Student Research and Student Awards

A remarkable trend among professional societies is a concerted effort to provide research experiences and foster the professional development of undergraduate students. In recent years, for example, an increasing number of societies specifically welcome undergraduate students to their annual meetings to present their own research. Several societies have introduced designated poster sessions and awards specifically for undergraduate students in recognition of the different levels of expertise of undergraduate students and more experienced scientists. Some activities of representative professional societies that support student research and student awards are listed below.

The American Bryological and Lichenological Society offers student scholarships for participation in the Humboldt Field Research Institute's week-long seminars in bryology or lichenology.

The American Ornithologists' Union offers competitive travel and presentation awards to undergraduate students for participation in the union's national meetings.

The American Physiological Society awards fellowships to undergraduate students for summer research experiences. The society also provides support for minority undergraduate students to attend the fall conferences. These meetings are focused on a specific physiology topic and occur in an informal setting, allowing for greater interaction between the students and leading scientists in the field of physiology.

Students are encouraged to present their research results in a special undergraduate poster session at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Prizes are awarded to the undergraduate students making the best poster presentations.

Outstanding Horticultural Student Awards are conferred by the American Society for Horticultural Science to undergraduate students to recognize their scholarship, leadership abilities, participation in campus/club activities, and service in their academic department.

Raqeeb M. Haque (right), a student at Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.), speaks with Dr. Charles Sokolik, assistant professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Denison University (Granville, Ohio) during the 1997 meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In 1997 and 1998, this society hosted a special poster session for undergraduate research as part of its national meeting.

The American Society for Microbiology sponsors an undergraduate research fellowship program that encourages students to pursue careers or advanced degrees in the microbiological sciences. Fellowships enable students to participate in research projects with its members and to present the results of their research at the annual meeting. The society also sponsors travel grants for undergraduate students that help defray the costs of presenting their research at the annual meetings.

Each year, the American Society of Agronomy recognizes outstanding senior undergraduates at four-year and two-year institutions for their scholarship and leadership activities. In cooperation with the Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America, the society offers local, regional, and national competitions in various events: for example, agronomy club achievement contest, collegiate crops contest, soils judging contest, student manuscript contest, student speech contest, slide presentation contest, and student research symposium contest. In addition, students participate in the Student Quiz Bowl, an event held as part of the student activities during the annual meeting.

Undergraduate student scholarships for study-abroad programs are offered by the Agronomic Science Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Agronomy,the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.

The American Society of Plant Physiologists offers competitive travel awards to under-graduate students to help fund transportation and accommodations in conjunction with its annual meeting.

Dr. J. Timothy Cannon (left), associate professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.), mentored Jennifer Quinn, the recipient of a 1997 travel award from the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience. She presented her research at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.

The American Water Resources Association offers an annual undergraduate student scholarship to enhance education in water resources. Undergraduate students are encouraged to present their research at student poster sessions during the annual meetings of the Association of College and University Biology Educators.

The Council on Undergraduate Research offers fellowships for undergraduate summer research projects in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. One type of fellowship also provides travel funds for its recipients to present their research at appropriate conferences.

The Entomological Society of America sponsors annual scholarships for under-graduate entomology students to continue their studies at their host institutions. Insect Expo, an integral part of the society's national meetings, annually attracts hundreds of local school children to educational exhibits. Undergraduate student members and volunteers who participate in the Insect Expo obtain valuable experience and ideas for helping young students gain an appreciation for the world of insects.

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology has received a series of grants from "Minority Access to Research Careers" (MARC), a federally funded program to increase the number of minority biomedical scientists nationwide. The federation sponsors faculty/student pairs from minority institutions to conduct experimental research at prominent research institutions during the summer months. It also coordinates a "Visiting Scientist Program for Minority Students," whereby distinguished scientists spend a few days at minority institutions to provide instruction and promote research careers among undergraduates.

Dedicated to undergraduate research and education, the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience offers travel awards to outstanding neuroscience students who are presenting their research at the annual meetings of the Society for Neuroscience. Likewise, the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience hosts an undergraduate poster session for student researchers at its annual meeting. It also coordinates an online placement service, whereby undergraduates seeking summer research positions or educational opportunities in neuroscience can post information about themselves for faculty searching for summer undergraduate researchers.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology Society offers student grants that are intended for independent study, internships, or tuition for additional course work.

Sigma Xi offers grants-in-aid of research to advanced undergraduates to support original investigations in any scientific field.

The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology sponsors annual scholarships for undergraduate students. These provide financial support for the students to attend courses or conduct research at biological field stations.