Final preparations

As training week approaches, I am busy scheduling rooms for training week and the symposium, booking and confirming speakers, and reserving vans for the field trip. In the coming weeks, I will post lecture notes for both SEM and FIB. It might be helpful to review them but not necessary.

REU Participants: Please let me know if you have any questions (transportation, stipends, schedule, etc.).

Even if you are not a 2009 REU participant, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Have a great weekend! The Rose Festival is underway: Check out all the great activities.

Four NEW mentors join program

Four new faculty mentors joined our program this year. Information about the new projects are highlighted in this week's post. These mentors will work with the ten students participating in this year's REU program. Additionally, two Saturday Academy students involved with the ASE program and one Johnson Scholar from Oregon State University will join REU students.

Professor Sarah Eppley
Ecology and evolution of angiosperms and bryophytes: Current research is centered on investigating 1) the ecological consequences of combined versus separate sexes and sex ratio variation in plants and 2) the interactions between environmental stress and breeding systems in the survival and maintenance of plant populations. Understanding the role of stress, particularly extreme environmental stress, in the ecology and evolution of plant species is critical to our ability to protect rare and endangered plant species and to predict the impacts of climate change on plant communities. Researchers in the lab are using an array of ecological, physiological, and molecular tools to address questions in these areas.

Professor Andrea Goforth
Research in the Goforth laboratory is directed toward the advancement of the field of bionanotechnology by the development of novel, nanometer sized inorganic imaging agents. The primary research efforts are three-fold: 1) optimization of the inorganic core structure for maximal imaging property (e.g., maximal quantum yield and suitable emission characteristics for fluorescence imaging, maximal magnetic moment for magnetic resonance imaging, or maximal X-ray scattering power for computed tomography X-ray imaging), 2) development of surface-tailored inorganic particles for specific targeting and imaging of biological processes, and 3) synthesis of less toxic imaging agents for non-invasive in vivo imaging. Current research efforts are focused on development of fluorescent silicon nanoparticles and bimodal fluorescent/magnetic nanoparticle systems targeted to the cell surface protein 4 1 integrin, believed to be involved in cell-cell adhesion interactions in the formation of new blood vessels and in cancer metathesis.

Professor Rajendra Solanki
Biosensor Research: Dr. Solanki's group has a broad program on developming electrical sensors to detect a wide range of bio-molecules that are responsible for diseases ranging from Celiac to certain kinds of cancer. The REU student will be assigned to engineer DNA (aptamers) or proteins (antibodies) to recognize the presence of a target analyte responsible for one of our target diseases. This work will involve handling of bio-molecules and interfacing them with the sensor, characterization of bio-molecular activity using standard techniques such as ELISA and finally testing the response of the electrical bio-sensor.

Professor Catherine deRivera
Limits to and consequences of biological invasions and how ecological factors affect mating behaviors and reproductive success: She also is interested in the intersection between behavior and invasions. For example, she plans to test whether successful non-native species are more behaviorally plastic than their less successful counterparts or native species. Her research projects, discussed here, can be further developed in multiple ways, and aspects of each are ideal for local research with students.

Application process closed

NOTE: This post serves as official notification that the 2009 REU program at Portland State has selected and received confirmation from all students selected to participate.

We received over 150 applications this year and only accept eight to twelve students on average. Please check back fall 2009 for information about the 2010 program. We apologize for not being able to notify each student individually, but due to the large number of applications, we believe posting up-to-date information about the application process better serves all applicants.

Thank you for your interest in our program. We look forward to receiving your application next year!

Notice

NOTE: All students who were accepted into the 2009 REU program have been notified. Due to the large number of applications, this post serves as an official notice that the application process is now complete.

I would like to thank everyone for their interest in our program. We received over 150 applications this year. Everyone exemplified extreme motivation and talent, which made the review process very difficult.

After weeks of review, we have selected and received acceptance notifications from nearly all students offered. We are in the process of recruiting an additional faculty mentor in an attempt to serve more students. Check back next week about this opportunity.

Thank you again for all your effort. Keep checking the website and blog for updated information. Please consider applying again next year. Information about the 2010 program will be posted fall 2009. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.