About the REU Program (Summer 2009)

UPDATE 11/11/2008
2009: We are awaiting a funding decision from the NSF. We hope to have an answer by mid-December 2008. Please check back at that time.

Questions can be posed to Dr. Van Doze
vdoze@medicine.nodak.edu
701-777-6222

Funded by the National Science Foundation, this is a 10 week summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) in laboratories of Drs. Diane Darland, Tristan Darland, Van Doze, James Porter, Peter Meberg, Timothy Bigelow and Colin Combs at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota in the Departments of Biology and Pharmacology, Physiology & Therapeutics. Each of these scientists conducts research in various areas of neuroscience. Their research laboratories examine the roles of neurotransmitters, protein receptors, synaptic plasticity and neural development in the brain.

Successful applicants will work in a laboratory alongside graduate and undergraduate students at the University of North Dakota (UND). In addition to basic lab procedures, participants will learn brain dissection, digital imaging and microscopy, electrophysiology techniques, protein analysis, molecular biology methods or receptor modeling, depending on the laboratory. As part of the preparation for success, each selected applicant will read background material for understanding the ongoing experiments, as well as participate in lab meetings and present research findings in a poster session.

Participants will receive a $7,000 REU award, designed to cover stipend, room and board, and travel to and from UND. Additional funding is also available for child care, if needed, and arrangements can be made with UND child care services or others. Interested applicants must complete an application, including an autobiographical sketch, and have their college transcript and two letters of recommendation sent to Dr. Van A. Doze. Application review and notification will begin Tuesday, February 20th and continue until all the positions are filled with qualified applicants. The program will begin June 2, 2008. Participating undergraduates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. High school graduates who have not yet enrolled in college and students who will have already received their bachelor's degrees are not eligible.

Criteria for selection will be based primarily on the student's academic performance and educational and career goals. Preference will be given to students with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in science, including teaching. Preference will be given to students from groups underrepresented in the sciences and to first generation college students (students whose parents did not graduate from college). Up to 12 students will be selected.

This opportunity is sponsored by the National Science Foundation REU program and is administered jointly by the North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges and the University of North Dakota. For more information please contact Dr. T. M. Bull Bennett (bbennett@ndatc.org), Tribal College Science Coordinator; North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges (701) 223-4100 or Dr. Van A. Doze (vdoze@medicine.nodak.edu), Pharmacology, Physiology & Therapeutics, University of North Dakota (701) 777-6222.