Undergraduate Research Opportunities Research Articles

Exogenous T4 Increased Cardiac Thioredoxin Protein Expression in Insulin Resistant OLETF Rats

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a protein that regulates cellular signaling and antioxidant defense. Cellular antioxidant mechanisms are designed to protect cells from oxidative damage caused by inappropriately elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals. Oxidative damage can lead to cellular damage and impaired function. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (CDM) is associated with impaired redox balance and oxidative injury. Altered fuel metabolism is a key feature of CDM characterized by an imbalance in fatty acid and glucose utilization, favoring fatty acid overutilization. Excessive fatty acid beta-oxidation in the mitochondria leads to generation of free radicals including superoxide, which can contribute to oxidative injury. Thyroid hormones regulate substrate utilization and their dysregulation may contribute to oxidative injury. Therefore, we hypothesized that exogenous thyroxine (exoT4) upregulates Trx protein expression and ameliorate oxidative injury in the hearts of insulin resistant rats. Insulin resistant, Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were used to assess the effects of exoT4 on heart Trx, oxidative damage, and glucose metabolism. Rats were assigned to four groups: (1) lean, control Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO; n=6), (2) LETO + T4 (8 μg/100g BM/d × 5 wks; n=7), (3) untreated, insulin resistant OLETF (n=6), and (4) OLETF + T4 (n=7). OLETF group displayed a 31% decreased in TRX compared to Leto. T4 increased Trx protein expression by 88% in OLTEF compared to untreated OLETF. This data suggests that exoT4 has the potential to upregulate cardiac Trx-dependent antioxidant mechanisms in insulin resistant OLETF rats to ameliorate oxidative injury and improve cardiac glucose metabolism. This work is supported by the American Heart Association and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center (UROC). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

NFAT5 upregulates osmolyte transporters to protect IMCD3 cells against hyperosmolarity

The kidney inner medulla is one of the only places in the body exposed to extremely high osmolarity, reaching up to 1300 mOsm, while the iso-osmotic cortex and plasma are ≍300m mOsm. Renal epithelial cells need a mechanism to address the stress that comes with hyperosmolarity. One possible mechanism is regulation of osmolyte transporters to increase intracellular osmolyte concentration and reduce osmotic stress. NFAT5 is an important factor in regulating renal epithelial cell responses to high osmolarity. We hypothesize that NFAT5 is protective in inner medullary collecting duct cells (IMCD3) via upregulation of key transporters. To test this hypothesis, we used CRISPR to delete NFAT5 in IMCD3 cells. IMCD3 -NFAT5 null (NFAT5 null) and control (Ctl, IMCD3) cells were used and cell death assessed. Cells were plated at the same concentrations, in media (320mmol) with additional osmolarities of: urea (160mmol), mannitol (160mmol) and salt (40 and 80 mmol). Cell death was measured over 5 days using Janus Green B, which permeates living cell membranes. Cells were incubated with Janus Green B, lysed and then absorbance measured with a spectrophotometer to determine concentration. Data were analyzed as mean ± SEM; cell confluence, two-way ANOVA, n=3-5. Total mRNA was also isolated for qPCR analysis and data expressed as a fold change (DCT) over housekeeping (PPIA). At iso-osmolarity (»300mOsm), no differences were observed between NFAT5 null and Ctl cells. However, by day 3, NFAT5 null cells had reduced cell growth in all hyperosmolar conditions: urea 160 mmol (1.192 ± 0.225 vs. 1.953 ± 0.167 Wt ****p<0.0001, n=4), mannitol 160 mmol (0.852 ± 0.135 vs. 1.683 ± 0.283 Wt ****p<0.0001, n=3-4), NaCl 40 mmol (1.745 ± 0.210 vs. 2.020 ± 0.252 Wt ****p<0.0001, n=4-5), NaCl 80 mmol (0.385 ± 0.059 vs. 1.089 ± 0.191 Wt ****p<0.0001, n=4-5). Interestingly, NFAT5 null cells recovered growth patterns similar to Ctl cells by day 5. This suggests that although NFAT5 is essential in the cellular response hyperosmolarity, other mechanisms are present that allow for adaptation over time. To address a possible mechanism, we performed qPCR investigating common osmo-protective genes. We hypothesized that expression is lower in the NFAT5 null cells as compared to Wt. When cultured with 40 mmol of NaCl (n=2), we found that the NFAT5 null cells showed a 3.31 fold reduction for SMIT1, a 2924.98 fold reduction for TauT, and a 4.91 fold reduction for BGT1 as compared to Wt, each of which are osmolyte transporters. Additionally, we saw a 161.46 fold reduction for AQP1, a water channel and a 4.91 fold reduction for Akr1b3, which influences water homeostasis, as compared to Wt. Together, these results suggest that NFAT5 is a critical regulator of both osmolyte and transporters. Here, we show that loss of NFAT5 reduces IMCD cell viability in the face of hyperosmotic stress, possibly through a reduction in key osmolyte transporters. These data suggest that NFAT5 is key in the renal epithelial cell response to, and survival in, the hyperosmolar environment of the inner medulla. Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program grant NIH NIDDK DK115660-01A1 University of Utah DOIM, UCares. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

How They Eat: An Examination of Digestive Physiology of Sympatric Prickleback Fishes

How fishes thrive on different diets is not understood as well as for terrestrial animals. Thus, examining the flexibility of gut function in fishes with different diets provides insight into dietary specialization in the largest vertebrate class. In this study, we measured the amylolytic activities in the guts of closely related, sympatric species: Xiphister mucosus (herbivore), X. atropurpureus (omnivore), Phytichthys chirus (omnivore), and Anoplacharus purpurescens (carnivore). For all species, the amylase activity decreased moving distally along the intestine, but less so for the carnivorous A. purpurescens. Overall, our results—more elevated amylase activity in those fish eating more algae—agree with the Adaptive Modulation Hypothesis (AMH), which suggests that there should be a match between enzymatic activity and dietary substrate intake. Measurements of proteases and lipases are in progress, but we anticipate some support for AMH in other enzyme classes. Moreover, we are also measuring these same enzyme activities in these same species fed omnivorous or carnivorous diets in the laboratory. The flexibility of the intestines of the fish species to accommodate different food types provides insight into their roles in the ecosystems and how fixed the vertebrate digestive system can be. NSF IOS 1355224 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at University of California, Irvine. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Enhancing STEM Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation

JOHNNA SMITH, Dept of Mathematics, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443, RAINA BURTON, Dept of Mathematics, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443, QING WANG and KAREN ADAMS, Dept of Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443. Enhancing STEM enrollment, retention, and graduation: insights and strategies for student success. The objective of this study is to synthesize over 20 findings related to STEM success and its measurement to enhance student recruitment, retention, and graduation rates. Surveys were analyzed focusing on various student categories, including underrepresented minorities (URMs), high-achievers, low-income individuals, first-generation students, community college transfers, and gender diversity, among others. Our findings demonstrate that improving students’ self-efficacy and fostering a sense of belonging significantly contribute to their success and persistence in STEM. Consequently, programs such as undergraduate research opportunities, networking, seminars, summer bridge programs, field trips, and workshops are identified as crucial for enhancing students’ confidence and sense of belonging, thereby facilitating their success and perseverance in STEM fields. The project was supported by the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant (SOARS) from West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research and the NSF S-STEM Grant (award No. DUE-2130267).

Enhancing Academic Success among STEM Undergraduate Students.

We synthesize 20+ findings regarding STEM success and the measure of such with the aim of increasing recruitment, retention, and graduation of high-achieving, low-income undergraduate students. Students are more likely to enter and graduate from a STEM field when they have high self-efficacy, a sense of belonging, and identify themselves as scientists. We discuss methods of fostering these attributes such as providing undergraduate research opportunities, field trips, and summer bridge programs as well as some in-class methods including sending effort-oriented messages and connecting content to real-life.

Inclusive Undergraduate Research Opportunities for Undocumented Students

ABSTRACT Undocumented students in the United States face a number of structural barriers in accessing higher education. While there is growing attention to the need for legal, financial, social and psychological support for undocumented students, less attention is paid to their equitable access to high impact practices, such as undergraduate research opportunities. This article begins by providing a demographic profile of undocumented students in higher education, highlighting their intersectional identities by which their access additionally is racialized and classed. Students then share their personal experiences and reflections attempting to pursue research opportunities and research-related careers. Throughout, we identify both barriers to access and promising practices in their pursuit of university-sponsored opportunities. The article concludes with recommendations on how universities can ensure equitable access for all students.

On‐field Agroecosystem Research Experience: An Undergraduate Perspective

AbstractUndergraduate hands‐on research can foster innovation and critical thinking among young scholars to delve into real‐world challenges. Specifically, exploring the critical nexus between water usage and agricultural yield, can foster academic growth and holds the key to addressing global food security in an era of increasing environmental constraints, where students can unlock insights crucial to enhancing crop yield and sustainability. Investigating the intricate relationship between water management and crop productivity through undergraduate research is exemplified in this article. Undergraduate students acquired hands‐on research experience by collecting, processing, and analyzing destructive (crop biomass samples) and non‐destructive (plant height, nodes, and leaf chlorophyll content) cropping system data on soybeans under irrigated and dryland production systems, where they worked closely with the farmer. Identifying the current research problem and study site selection, scientific decision‐making during the field study, developing critical thinking while ensuring research communication skills, and quality assurance and quality control through technology during data collection and analysis were learning outcomes. The research highlights the observed distinct performance between irrigated and non‐irrigated soybeans using non‐destructive plant health and growth indicators with plant biomass, following appropriate quality control and assurance steps. Statistically, irrigated soybeans outperformed non‐irrigated soybeans in terms of average plant height at maturity (irrigated: 97.0±1.7 cm vs. non‐irrigated: 37.4±0.6 cm; p<0.01) and number of nodes on the mainstem (irrigated: 19.5±1.2 vs. non‐irrigated: 12.6±0.8; p<0.01). Findings from this study can help ensure quality control and assurance in future cropping system projects. Through the agroecosystem study, we exhibit the importance and role of undergraduate research opportunities in developing the next generation of problem solvers.

0011 Daily verses circadian amplitude of the distal-proximal skin temperature gradient

Abstract Introduction Sleep, circadian rhythms, and thermoregulatory physiology are highly integrated and impact each other. The daily rhythm in the distal-proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG) is wider/more negative during wakefulness, and narrower/closer to zero during sleep. The circadian rhythm in the DPG is wider during the biological day and narrower during the biological night. Here we aimed to quantify and compare the amplitude of the daily rhythm in the DPG under wakefulness-sleep conditions versus the amplitude of the circadian rhythm in the DPG under sleep deprivation conditions to examine associations and magnitude differences. Methods Eleven [5 females] healthy adults [aged 27.6±10.2y, BMI 23.1±2.2 (mean±SD)] participated. After one week of at-home ambulatory monitoring with 8h per night sleep opportunities at habitual bedtimes, participants were studied in the laboratory for three days under controlled dim light (< 8 lux maximum) and ambient temperature conditions (22-24°C). Participants arrived in the afternoon, were kept awake 4h later than typical and scheduled to a 4h sleep opportunity. The next day, participants were sleep deprived for 28h followed by recovery sleep. Skin temperature was assessed every min with iButtons placed subclavicular (proximal skin temperature) and foot palmar (distal skin temperature). The DPG was calculated as difference between proximal and distal skin temperatures. A three-harmonic regression model was used to fit DPG data and derive daily and circadian rhythm amplitudes, and percent difference in amplitude was calculated. Pearson correlations were calculated between daily and circadian rhythm DPG amplitudes. Results DPG amplitude was significantly greater for daily versus circadian rhythm (p < 0.05). Percent difference analyses showed daily DPG rhythm was 57% larger than circadian DPG rhythm (SD 30%, range 22-134%). A significant correlation was found between daily and circadian rhythm DPG amplitudes (r = 0.71, p< 0.05). Conclusion The amplitudes of daily and circadian rhythms of the DPG are associated, but the daily rhythm amplitude is larger. Additional research is needed to compare the relative importance of daily versus circadian skin temperature amplitudes for sleep and circadian relevant outcomes. Support (if any) CurAegis Technologies Inc., Fundacio Joan Riera I Gubau, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program University of Colorado Boulder

0163 Impact of cold-water hand immersion on cognitive performance and sleepiness during sleep inertia

Abstract Introduction Sleep inertia is a state of impaired cognitive performance upon awakening that dissipates with time awake. Manipulation of the distal-to-proximal skin temperature gradient using cold water has been hypothesized as a potential countermeasure to sleep inertia, but not previously explored (Krauchi et al., 2004). This study examined the effects of cold-water hand immersion on subsequent cognitive performance and sleepiness during sleep inertia. Methods Ten healthy adults (mean±standard deviation [SD] age 23.2±4.96 years; 6M, 4F) have thus far completed an ongoing 8-day protocol. Prior to an overnight in-laboratory visit, participants maintained habitual 8h sleep schedules for 1 week at home. In-laboratory sleep opportunities were timed to coincide with habitual sleep time. Following at least 5-min of electroencephalogram (EEG) verified continuous slow wave sleep (SWS), participants were awakened twice during the night to submerge their non-dominant hand in warm (34 C) or ice-cold water (0 C) for 3 min in a randomized, crossover design. Sleep inertia was assessed with a Mathematical Addition Test (ADD) and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) at ~ 5, 15, and 25 min after each awakening. Outcomes included number of correct responses and median reaction time for correct responses on the ADD and KSS scores. Data were analyzed with mixed-model ANOVA with condition, condition order and time since awakening as fixed factors and subject as a random factor. Results The average (Mean±SD) amount of SWS prior awakening was similar before the cold 7.0±2.3 min and warm 6.6±1.0min conditions (p>0.10). Following cold water immersion, subjective sleepiness was reduced and the median reaction time for correct responses was faster compared with warm water immersion (main effects of condition, p’s< 0.05). The number of correct responses was not significantly different between conditions, nor were there any significant interaction effects among the fixed factors. Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate that cold-water hand immersion may reduce sleepiness and increase the speed of arithmetic calculations during sleep inertia, which could have important implications for military and first responders performing after awakenings from sleep. Support (if any) Office of Naval Research MURI N00014-15-1-2809; NIH RHL165343A and CTSA Grant UL1 TR002535; Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant, University of Colorado Boulder.

0201 Prebiotic Diet Impact on Cognitive Performance, Sleepiness, and Mood During Combined Sleep Restriction and Circadian Misalignment

Abstract Introduction The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in health and affects mood and behavior. The composition and function of the gut microbiome can be modified by prebiotics, which are defined as substrates selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This study examined the effects of a prebiotic diet combination of polydextrose (PDX) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on cognitive performance and sleepiness during combined sleep restriction and circadian misalignment. Methods Eleven healthy adults (aged 24.6 ± 4.5, 6 females, 5 males) completed a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study lasting a total of 39 days. Participants consumed 14 days of prebiotic (7.5g/day each of PDX [Danisco] and GOS [FrieslandCampina]) or maltodextrin placebo diets at home(sachets dissolved in water with breakfast) while maintaining ~8h sleep per night at habitual times for two separate weeks before undergoing ~4 days of in laboratory testing under combined sleep restriction (3h sleep opportunity per day) and circadian misalignment (wakefulness at night) conditions. Prebiotic or placebo diet continued in-laboratory. Cognitive function testing occurred every 3h during scheduled wakefulness and included the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), Stroop Color and Word Test (STROOP) visual analog mood scales (VAS), positive and negative affect scales (PANAS), and the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS). Participants had a 3-day washout, then repeated the same procedure with the second condition. Results Sleepiness on the KSS was reduced, and positive mood on the PANAS and calm mood were increased under prebiotic versus placebo (all p < 0.05). Median reaction time on the PVT was faster, whereas median reaction times for congruent stimuli on the STROOP task were slower under the prebiotic diet versus placebo (all p < 0.05). Conclusion A prebiotic diet had beneficial effects on many performance, sleepiness and mood outcomes during combined sleep restriction and circadian misalignment. These findings have important implications for shift workers, emergency responders, and military personnel working under the demanding conditions of sleep restriction and circadian misalignment. Support (if any) Office of Naval Research MURI N00014-15-1-2809, NIH CTSA Grant UL1 TR002535 and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant, University of Colorado Boulder.

The Importance of STEM Sense of Belonging and Academic Hope in Enhancing Persistence for Low-Income, Underrepresented STEM Students

AbstractThe purpose of this longitudinal investigation was to examine the effectiveness of a comprehensive, integrated curricular and co-curricular program designed to build community, provide academic and social support, and promote engagement in academically purposeful activities resulting in more equitable environments for historically underrepresented, low-income science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) information technology (IT) students. The study also focused on the role that the sense of belonging and academic hope play in enhancing persistence to degree completion. Program participants had significantly higher persistence rates compared to a matched comparison group. Additionally, STEM-specific belonging and academic hope significantly predicted students’ intentions to persist to degree completion in IT. A major finding was that STEM domain–specific belonging was a stronger predictor of persistence than general belonging. Our investigation has implications for the role that cohort-based programs, industry engagement, peer mentoring, proactive advising, undergraduate research opportunities, career preparation, and leveraging need-based financial aid play in ensuring equity in STEM.

Student Researchers’ Reflections on the AAA Undergraduate Fellowship

AbstractWhen the American Anthropological Association offered its Undergraduate Research Fellows program in 2019–2020, the intent was not only to obtain ethnographic insights into the college‐workforce transition for anthropology majors, but also to provide a meaningful educational experience to the participating student‐researchers. Previously (Ginsberg and Jackson, this issue), we have situated the fellowship program with reference to ethnography of higher education and native ethnography; in this paper, by contrast, we contextualize it with scholarship on high‐impact practices in undergraduate education, including research opportunities, collaborative assignments, and community‐based learning. We then present reflections from the student‐researchers themselves regarding what they learned through participation in the fellows program. In their reflections, the fellows describe a process of becoming more central members of three overlapping communities of practice: the AAA research team, their respective home departments, and the discipline of anthropology overall. We conclude by discussing reasons why anthropology is particularly well suited to provide undergraduate research opportunities, and why doing so would strengthen the discipline as well.

MSFP: Undergraduate 'collaborate from home' research in macromolecular structure and function.

When the COVID-19 crisis shut down most undergraduate research opportunities, we developed an online, remote, computer-based Research Experiences for Undergraduates on the topic of Macromolecular Structure and Function that was funded by the USA National Science Foundation. The REU provided a mentored research experience and training in professional skills to assist the participants in pursuing a degree and future career in STEM. This fully virtual project involved faculty at four geographically-distributed institutions specializing in diverse but complementary approaches to study macromolecular structure and function. Importantly, its online “collaborate-from-home” format made it accessible to students during the pandemic to participate fully in the research, professional development, and other activities of the program. This project can also serve as an example for future remote, online projects that would especially be helpful for students who might not have access to these kinds of programs at their universities, might not be able to travel to a university for a summer program, have physical challenges that make it difficult for them to work at a lab bench, or students whose research opportunities are limited due to political unrest. We think our experiences with our MSFP REU program would provide helpful information for members of the BPS to set up similar programs to serve additional students.

MSFP: undergraduate 'collaborate-from-home' research in macromolecular structure and function.

When the COVID-19 crisis shut down most undergraduate research opportunities, the Macromolecular Structure and Function Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program provided a mentored research experience on the topic of Macromolecular Structure and Function and training in professional skills to assist the participants in pursuing a degree and a future career in STEM. The fully online, remote, computer-based program was funded by the USA National Science Foundation. It involved faculty at four geographically distributed institutions specializing in diverse but complementary approaches to study macromolecular structure and function. Importantly, its online 'collaborate-from-home' format made it accessible to students during the pandemic to participate fully in the research, professional development and other activities of the program. This project can also serve as an example for future remote, online projects that would especially be helpful for students who do not have access to similar programs at their universities, cannot travel to attend a summer program, have physical challenges that make it difficult for them to work in a lab or students whose research opportunities are limited due to the war in Ukraine. The lessons learned with the Macromolecular Structure and Function REU program can provide helpful information for ISCB members to set up similar programs to serve additional students. More information and resources are available on the project web site http://jefferylab.moonlightingproteins.org. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.

Examining BIPOC Student Barriers in Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research offers a significant avenue for enhancing the engagement and skill development of underrepresented students, particularly those from BIPOC backgrounds. This study conducted at Penn State University aimed to illuminate the challenges faced by BIPOC students in their pursuit of undergraduate research opportunities and promote diversity and inclusivity within research programs. Through interviews and surveys, the research team discovered that students often grapple with uncertainty when seeking research prospects, with disparities in access to information. They also highlighted the importance of faculty mentorship, particularly from individuals with shared backgrounds. Although opinions on the influence of race or ethnicity on research experiences varied, the study emphasized the need for tailored support and proactive outreach efforts to improve the accessibility of undergraduate research resources.

Undergraduate Student Attitudes and Perspectives of the Accessibility, Supportiveness, and Appreciation of Research Opportunities in the Health Sciences

Undergraduate research is a “high-impact” educational practice that enriches student learning and facilitates student career advancement. This sequential explanatory mixed methods study, composed of a quantitative online questionnaire followed by qualitative focus group interviews, sought to explore undergraduate student attitudes on research and elicit perceived facilitators and barriers to undergraduate research engagement. The survey respondents (N = 377), all undergraduate health sciences students at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, generally had positive attitudes toward undergraduate research, but had polarized perceptions of its accessibility, supportiveness, and appreciation. Follow-up focus group interviews with selected participants (N = 11) revealed four main themes: (1) the hidden curriculum of undergraduate research, (2) the paucity of meaningful research work for emerging student researchers, (3) the administrative barriers within the undergraduate research landscape, and (4) the inequitable access to undergraduate research opportunities. This study’s findings suggest potential avenues to improve the undergraduate student research experience,

Foreword

Deep and broad work is being done by undergraduates, with a significant increase in the last three decades. The growth in undergraduate research opportunities has important effects in the STEM community. In particular, course-based research is a means toward attaining more inclusivity in the research community. This article provides some practical advice and resources for getting started, and describes the author’s own efforts to integrate sports analytics work, service-based learning and social justice research into his undergraduates’ research experiences.

I’ve (not) got a secret

When I was a child, there was a television show called I’ve Got a Secret . Each week, panelists had to discover the guest’s secret by asking a series of probing questions. Some secrets were guessed by the panel, but many remained uncovered. When it comes to American Chemical Society products, programs, and services, we do not want to keep them secret. In this Comment, I aim to raise awareness of some ACS services that I really like. Services for students and early-career chemists Are you an undergraduate student seeking experience in industry or an undergraduate research opportunity? If so, you should be aware of the Get Experience website. It provides information on internships, co-ops, research experiences for undergraduates (REU), and other opportunities for undergraduate students. I encourage you to visit the site regularly, since the list is dynamic, or register to receive email updates when new opportunities are posted.

Student remote and distance research in neuroanatomy: MappingDscaml1 expression with a LacZ gene trap in mouse brain.

Undergraduate student engagement in research increases retention and degree completion, especially for students who are underrepresented in science. Several approaches have been adopted to increase research opportunities including curriculum based undergraduate research opportunities (CUREs), in which research is embedded into course content. Here we report on efforts to tackle a different challenge: providing research opportunities to students engaged in remote learning or who are learning at satellite campuses or community colleges with limited research infrastructure. In our project we engaged students learning remotely or at regional centers to map gene expression in the mouse brain. In this project we mapped expression of the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule like 1 (Dscaml1) gene in mouse brain using a LacZ expression reporter line. Identifying where Dscaml1 is expressed in the brain is an important next step in determining if its roles in development and function in the retina are conserved in the rest of the brain. Students working remotely reconstruct brain montages and annotated Dscaml1 expression in the brain of mice carrying one or two copies of the gene trap. We built on these findings by further characterizing Dscaml1 expression in inhibitory neurons of the visual pathway. These results build on and extend previous findings and demonstrate the utility of including distance learners in an active research group for both the student learners and the research team. We conclude with best practices we have developed based on this and other distance learner focused projects.

Evaluating the Student Training Equity Project: An Upstream Recruitment Approach to Diversifying Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs

The U.S. psychology workforce is considerably less diverse than the population that it serves. While several recruitment and admission practices are effective for diversifying psychology training programs, upstream recruitment of underrepresented candidates is particularly promising. Aiming to diversify the clinical psychology graduate program applicant pool, the Student Training Equity Project (STEP) was developed to promote and evaluate upstream recruitment of undergraduate students of color interested in psychology graduate studies. This study used a mixed-method design to evaluate immediate outcomes for three STEP programmatic strategies. Survey results suggest that STEP networking events were associated with undergraduate research and mentorship opportunities. Findings suggest that STEP funding supported students in producing research products (e.g., manuscripts) that might bolster graduate application materials. STEP website engagement data showed over 1,000 views per year, and highlighted ways to improve outreach. More controlled evaluation is needed to determine whether STEP contributed to diversification of the applicant pool.