The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Undergraduate Affiliate Network (UAN) is a national organization comprised of university-based chapters dedicated to the advancement of undergraduate research, research-based undergraduate education, and K-12 outreach in biochemistry and molecular biology. This year the UAN was able to offer several awards and scholarships designed to support undergraduate and K-12 research, and community engagement in the study of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Undergraduate Research Award Winners
Undergraduate Research Awards in the amount of $1,000 are awarded to UAN student members conducting research under the direction of a faculty member who is an ASBMB member. The award is to be used for the purchase of research supplies and reagents. Awardees are expected to present their findings and results at the next ASBMB annual meeting and/or a regional ASBMB UAN meeting. This year's awardees are:
- Christopher Doucette, Wesleyan University
- Daniel Laurent, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Outreach Support Award Winners
The Outreach Support Award provides UAN Chapter winners with $250 to hold outreach events in K-12 schools in their region to promote STEM education and careers in biochemistry and molecular biology. The recipients of the 2009 Outreach Support Award are:
- College of Holy Cross
- Tennessee Technological University
- Seattle University
- Western Illinois University
7-12 Teacher Summer Research Award Winners
Totaling $12,000 per team, the purpose of this award is to promote research-based educational activities by building connections between teachers and students in secondary schools and colleges. A secondary purpose of this award is to provide grades 7-12 students with role models and present UAN faculty members and their students with meaningful service-learning opportunities. Each project pairs one grade 7-12 school teacher and a grade 7-12 student with a UAN faculty mentor and a UAN student. The following winning teams will work together for two years (two summers and one academic year):
- Stan Richter, Detroit Lakes High School and Joe Provost, Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Anne Mach, La Crosse Central High School and Todd Weaver, University of Wisconsin La Crosse
- John Spengler, Pine Creek High School and Mike Taber and Neena Grover, Colorado College
- Rachel Gruner and Rachel Jones, Robious Middle School, and Ellis Bell, Hugo Guterres and Farren Billue, University of Richmond
2009 Outstanding Regional UAN Chapter Award
This Award aims to recognize UAN chapters that have demonstrated leadership in their educational activities in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology, exhibited exceptional commitment to increasing public scientific awareness, demonstrated interaction with other campus activities and events, participated in regional and national meetings and showed sustained chapter activity. The three chapters receiving the award this year are:
- Colorado College
- Tennessee Technical University
- University of Delaware
2009 UAN Travel Award Winners
Travel Awards in the amount of $400 are used to support UAN students and faculty members attending the ASBMB Annual Meeting. The following recipients will attend this year's Annual Meeting in New Orleans, April 18-22. All UAN student Travel Award recipients will also be participating in the 13th Annual ASBMB Undergraduate Student Poster Competition at the meeting.
- Pablo Apablaza - Montclair State University
- Chloe Benson - Colorado College
- Kelsey Bohn - Western Illinois University
- Eric Brandt - University of Michigan, Dearborn
- Jenny Canine - Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Rachel Chikowski - University of Richmond
- Jennifer Chmielowski - Western Illinois University
- Cheerena Clay - Hampton University
- Sarah Connor - Washington and Lee University
- Brad Falk - University of Richmond
- Jarrett Failing - North Dakota State University
- Andrew Haak - Minnesota State University Moorehead
- Jason Hocking - University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
- Casey J. - Tennessee Tech University
- Derek Janssens - Grand Valley State University
- Robert Jones - University of Michigan, Dearborn
- Jessica Karr - Texas State University - San Marcos
- Adam Kerrigan - Holy Cross
- Craig Kutz - Minnesota State University, Moorehead
- Brittany Lekies - Viterbo University
- David Nemer - University of Notre Dame
- Ka Yang - Adelphi University
- Daniel Osipovitch - University of New Haven
- Matthew Richards - University of Delaware
- Alex Ritter - Concordia College
- James Ruble - Grand Valley State University
- Kyle Schneider - Grand Valley State University
- Jessica Stevens - Marymount Manhattan College
- Ryan Wilson - University of Delaware
- Meghan Woods - University of Delaware
- Daniel York - Holy Cross
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 12,000 members in the United States and internationally. Most members teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Others conduct research in various government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and industry. The Society's student members attend undergraduate or graduate institutions.
Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland, on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The Society's purpose is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology through publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Lipid Research, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific work force.
For more information about ASBMB, see the Society's Web site at www.asbmb.org.