Research

Research opportunities and projects with undergrad researcher in background

One of the main goals of the Wyoming INBRE Network continues to be to increase education and research opportunities for Wyoming community college and University of Wyoming undergraduate students to guide them into baccalaureate programs and advanced training in the biomedical sciences and to enhance the biomedical infrastructure within the state. A variety of network linkages have been developed to provide University and community college researchers, faculty and students access to biomedical education and research resources.


McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program prepares undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education for success in doctoral degree programs.

UW's McNair Scholars Program encourages students to pursue graduate studies by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.The McNair Scholars Program prepares eligible undergraduates for graduate study at the doctoral level. Twelve to sixteen new McNair Scholars are selected each year to participate in both academic and summer activities.

Wyoming INBRE

The ultimate goal the INBRE program is to promote the development, coordination, and sharing of research resources and expertise that will expand research opportunities and increase the number of competitive investigators in IDeA‐eligible states. 

 

 

The INBRE UW- Community College Transition Scholars Program

The INBRE UW- Community College Transition Scholars Program provides support for selected community college students to attend the University of Wyoming for 2 years and engage in INBRE supported research activities in addition to their degree coursework. Recipients transfer to UW as juniors and during the first year rotate through a series of experiences in INBRE supported laboratories. At the end of the second semester, in conjunction with a faculty member, the student selects a laboratory program to work in for the remainder of their baccalaureate program. The student must maintain full-time enrollment and at least a B (3.0) grade point average while being supported. Scholars are selected by community college INBRE collaborating faculty. Our goal is to select up to ten scholars each year for students to transition to the university in the fall.

The INBRE UW- Community College Video Seminar Series

The INBRE UW- Community College Video Seminar Series presents videoconference seminars by University of Wyoming researchers and campus visitors to community college faculty and students using the UW Outreach Videoconference Network. On average 2 seminars have been presented per academic semester. During INBRE-2 efforts will focus on developing a regular schedule that will be published in the INBRE Newsletter and INBRE website and identifying an incentive system to attract more presenters. A statewide Videoconference Science Journal Club in which all INBRE supported students and faculty participate is also under discussion.

The INBRE UW-Community College Transition Course Program

The INBRE UW-Community College Transition Course Program focuses on developing distance delivered (videoconference and/ or online) undergraduate life science courses that allow community college students to advance towards baccalaureate degrees in biomedical related programs before physically moving to a four-year campus. The goal of INBRE 1 was to develop five courses. To date seven courses are available to students across Wyoming (general microbiology (internet), genetics (videoconference/online hybrid), evolutionary biology (videoconference/online hybrid), principles of biochemistry (online), cell biology (videoconference), microbial ecology (videoconference), and HIV-AIDS: the epidemic and dilemma (videoconference)). INBRE-2 efforts will focus on enhancing existing courses using latest technologies (podcasting, videostreaming, and webconferencing) and developing additional courses including but not limited to biostatistics, biomedical/ research ethics, and informatics/computational biology.

The INBRE UW Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

The INBRE UW Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program provides support for outstanding undergraduate students in the biological and physical sciences or mathematics on the University of Wyoming campus to work on biomedical related research projects. University of Wyoming  undergraduates apply for these assistantships to conduct an independent research activity directed by a University of Wyoming research mentor. The goal of the program is to provide students with a meaningful research experience that will encourage them to pursue the baccalaureate degree in a biomedical related undergraduate program. Students receiving assistanships are expected to write their own research proposal, conduct the proposed independent study project, write a research paper describing the project and results, and present results of their work at the annual WY INBRE Conference and at Wyoming Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Day. About 10-12 awards are made each academic semester and in summer. Summer undergraduate researchers are required to present their work at the Summer INBRE Research Symposium.

The INBRE Bioinformatics Summer Institute

The INBRE Bioinformatics Summer Institute is a summer program for select undergraduate students from the University of Wyoming, Wyoming community colleges, other western INBRE states and select liberal arts colleges. Bringing together top students from across the country provides an intellectually stimulating and challenging environment that increases the impact of the student experience and hopefully aids UW student recruitment into informatics programs. One former participant is currently enrolled in the Molecular Biology Ph.D. program at University of Wyoming. The institute will also foster collaboration and student exchange between Western INBRE state schools. The ten week program includes a symposium with presentations describing bioinformatics research on campus, graduate research opportunities on campus, seminars from the PIs hosting students, ten weeks doing research in a host laboratory focusing on their self-declared research interests, and concluding student presentations on research accomplishments. Students also attend seminars and the Molecular Biology Distinguished Summer Scholar Lectures. In the future greater effort will be made to recruit top UW and Wyoming community college students and promote exchange among Western INBRE state universities. Links have already been established with the program in New Mexico, particularly New Mexico State University and University of New Mexico. Student slots in similar programs in New Mexico will be reserved for University of Wyoming students.

EPSCoR

EPSCoR is a federal grant program which enables Wyoming to be nationally competitive in science and technology. EPSCoR funding and state match appropriations are utilized to build science and engineering in higher education and a technology-based economy for the future. EPSCoR has helped to move the State of Wyoming along the path of research and excellence by supporting the State's research endeavors.

Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium

Wyoming Space Grant sponsors educational and research programs in the state of Wyoming in support of NASA's missions. 

Wyoming Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) awards fellowships to undergraduate students attending the University of Wyoming and participating in Senior Engineering Design projects. Undergraduates who are interested in engineering careers gain valuable experience participating in design projects. Women and students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.