Summer Undergraduate Research Research Articles

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to treat chemical weapon toxicities: Interactive case studies for trainees.

The risk of a terrorist attack in the United States has created challenges on how to effectively treat toxicities that result from exposure to chemical weapons. To address this concern, the United States has organized a trans-agency initiative across academia, government, and industry to identify drugs to treat tissue injury resulting from exposure to chemical threat agents. We sought to develop and evaluate an interactive educational session that provides hands-on instruction on how to repurpose FDA-approved drugs as therapeutics to treat toxicity from exposure to chemical weapons. As part of the Rutgers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program, 23 undergraduate students participated in a 2-h session that included: (1) an overview of chemical weapon toxicities, (2) a primer on pharmacology principles, and (3) an interactive session where groups of students were provided lists of FDA-approved drugs to evaluate potential mechanisms of action and suitability as countermeasures for four chemical weapon case scenarios. The interactive session culminated in a competition for the best grant "sales pitch." From this interactive training, students improved their understanding of (1) the ability of chemical weapons to cause long-term toxicities, (2) impact of route of administration and exposure scenario on drug efficacy, and (3) re-purposing FDA-approved drugs to treat disease from chemical weapon exposure. These findings demonstrated that an interactive training exercise can provide students with new insights into drug development for chemical threat agent toxicities.

An effective Caenorhabditis elegans CRISPR training module for high school and undergraduate summer research experiences in molecular biology.

Engaging in research experiences as a high school or undergraduate student interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is pivotal for their academic and professional development. A structured teaching framework can help cultivate a student's curiosity and passion for learning and research. In this study, an eight-week training program was created to encompass fundamental molecular biology principles and hands-on laboratory activities. This curriculum focuses on using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing in the Caenorhabditis elegans model organism. Through pre- and post-program assessments, enhancements in students' molecular biology proficiency and enthusiasm for scientific exploration were observed. Overall, this training module demonstrated its accessibility and ability to engage inexperienced students in molecular biology and gene editing methodologies.

Diet-induced obesity mediated through Estrogen-Related Receptor α is independent of intestinal function.

Obesity has become an epidemic, prompting advances in therapies targeting this condition. Estrogen-related receptor α (ESRRA), a transcription factor, plays pivotal roles in energy metabolism across diverse tissues. Studies have demonstrated that loss of Esrra leads to fat malabsorption and resistance to diet-induced obesity. However, the reliance of these studies on germline Esrra mutants overlooks the tissue-specific implications of ESRRA in diet-induced obesity. Notably, Esrra exhibits high expression in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract relative to other tissues. Given the critical role of the GI tract in dietary lipid metabolism, this study employs mouse genetics and genomics approaches to dissect the specific impact of intestinal ESRRA along with investigating its role in diet-induced obesity.

Summer undergraduate biomedical research program for underrepresented minority students in a rural, low-income state

IntroductionDiversity can enhance the agenda and quality of biomedical research, but a dearth of underrepresented minorities and women serve as biomedical researchers. The study purpose was to examine the impact of the a summer undergraduate research program on self-efficacy in research, scientific communication, and leadership as well as scientific identity, valuing objectives of the scientific community, and intent to pursue a biomedical research career.MethodsUnderrepresented minority and female undergraduate students participated in a mentored research experience in a rural, low-income state.ResultsStudents' self-efficacy in research, scientific communication, and leadership as well as scientific identity, valuing objectives of the scientific community, and intent to pursue a biomedical research career increased post-program compared to pre-program.ConclusionThis study supports implementation of a biomedical summer undergraduate research program for URM and women in a poor, rural, settings.

Our undergraduate program for physiology research, UPRIME (Undergraduate Physiology In Medicine and Education) will continue and further encourage and foster our majors in Human Physiology to enter careers in the health professions and physiology research

We previously announced and reported on our undergraduate summer research program, UPRIME, funded by an American Heart Association Grant with departmental support, has been successful in the fostering of junior and senior undergraduates (UPRIME Scholars) for the health professions and research. UPRIME is a 13-week summer program that provides opportunities for biomedical research, educational support and career advising. Our hope is that this holistic approach builds a space for inclusive excellence in which UPRIME scholars can acquire the tools needed for success. During the past three years, we have selected UPRIME Scholars based on the strength of their applications. We have matched the research interests of the students with our departmental strengths and met with the scholars weekly to foster a peer-based community and augment their research efforts with scientific seminars and discussions. Additionally, our UPRIME Scholars were supported to present their work at local and national level meetings. Our companion program, INPUT (INtegrative Biology & Physiology Undergraduate Training) which is designed for freshmen and sophomores with strong interest in physiology, is also part of our department’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Here, we are updating the statuses of previous and current UPRIME Scholars. Previous UPRIME Scholars have graduated and entered either professional schools (including medical and dental) or continue to work in our research labs. In addition, our most recent 2023 UPRIME Scholars that will graduate between 2023 and 2024 are currently still working in their mentors’ labs. Our department will continue to support UPRIME. In addition, we are committed to expanding our program to the regional and national levels. We seek highly motivated applicants from around the nation to apply to UPRIME for the opportunity to gain meaningful experiences in physiology research. American Heart Association. 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.

The Influence of Perceived Discrimination on Heart Rate Variability in Young Black Adults

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, with a disproportional precedence in Black adults. Heart rate variability (HRV) is used to help predict future CVD, with lower HRV indicative of a compromised cardiovascular system. Prior evidence has suggested that experienced racial discrimination is associated with CVD risk. However, there is limited information regarding experienced racial discrimination on HRV in young Black adults. Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether personal-level and group-level racial discrimination was associated with worse HRV in young Black adults. Methods: Black adults aged 18-25 (n=18, 44.45% female) volunteered to participate in this study, arriving at the lab at 7am in a fasted state. Following 30 minutes of rest, HRV measures were assessed using a SphygmoCor 3-lead ECG in a supine position. The HRV measure included the standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN), the mean number of times an hour successive NN intervals exceeds 50ms (pNN50), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), the low-frequency (LF) power domain, high-frequency (HF) power domain, and their ratio (LF:HF). Participants were given a perceived racial discrimination questionnaire that assessed personal-level and group-level discrimination. Pearson correlations were used to analyze the association between perceived racial discrimination measures and HRV measures. Results: In Black males, perceived personal-level racial discrimination was negatively associated with sympathetic activity (LF, R2 = -0.704, p = 0.023) and sympathovagal balance (LF:HF, R2 = -0.749, p = 0.013), and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (HF, R2 = 0.704, p = 0.023). Perceived group-level racial discrimination was not associated with HRV measures. Furthermore, perceived racial discrimination was not associated with HRV in Black females. Conclusion: Although decreased HRV has been associated with increased risk for CVD, higher HRV has been shown to be associated with left ventricular mass in Black adults. Therefore, HRV implications may be dependent on social determinants of health and other covariates that are associated with race/ethnicity. In the current study, higher HRV was observed in Black males who reported higher personal-level discrimination, which may be an important factor in sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac control and CVD risk. Given our preliminary findings, more research is warranted that investigates the impact of racial identity, resiliency, coping, and healthy lifestyle behaviors on mitigating the detrimental impact of perceived racial discrimination on the cardiovascular health of young Black adults. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Recipient from the American Physiological Society. 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.

Role of Ovarian Hormones on proBDNF Levels in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla: Influences Related to Neuronal Plasticity and Sympathetic Control of Blood Pressure

Introduction: Rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are lower in females of reproductive age when compared to age-matched males. However, at the onset of menopause, a period characterized by decreases in ovarian hormones, there is a marked and dramatic rise in the incidence of CVD in females. Therefore, the presence of ovarian hormones may serve a cardioprotective role due to actions on several target organs, including the brain. In the brainstem, the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) has been implicated in CVD due to its direct impact on blood pressure. The RVLM also contains receptors for both the pro- and mature forms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF and mBDNF), a key neurotrophin which has been linked to ovarian hormones by the existence of an estrogen response element (ERE) on the bdnf gene. While mBDNF positively influences neuroplasticity by increasing connectivity between neurons (i.e., increased dendritic branching). Alternatively, proBDNF can decrease neuronal excitability—and potentially reduce RVLM overactivity—via structural actions which oppose those enacted by mBDNF. Ovarian hormones may modulate neuronal activity in the RVLM via ERE-mediated effects on proBDNF expression, providing a mechanism for the “cardioprotective” effects observed in females of reproductive age. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the presence of ovarian hormones maintains proBDNF levels in the RVLM, minimizing activation of the RVLM, thus conferring cardioprotection. Methods: Four-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats received ovariectomy (OVX) or sham surgery (n=5 and n=4, respectively). Rats were sacrificed at 16 weeks of age and the hindbrain was cut into 80μm coronal sections, from which the RVLM was isolated by tissue punches. Using the caudal pole of the facial nucelus as a landmark, punches were pooled into 4 discrete rostrocaudal subregions. Western blotting was performed to determine proBDNF levels in the RVLM relative to the loading control GAPDH. Results: Average proBDNF expression appeared higher in the RVLM of sham versus OVX females at all rostrocaudal levels; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.169, main effect), perhaps due to lower sample sizes. There were no significant rostrocaudal variations in proBDNF expression (p=0.598, main effect), nor was there a significant interaction between main effects (p=0.687). Conclusions: These results suggest that the presence of ovarian hormones may maintain proBDNF expression in the RVLM; however, greater sample sizes will likely provide more definitive conclusions. Additionally, future studies could also address potential sex differences by examining the influence of ovarian hormones on expression of mBDNF. We anticipate our studies will illuminate the relationship between ovarian hormones and cardioprotection via the RVLM, thus providing insight into sex differences in CVD. R01-HL161233, APS and WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships. 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.

Evaluating Physiological and Organizational Properties of the Tight Junction ZO-1 ZU-5 Domain in MDCK Cells

Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is an essential TJ component contributing to junctional formation by mediating interactions between junctional proteins and the actomyosin cytoskeleton. MDCK II cells, a model epithelial cell line, with ZO-1 knocked-out (ZO-1 KO) have observable phenotypic changes such as alterations in the actin cytoskeletal organization and physiological barrier properties. This study focuses on the ZO-1-ZU5 domain by rescuing ZO-1 with full-length and a panel of ZO-1-ZU5 mutants. ZO-1-ZU-5 is known to bind cingulin and through this interaction ZO-1 adopts an extended conformation. We examined actomyosin cytoskeleton organization, ZO-1 mobility, gene expression and barrier function to determine whether the ZO-1-ZU5 mutants rescue full-length activity. We found that the ZO-1- ZU5 truncation mutant cell line rescued transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) but did not rescue tight junction distribution or the amount of total gamma-actin. We will present evaluation of additional ZU5 mutants. This study expands our understanding of how extended ZO-1 regulates the mechanical, genetic, and phenotypic properties of epithelial cells. Trinity University Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 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.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Immunolabeling in C4-C5 Spinal Cord of Adult Female Rats Following Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH) Exposure Composed of 5,3-min Hypoxic Episodes (AIH5x3min) at 4-weeks After mid-thoracic SCI

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) induces spinal neural plasticity in both respiratory and non-respiratory somatic motor systems. AIH-induced neural plasticity has been best studied in the respiratory neural control system, where exposure to moderate AIH (9-15% inspired O2), typically composed of 3,5-min hypoxic episodes (AIH3x5min), has been shown to consistently elicit a robust increase in phrenic motor activity due to a serotonin-dependent mechanism that promotes de novo synthesis of BDNF and activation of high affnity BDNF-TrkB receptors to initiate ERK MAP kinase signaling in phrenic motoneurons. Whether other protocols that use a total duration of 15 min of hypoxic exposure, but with an increased number of shorter duration hypoxic episodes ( e.g, AIH5x3min) similarly elicit serotonin-dependent BDNF pathway-mediated neural plasticity mechanisms in this region remains to be determined. To begin to assess this possibility, we evaluated BDNF expression in C4-C5 spinal cord segments containing the phrenic motor nucleus following single exposure to AIH5x3min (12% O2) in urethane-anesthetized spontaneously breathing adult female rats at 4-weeks after mid-thoracic SCI. Experiments using AIH3x5min (12% O2) exposure and intermittent normoxia (Nx, 21% O2) exposure served as controls. At ~60-90 min after the AIH or Nx exposure protocol, the rats were transcardially perfused with saline followed by 4% PFA, and various regions of the CNS, including the C3-C5 spinal cord were removed, post-fixed, and cryoprotected. 20 μm thick transverse sections were then cut to obtain sets of slides for single- or double-label fluorescence IHC staining to localize BDNF protein expression in the C4-C5 spinal cord, including the region containing the phrenic motor nucleus. Preliminary analyses show that both AIH5x3min and AIH3x5min exposures elicit increased BDNF expression when compared to Nx exposure, with both diffuse cytosolic and punctate immunofluorescence labeling in and around neurons within the phrenic motor nucleus region, including labeling of presumptive phrenic motoneurons. No labeling was seen in adjacent tissue sections that were incubated without the primary antibody. Immunofluorescence labeling was also seen in the more medial regions of lamina VIII in the ventral horn, the medial regions of laminae VI and VII, and throughout lamina X; these regions have been reported to contain the V0-V3 classes of spinal interneurons (SpINs) albeit we did not verify BDNF labeling of specific classes of presumptive SpINs. These preliminary observations suggest that AIH5x3min exposure likely recruits a serotonin-dependent BDNF pathway-mediated mechanism for neural plasticity in a manner similar to that seen for AIH3x5min exposure. APS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship; DOD CDMRP W81XWH-17-1-0260; NYS DOH SCIRB C37711GG. 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.

Effect of Intravenous Delivery of N,N Dimethyltryptamine on Sleep-Wake States in Rat

Psychedelics, including N, N, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are being increasingly explored for therapeutic potential to treat psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These and other psychiatric conditions have a bidirectional relationship with sleep patterns but the impact of psychedelics, particularly DMT, on sleep architecture is incompletely understood. Therefore, in this study, we determined the effect of intravenous DMT administration on sleep-wake states in male and female rats. Under surgical isoflurane anesthesia, adult Sprague Dawley rats (n=10, 5 male, 5 female) were instrumented with electrodes to record electroencephalogram (EEG) from across the cortex and electromyogram (EMG) from dorsal nuchal muscles. In addition, a chronic catheter was positioned in jugular vein for the infusion of DMT or 0.9% saline (as vehicle control). Each rat received an intravenous bolus (100 uL/min over 5 min) of either one of two doses of DMT (low dose: 3.75 mg/kg, high dose: 7.5 mg/kg) or 0.9% saline. The DMT and saline infusions were performed 30-minutes after the start of the lights-ON period (8:00 am) after which EEG and EMG data were recorded for 24h across the light and dark cycle. EEG and EMG data were manually scored (SleepSign, Kissei Comtec) in 4-second intervals and classified as wakefulness, slow-wave sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, then averaged in 3h bins across the 24h recording period. A linear mixed model was used to compare the changes in percent time spent in each state, mean duration per episode for each state, and mean number of episodes for each state, between vehicle control and DMT infusion sessions. There was a statistically significant increase in the time spent in wakefulness in the first 3h bin after DMT infusion (p<0.02 for low dose, p<0.03 for high dose). In the same 3h bin, a significant decrease in slow-wave sleep (p<0.02 for low and high dose DMT) was observed. DMT infusion produced a significant increase in the latency to the onset of rapid eye movement sleep (p<0.01), but no statistical effect was observed on the time spent in rapid eye movement sleep during the light period. Our results with DMT align with previous reports showing an increase in wakefulness after administration of serotonergic psychedelics. Further analysis of neurophysiologic data is needed to understand the neural dynamics associated with DMT-induced increases in wakefulness. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan. RS was partly supported by Magnificent Michigan Summer Undergraduate Research fellowship, University of Michigan. 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.

Investigating the Impact of Circulating miRNAs on Cardiovascular System Remodeling During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women undergo significant remodeling of their cardiovascular system, a complex process involving various physiological adaptations to ensure an adequate blood supply to the developing fetus. An intriguing area of research focuses on the role of circulating microRNAs, particularly the primate-specific chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC) and the rodent-specific chromosome 2 miRNA cluster (C2MC), both of which exhibit high expression levels in the placenta. Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, play a crucial role in intercellular communication and may carry microRNAs that contribute to the physiological changes observed during pregnancy. However, the influence of circulating C19MC and C2MC microRNAs on maternal cardiovascular system remodeling remains unexplored. We hypothesized that the increased levels of circulating C2MC or C19MC microRNAs during pregnancy might play a role in the maternal cardiovascular system adaptations. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a study to determine whether circulating exosomes during pregnancy lead to elevated expression levels of C19MC or C2MC microRNAs in various organs, including the heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lungs, and brain. In our investigation, we utilized three distinct mouse models: wild-type (WT) mice expressing only C2MC, C2MC knock-out (KO) mice, and a novel humanized mouse model, which combined C2MC KO with either a single or double copy of the human C19MC. We extracted total RNA from the organs of these mice and performed cDNA synthesis. Subsequently, we measured the expression levels of two representative microRNAs, miR-517a and miR-466a, corresponding to C19MC and C2MC, respectively, in the organs of pregnant and non-pregnant mice using TaqMan RT-qPCR. Our results indicated no significant differences in the expression levels of miR-517a and miR-466a when normalized to the housekeeping gene snoRNA-202 across different organs in pregnant and non-pregnant mice. To comprehensively assess the expression patterns of all microRNAs within the C19MC and C2MC clusters in various organs of pregnant and non-pregnant mice, further investigation with a larger sample size and small RNA-Seq analysis is warranted. This approach will enable us to explore a broader spectrum of microRNAs and potentially identify specific candidates that may play a crucial role in the essential physiological process of maternal cardiovascular system remodeling. This study is supported by USF Cardiovascular Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) sponsored by the American Heart Association. 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).

156 Art as a Multiplier of Science Communication

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Scientists are increasingly confronted with 'science critical' #_msocom_1 belief systems. The politicization of science fuels hesitancy towards evidence-based therapies. To overcome these barriers, we aim to devise strategies to communicate clinical translational science (CTS) through art. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A two-year pilot artist-in-residency (AIR) program embedded in the Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP). Since 2009, TRIP contributes to CTS Workforce Development (WD) through a 10-week mentored, curriculum-rich summer undergraduate research experience. Students are recruited from 5 regional institutions, 6 HBCUs, and the University of Puerto Rico. AIR is composed of 3 phases: the “Immersive Phase” where the artist gains intensive exposure to the scientific process through the lived experience of TRIP students, the “Productive Phase” where the artist conceptualizes the process of CTS into works of art, and the “Engagement Phase” where the CTS workforce, artists, and community members coalesce around science-to-art materializations. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In 2022 & 2023 the AIR participated in ~35hrs of CTS research seminars, panel discussions, and professional skills workshops. Additional TRIP student-AIR interaction occurred in focus groups including visits to mentor’s labs. An AIR-led workshop culminated in an Empowering CTS Communication event where TRIP students engaged with community members through elevator pitches of their CTS summer project on a speed-rotating basis. A month-long art-CTS exhibition planned for 3/2024 will feature contributions from AIR, TRIP students, and ITMAT community members. Qualitative insights were that TRIP is an effective art-science incubator, students strengthened their CTS communication skills, art functions as an icebreaker between science and communities with an ocean of opportunities for science education. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: AIR embedded into existing CTS WD programs is proposed as creative approach to strengthen the reputation of science in the public. CTS-informed art functions as connective tissue between public and CTS workforce. The hands-on experience to adopt art as a science communication tool is a powerful soft skill for the next generation of CTS investigators.

Creating an Undergraduate Research Program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) for Students Underrepresented in Medicine.

To report implementation and outcomes associated with a novel paid Summer Undergraduate Research Education Program (SREP) over the first 2years in an academic otolaryngology program recruiting students underrepresented in medicine (URiM). A 10-week program including a research bootcamp, curriculum, mentoring, and clinical shadowing was created. Grant funding to provide salary and support for transportation, conference attendance, and graduate school preparation or applications was procured. Primary objectives included (1) development of successful mentorship relationships; (2) increasing student-reported outcomes using pre- and post-program surveys to assess confidence, career planning, and overall satisfaction; (3) increasing exposure to medicine; (4) completion of an oral presentation; and (5) submission of a manuscript. Secondary objectives included abstract submission and completion of a graduate exam course or graduate school applications. Tertiary objectives included conference attendance and graduate school matriculation. One hundred thirty-five total applications were reviewed (89 from year 1 and 46 from year 2). Twelve students were interviewed for 3 spots in year 1, while 11 students were interviewed for 6 spots in year 2 (median application score, 9.25 (range, 1-14); median interview score, 8.7 (range, 5.4-10); acceptance rate, 6.7% (9/135)). Students met all primary objectives. Mean program survey scores increased from 3.8 to 4.77 (p < 0.0001). Eight of nine students submitted an abstract to a national conference, with five of eight students accepted for a presentation. Two students were accepted into graduate school, while five others are on track for graduate school application. Identifying mentors, curriculum, and opportunities to meaningfully strengthen graduate school applications for URiM students through a clinically rigorous, financially supported, and research-focused summer program in an academic otolaryngology program is feasible and may be an effective means of increasing diversity in medicine and otolaryngology. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-024-02021-z.

The impact of the summer undergraduate research or internship experience in acoustics program on my knowledge and passion for material science and acoustics

Throughout an enriching 10-week experience with the Acoustical Society of America's Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Acoustics program (SUREIA), I had the privilege of contributing to the innovative research at Penn State's Arguelles Lab, focusing on ultrasound as a tool for characterizing material properties and defects. Despite my background in communication science, I immersed myself in material science through the lab. I collaborated with graduate students to learn immersion ultrasound testing on bulk ceramic materials and processed data using MATLAB. At the end of the opportunity, I presented my findings at Penn State University and the SURIEA Program Open House. Beyond the academic pursuits, the true richness of this experience lies in the meaningful connections cultivated within my SUREIA cohort and lab members. These connections have not only enhanced my understanding of material science but have also provided me with a network of like-minded individuals whom I can collaborate with in the future. Additionally, the Arguelles Lab has provided me with invaluable mentorship and guidance, enabling me to enhance my research skills and broaden my knowledge in the unfamiliar yet fascinating field of material science.

Mentoring across difference and distance: building effective virtual research opportunities for underrepresented minority undergraduate students in biological sciences.

Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are established to provide platforms for interest in scientific research and as tools for eventual matriculation to scientific graduate programs. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of in-person programs for 2020 and 2021, creating the need for alternative programming. The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP) was created to provide a virtual option to REUs in microbiology to compensate for the pandemic-initiated loss of research opportunities. Although in-person REUs have since been restored, NSURP currently remains an option for those unable to travel to in-person programs in the first place due to familial, community, and/or monetary obligations. This study examines the effects of the program's first 3 years, documenting the students' experiences, and suggests future directions and areas of study related to the impact of virtual research experiences on expanding and diversifying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Modifying Summer Undergraduate Research Programs during COVID-19 Increased Graduate School Intentions but Exacerbated Anxieties.

COVID-19 created unprecedented challenges for college students, highlighting the need to provide educational contexts that foster well-being. Summer undergraduate research experiences (SUREs) constitute a high-impact practice, yet little systematic knowledge exists about how the first surge of COVID-19 influenced undergraduate researchers' well-being. This knowledge is important for preparing for future disruptions. This study applies the student well-being model (SWBM) to examine how SURE status (e.g., modification vs. cancellation) impacted students' mental health and graduate school intentions using primary survey data collected from U.S. undergraduate researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in Summer 2020 (n = 408, from 131 institutions). Just under half had their SURE canceled, and the others engaged in modified SUREs. Students whose SUREs were canceled had reduced anxiety severity (p < 0.05), but greater concerns about graduate school matriculation (p < 0.001), compared with students with modified SUREs. Results suggest that modified SUREs are a reasonable path forward under conditions where in-person contact is untenable. Results point toward potential improvements in higher education practices that may enhance student well-being following disruptive events. Program directors can address potential causes of anxiety in modified SUREs, advocate for student-centered adjustments to graduate admission processes, and use experiences during COVID-19 as a springboard to broaden participation in undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Summer Research Program in the Midst of a Pandemic: Insights From the Morehouse College Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Virtual Summer Research Program

Undergraduate Summer Research Program in the Midst of a Pandemic: Insights From the Morehouse College Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Virtual Summer Research Program

“It Seems Like I’m Doing Something More Important”—An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Transformative Impact of Research Experiences for STEM Students with ADHD

Recent studies have suggested a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and increased creativity and ingenuity. Clinical work suggests that individuals with ADHD generally gravitate toward exploratory rather than exploitative thinking. Yet, these theories have not been tested in the field. This paper is a case study of a transformative undergraduate summer research program that allows engineering students with ADHD to spend 10 weeks in engineering labs at a research-intensive (R1) university. The program intends to show that students with ADHD can excel in engineering and STEM fields when placed in research environments that align with their natural cognitive processes and preferences. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) on post-program participant interviews, this paper suggests that engineering students with ADHD perceive that they learn more effectively when given the opportunity to explore academic material via hands-on research. The traditional structure of STEM education, with its focus on lectures and rigid curricula, causes significant harm to these students, leading to struggles, anxiety, and even thoughts of dropping out. In contrast, the research environment appears to foster creativity and motivation in students with ADHD, as it allows for exploration, provides real-world problem-solving opportunities, and offers tangible, hands-on experiences. This paper highlights the need for a paradigm shift in engineering pedagogy to better engage with and retain this neurodiverse student population and fully harness their creative potential.

To IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Members [President’s Message

It is my deep honor and pleasure to serve as the 2023 president of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S). During the first few months of the year, several important discussions and decisions have been taken by the Society. What we can do to serve our members was a primary topic of discussion at the AdCom meeting held in Dubai on 25 February 2023. The proposal by Branislav Notaros, president-elect, and myself to lower the registration fee for student members of AP-S to US$1 has been approved by the AdCom. This will allow our Society to attract many more student members in the near future. The balance of the Society for 2022 is extremely positive with a surplus mainly due to publications, paper downloading, and conference revenues. In 2022, we have had significant investments in new initiatives, mainly addressed to students and early-stage researchers, like the AP-S Fellowship (48 students awarded), Student Travel Grants (34 students awarded), and Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship (20 students awarded). These initiatives are in addition to the several already existing successful programs to support students, including the C.J. Reddy Travel Grant.