OFF-CAMPUS RESEARCH
Dixie Shafer
Office of Undergraduate Research & Graduate Opportunity (URGO)
Lara Crombie
TRIO McNair Scholars Program
What is off-campus research?
Why do research off-campus?
Why do research?
Why off-campus?
Eligibility
Target Populations
Most research programs are looking for applicants from:
How to find opportunities
Minnesota Programs
University of Minnesota
Other Highlighted Programs
International Students
Things to consider…
Application Components
Apply to 4-6 programs
Sample Prompt - Single Essay
Please explain why you would like to participate in the program. You may want to incorporate your reasons for seeking this type of experience, the appropriateness of your academic preparation for full-time lab research, any previous research, and/or your particular academic and career interests. Your answer should be approximately 700-1000 words.
Sample - Multiple Prompts
200-WORD PROMPTS
Group Activity
Skills, Characteristics & Experiences
Skills
Writing, problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, learning from mistakes, working in a team
Characteristics
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, persistent, adaptable, hard working, curious, enthusiastic, reliable
Experiences
General Writing Tips
Fitting Funder’s Mission
Liberal Arts and Community Colleges
I come from a small college where undergraduate research opportunities in biology are limited. Conducting research at an institution like Boston University provides access to greater technology and learning through seminars as well as dialogue with established researchers. Having access to a larger lab and more advanced equipment would greatly benefit my research skills.
Fitting Funder’s Mission
Underserved Students
As a low-income, first-generation college student, there were few role models in my life who could guide me in finding the opportunities to gain skills and experiences in scientific research. My department at Minneapolis College is very supportive but does not have funding to provide research opportunities outside of coursework.
Coursework
In my computer science classes I am learning to determine what an algorithm does, as well as how to create algorithms to solve problems, such as sorting lists of data. For example my Introduction to Java class comes fairly easy to me not because I have programmed in Java before, but instead because I have used object-oriented languages, such as Swift and ObjectiveC for IOS devices.
Prior Research or Class Project
I completed 400-hour research project under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Beckman. The focus of the lab is working with a single-eyed crustacean, Daphnia magna, to illuminate the genetic origin of this anomaly. I had the task of conducting a side project looking at a closely related crustacean, focusing on its eye development along with hedgehog gene expression. I collaborated often with my lab mates and established a close rapport with my mentor. From this, I gained confidence in my decision making and learned new methods pertaining to molecular biology such as using RT -qPCR comparative Ct method to measure gene expression. I successfully completed my work having developed a protocol for culturing the animals, designing and validating a primer and probe set, as well as giving a written and oral report on my findings.
Reflection on Past Experiences
I learned that research is an exercise in delayed gratification, much different than the immediate results I experienced while completing lab work for my courses. For example, when validating my primer and probe set for qPCR, it took far longer than I originally thought it would. Another challenge was devising a method to culture animals that the lab previously had no success with. Despite this, I forged on and was able to begin collecting preliminary data. While some days I would be frustrated with the lack of results, even the slightest promise of newfound knowledge kept me returning each day.
Why This Program?
NIST laboratories are the perfect fit for my interest in cutting-edge research in spectrometry or applied mathematics and simulation. Time at NIST would aid me in making decisions about a graduate research focus and provide me with necessary experience working in a large lab. A research position at NIST will help expand my research skills, my knowledge, and my experience, all of which I am determined to improve. I would like to improve my communication skills while at NIST through working with my mentor and other scientists.
What Research Interests You?
Comparative genomics along with genetics are also fields that greatly interest me. This is why I find the project on Myxozoan Parasites of Amazonian Fishes so compelling. It is clear that these microscopic organisms are a widespread issue for farmed fishes as well as wild populations. Just reading a few articles left me eager to delve into the genetics of their parasitism. I have experience working with small amounts of genetic material to amplify and this is a process I would like to continue and develop. The prospect of working on a largely genetics-based project excites me, in addition to learning how to apply bioinformatics to findings. Because I am considering graduate study in genomics, it is important that I learn how to analyze complex data.
Future Plans and Goals
Following my time at Augsburg I hope to attend graduate school so I can participate in research either in an industry position or in an academic setting. With my graduate degree, I hope to further the knowledge of plant genetics and plant-microbe interactions, as these fields have such great potential in supplying food in the most efficient way for an ever growing global population.
What Happens Next?
Contact for Augsburg students
urgo@augsburg.edu