in biology CUREs. ENCOUR fellows will participate in a year‐long program designed to enhance their E/RCR knowledge and to guide them through the development and assessment of educational resources for effective integration of E/RCR topics into their CUREs.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the National Science Foundation Awards 1727867 and 1919312

ФОРМУВАННЯ ДОСЛІДНИЦЬКОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ СТУДЕНТІВ АГРАРНИХ УНІВЕСИТЕТІВ: ВИКОРИСТАННЯ МЕТОДУ МАТЕМАТИЧНОГО МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ

The article shows that mathematical disciplines are the foundation for the formation of research competence of students of agricultural universities. It was found that the willingness to use knowledge in mathematics is a prerequisite for obtaining a high-quality professional education, carrying out research activities. The definition of research competence of a specialist in the agricultural industry is given and the purpose of its formation among students-agrarians is indicated. It is proved that the formed research knowledge, abilities, skills, the acquired initial research experience in the mathematical plane should become the basis for the effective professional activity of a modern agrarian. It is shown that the content of the mathematical training of future agricultural specialists should be adjusted, and the knowledge of agricultural students in mathematical disciplines and the ability to use them in practice should be integral. The necessity of using the method of mathematical modeling in the process of forming research competence is substantiated, which provides for a balanced use of methods and teaching aids, forms of organizing students’ educational activities. The essence of mathematical modeling is considered, which is a set of all possible mathematical relationships that describe the main patterns, properties of the process, object or system under study, as well as tasks of mathematical modeling that appear when solving professional problems arising in the agricultural sector. The prerequisites for the use of mathematical models in the management of agricultural production are determined. The principles and requirements for mathematical models are generalized. The stages and methods of constructing mathematical models are highlighted. An example of applying the method of mathematical modeling in the course «Higher Mathematics» when studying the topic «Differential Equations of the 1st Order» is given. Conclusions are made on the application of the method of mathematical modeling to the formation of research competence of students-agrarians.

A Lifetime of Adventures in Glycobiology.

My initial research experience involved studying how bacteria synthesize nucleotide sugars, the donors for the formation of cell wall polysaccharides. During this time, I became aware that mammalian cells also have a surface coat of sugars and was intrigued as to whether these sugars might be arranged in specific sequences that function as information molecules in biologic processes. Thus began a long journey that has taken me from glycan structural analysis and determination of plant lectin-binding preferences to the biosynthesis of Asn-linked oligosaccharides and the mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) lysosomal enzyme targeting pathway. The Man-6-P system represents an early example of a glycan serving as an information molecule in a fundamental cellular function. The remarkable advances in the field of glycobiology since I entered have uncovered scores of additional examples of oligosaccharide-lectin interactions mediating critical biologic processes. It has been a rewarding experience to participate in the efforts that have established a central role for glycans in biology.

Masks, Puppets and Masquerades: Reflections on Field Research in Mali; 1978–1980

Arnoldi describes her initial research experience in Mali (1978–1980) during the authoritarian regime of Moussa Traoré. She discusses the importance of Malian colleagues in Bamako who supported the research, offered guidance and helped in arranging her introduction into Kirango, her research site. Focusing on community life in Kirango she emphasizes the major roles that Bakary Traoré, her jatigi, along with the many knowledgeable men and women in this community, have played and continue to play today as her research collaborators, cultural guides and friends.

A Classroom-Based Distributed Workflow Initiative for the Early Involvement of Undergraduate Students in Scientific Research

Engaging freshman and sophomore students in meaningful scientific research is challenging because of their developing skill set and their necessary time commitments to regular classwork. A project called the Chondrule Analysis Project was initiated to engage first- and second-year students in an initial research experience and also accomplish several scientific objectives. Students take part in a classroom-based, distributed workflow project that aims to produce high-quality data on the physical dimensions of chondrules, mm-sized spherules contained in primitive meteorites called chondrites. Such data are needed to test astrophysical models for processes acting in the early solar system. Student investigators process X-ray microtomography data with resources contained on portable USB flash drives distributed to them. Students are exposed to data collection, data quality evaluation, interpretation, and presentation of their results. Herein, an introduction to the scientific objectives is given along with an evolutionary history of the project. A description of the current implementation of the course is presented, and future directions are discussed. Anonymous student evaluations of the course are used to demonstrate the educational and engaging nature of the project. Finally, we reflect on the possible benefits of such a project for first- and second-year students within STEM disciplines.

Patients, cells, and organelles: The intersection of science and serendipity

Patients, cells, and organelles: The intersection of science and serendipity

A propos du témoignage de Paule Verdet

Viviane Isambert-Jamati, whose intellectual and socio-political development was similar to that of Paule Verdet before she left for the United States, identifies the differences between her own initial research experiences within the context of French sociology, and those previously described by Paule Verdet. She also examines the first intellectual contact of the sociologists of work in Georges Friedmann’s group with the research done on the same subject at the University of Chicago during the same period.

A graduate program designed for medical and other doctoral degree applicants.

The data collected during the evaluation of the natural science program at Roswell Park revealed a high rate of success in preparing students to enter health and science related careers. An average of 50 percent of the entering students each year had been unsuccessful medical school applicants or students preparing to enter Ph.D. programs following an initial research experience. The program assists students in admission to medical and research programs and encourages research participation. Many graduate programs will not accept or find difficulty dealing with students who have career goals in medicine and are not necessarily in research. This is understandable, especially in Ph.D. granting programs with substantial investments of faculty time and funding. The philosophy of the program reported here is to assist the students to enter the career of their choice; however, at the same time, the faculty members insist on a high level of scholarship in course work and research during the program. With this philosophy, the program continues to be successful in attracting students of high quality.