Merck – AAAS USRP

Merck – AAAS

Undergraduate Science Research

Program

    Lawrence University was awarded a Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program grant in 2002 to initiate a new program that provides opportunities for new interdisciplinary learning and substantial cross-disciplinary collaborative research in Biology and Chemistry. Four research projects in two thematic areas are currently being conducted with the help of this grant. In addition to conducting the research, students report their findings and participate in an interdisciplinary seminar series. The award is stimulating long-term collaborative efforts between Biology and Chemistry with continued university support.

Thematic Area 1

Characterization and Activity of Chemical Messengers in Biological Systems

Project 1:    Biochemical Analysis of Kairomones and Developmental Biologyof Inducible Defenses in Daphnia

Principal Investigators:

Bart De Stasio, Jerrold Lokensgard & Nancy Wall

(histology image)

(Induced Necktooth Morphology image)

 

Project 2:    Behavioral and Biochemical Analyses of Sex Identification Pheromones in Crickets

Principal Investigators:

Brad Rence & Jerrold Lokensgard

 

Project 3:    The Role of Polyamines in the Senescence of the Hepatic Marchantia polymorpha

Principal Investigators:

Nicholas Maravolo & Jerrold. Lokensgard

 

Thematic Area 2

Project 4:     LED light quality-induced differences in thylakoid membrane structure in etiolated Brassica rapa seedlings: A thin section electron microscopic study

Principal Investigators:

Lawrence University

Mary Blackwell, Karen Nordell & William Perreault

Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison

A. Ellis, Chemistry, P. Williams, Plant Pathology

 

Ancillary Programs

    Four initiatives are bringing together faculty and students as part of this program:

  • “Kick-off” luncheon and social for the summer research term

  • Weekly summer undergraduate research symposium

  • Annual summer workshop

  • Interdisciplinary seminar series.

At the luncheon, faculty describe their Merck-sponsored interdisciplinary research, thus serving as a model to students. The weekly symposium showcases collaborative, interdisciplinary work, encouraging cross-disciplinary thinking, and gives students opportunities to hone their skills in oral communication. A workshop each summer supplements Merck/AAAS USRP supported projects. To encourage interdisciplinary thinking prior to college, this workshop overlaps with Lawrence’s Summer Institute for Advanced Placement High School teachers, demonstrating how biology and chemistry can be merged in the classroom. Lastly, the Merck-AAAS Bio-Chem Seminars meets bi-weekly for one academic term each year and focuses on a theme coordinated with Merck-sponsored research projects.