Monday, June 3, 2013

HHMI Summer Research Programs Begin

On May 28, a 10-week journey of scientific discovery through research began for the 53 participants of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)-supported Summer Research Programs.

With the guidance of faculty mentors, four Summer Scholars from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) are formulating individualized research projects. Thirty-four Summer Researchers are working within faculty laboratories all across CMU’s campus and the Pittsburgh area. Nine rising sophomores from CMU-Pittsburgh and three students from CMU-Qatar are conducting research in groups with assistance from a team of departmental faculty members in the Summer Research Institute (SRI). Additionally, two teachers from local high schools and one biology major with an additional secondary educational certification from an outside institution are learning how research in molecular biology and biochemistry is done and how to bring the excitement for research to their classroom. All participants will present their research findings at a poster session, while a select group of ten participants will also give research talks at a final symposium on August 1.

These participants not only have the ability to conduct research throughout the summer, but also to attend professional development and social activities organized by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Carnegie Mellon-wide summer research program, Go Research!