Scholar Newsletter
January 22nd, 2024
Voice of Inspiration
STEM News
NSF Grant Puts S-STEM Students on Transfer Pathways
Sixteen student scholars and eight faculty advisors make up the current S-Stem Cohort. This cohort is made possible by a grant of $850,000 awarded to Minneapolis College from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholastic and career opportunities for talented, low-income students.
Minneapolis College is in the third year of this initiative, which includes collaboration with other Higher Ed institutions. The project, “Collaborative Research: Partnership Pathways to Improve the Professional Preparation of Low-Income Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Minnesota,” at Minneapolis College is led by Director/Principal Investigator (PI), Renu Kumar, Ph.D. (Biology Faculty Member) with support from Co-PI, Carmen Buhler (Math Faculty Member).
“This collaborative project contributes to a national commitment to advance well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians. Undergraduate research and internship experiences provided in Transfer Pathways support professional development through cross-institutional partnerships and workforce development programs,” explained Program Director Renu Bhagat Kumar, Ph.D.
In addition to the financial support of $3,750 per semester, students participating in the initiative receive support from faculty mentors, academic advisors and are exposed to deeper knowledge of STEM fields, undergraduate research, and internship opportunities. Minneapolis College team members (PI Kumar, co-PI Buhler, faculty mentors and academic advisors) with support of Dean Weng developed a framework to support student scholars by engaging them in STEM related activities that moves them from mentoring to advising to facilitate transfer process.
Collaborations with other PRISM (Partner Relationships to Increase STEM Momentum) institutions (Augsburg University, Normandale and Century College) resulted in improved transfer opportunities to bachelor’s degree programs.
“Scholars in the NSF STEM scholarship blossom as they begin to see themselves in a STEM field career. Besides receiving money, each scholar is paired with a faculty mentor and is encouraged by their cohort and STEM meetings. They also can participate in undergraduate internships.,” said co-PI Carmen Buhler.
To date, 50 STEM student scholars have participated in the program at Minneapolis College. This semester there are seven new students in the program.
WHAT STEM SCHOLARS SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
“My experience with the NSF program as a STEM student has been a positive impact on continuing my education at Minneapolis College and looking at transferring to a four-year degree institution. Besides relieving the financial burden, the program has helped me with resources that positively impact my career goals. The support I get from my mentor, adviser and the NSF program directors have helped me have a positive college experience.” -Anthony Giron
“STEM has been essential in my college career. I was told by someone unsupportive to not even consider getting a PhD let alone a master's or even a bachelor's because of my disabilities. It really cut into my self-esteem to hear this from someone I had considered a good friend for years.
It was Dr. Kumar, one of the directors of our STEM program, who helped me realize I need to quit worrying about what others think and to go for it. Brian Huilman, now my mentor, helped me realize my potentials and helped me hone my energy towards something constructive long before he became my mentor." - Jill K Freivalds
“The program has helped me become more organized and focused. It also has made me care about my education and believe I can accomplish a lot as long as I continue to stay organized and focused.” - Michael Asomoah
Note: Michael is successfully transferred to Metro State University and is continuing his Baccalaureate degree.
Earlier this semester, the S-STEM team at Minneapolis College hosted the first annual STEM Transfer Pathway Workshop bringing together students, staff, and faculty from multiple institutions in support of seamless transfer for STEM students to bachelor's degree programs. Faculty mentors participated and learned practical information to help support their students in the transfer process.
Panelists from Hamline University, Augsburg University, Bemidji State University, Metro State University, and St. Cloud University provided insight into the transfer process at their respective institutions. This workshop provided a platform for scholars to interact with faculty, advisors and transfer specialists from different institutions and build community.
The NSF STEM project contributes to the national commitment to advance students in STEM studies. With much of the financial burden of education alleviated, doors are opened for these high achieving students allowing them to earn degrees and ultimately work in satisfying careers.
Note: Here is the link to the original published story on the Minneapolis College Website highlighting their PRISM Cohort.
NSF S-STEM Scholars, Fall 2023
NSF S-STEM Mentors, Fall 2023
S-STEM Events
SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING EVENTS AT AUGSBURG!
The Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Program-April 16, 2024
The featured lecturer for the annual Convocation will be Dr. Bala Chaudhary. More details to come but here is a highlight of Dr. Chaudhary at a speaking engagement in London!
Zyzzogeton "Z" Research Symposium-April 16, 2024
Hosted by URGO, McNair, and STEM Programs, Augsburg celebrates the creativity and scholarship of undergraduate students with its annual Zyzzogeton Student Research Poster symposium. The event falls at the end of each academic year and is a culmination of achievement featuring work across departments. Over 50 students participate each year, showcasing their research in various science, social science, and humanity disciplines.
A “Zyzzogeton” is a green leaf-hopper as well as the last word in the Webster Collegiate Dictionary, which is a fitting symbol to mark the end of the academic year. Zyzzogeton is free and open to all students, faculty, and staff.
STEM Opportunities
Conferences
National Society of Black Engineers 50th Annual Convention
Participants at NSBE49 in Kansas City
March 20–24, 2024 Atlanta, Georgia
The National Society of Black Engineers’ four-day convention in Atlanta will host over 15,000 attendees for celebration, networking, and personal and professional development. The convention also features a career fair with 400+ companies.
APS March Meeting: Advancing physics for 125 years
Attendees at the 2023 Meeting in Las Vegas
March 3–8, 2024 Minneapolis, Minnesota
The American Physical Society will celebrate its annual March Meeting and 125th anniversary in Minneapolis this spring. This scientific research conference brings together more than 13,000 scientists and students from around the world to network and discover the latest findings in physics. Undergraduates can also participate in Future of Physics Days. The first year of APS membership is free for undergrad and graduate students.
14th Annual St. Louis River Summit: Braiding Visions for an Enduring Future
Attendees at the 2023 Summit
March 6–8, 2024 Superior, Wisconsin
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve presents the annual St. Louis River Summit, featuring two days of presentations, networking, and field trip opportunities at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The call for abstracts is still open for students who are interested in presenting posters or artwork broadly related to the St. Louis River, estuarine research, and conservation. Here are examples of previous presentation abstracts from last year’s event.
Abstract deadline: January 30, 2024
SB3C 2024: Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference
Students at SB3C 2023
June 11–14, 2024 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
The theme of this year’s Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference is “Innovation without Borders: Uniting Ideas, Technologies, and Communities.” The meeting will feature a diverse program of events, lectures, student-centered activities, and opportunities to connect with scientists and peers.
Undergraduates can participate in the SB3C Student Paper Competition and Undergraduate Design Competition. The abstract submission deadline for undergraduates is February 16, 2024.
2024 Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium
Participants at the 2023 Symposium
April 13, 2024 Winona, Minnesota
The Winchell Symposium is a forum for undergraduates in STEM fields to showcase their scientific research and network with professionals and peers. Registration opens March 2024.
Discover Mayo Clinic College Webinars
IMAGINE A CAREER COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Whether you are a student, starting your professional life or already have a substantial career, you are invited to learn ways to have a life-changing career with Discover Mayo Clinic.
Discover Mayo Clinic provides students with the opportunity to engage with professionals through a series of webinars. The college webinars are designed to provide guidance through Mayo Clinic's application and interviewing process, along with highlight careers at Mayo Clinic that may align with a student's career aspirations.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
You will have the opportunity to speak with recruiters and hiring managers to learn about the types of roles at Mayo Clinic and how to start preparing for them. Click below to register!
NASA's Human Lander Challenge (HuLC)
Awards include $7,000 stipends per team, $18,000 in cash prizes, and a visit to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center!
Through the 2024 HuLC competition, NASA seeks near-term, innovative solutions
for Human Landing System (HLS) challenge areas... specifically addressing
the mitigation of lunar Plume-Surface Interaction (PSI).
HuLC solicits proposals for innovative, systems-level solutions that can help NASA understand, mitigate, and manage the impacts of lunar PSI - with the ability to be implemented within 3-5 years. The potential solutions could include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Trade Studies on Landing Trajectories that Minimize PSI
- Reduction / Mitigation of Erosion (Cratering) and Ejecta during Descent, Landing, and Ascent
- Development of PSI Flight Instrumentation / Measurement Methods & Concepts
- Tracking Dust During Descent, Landing, and Ascent
- Instrumentation Performance Through the Dust Cloud During Landing
- HLS Asset Safety (ejecta damage, excessive lander heating, etc.)
- PSI Modeling and Validation
Proposals are due on March 4, 2024
HuLC is open to teams of undergraduate and graduate students at accredited colleges and universities in the United States. Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are encouraged to apply. Based on a review of initial proposals received by March 2024, up to 12 teams will be selected to continue developing their proposed concepts. Each finalist team will receive a $7,000 stipend to facilitate full participation in a competitive design review at a Forum in Huntsville, Alabama in June 2024.
This is only a brief excerpt of the 2024 HuLC competition.
Please read the full, printable 2024 Challenge Guidelines by clicking the button below.
Eclipse Ambassadors
Are you an astronomy enthusiast or undergraduate student that loves eclipses? Do you have a passion for sharing the wow of space science with your community? NASA may have just the opportunity for you.
In 2023 and 2024, two eclipses will cross the United States and a new NASA-funded program, Eclipse Ambassadors Off the Path, is inviting undergraduate students and amateur astronomers to join them as “NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors”. This an opportunity to partner with NASA, provide solar viewing glasses, and share eclipse knowledge with underserved communities off the central paths.
Eclipse Ambassadors will train together virtually in one of several workshops to be offered over the next year. Eclipse Ambassador partnerships will grow together, learning new tools and techniques for explaining eclipses and engaging with the public. As NASA Partners, Eclipse Ambassadors will be recognized for their commitment to public engagement and supplied with educational materials and community connections.
Eclipse Ambassadors will:
- Partner with an undergraduate/amateur astronomer
- Take a 3-week online course (~12 hours coursework)
- Engage their communities with eclipse resources by reaching 200+ people, with at least half of those from underserved communities
NASA’s Eclipse Ambassadors Off the Path project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC22M0007 and is part of NASA's Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learners
This is an open call to to become an Eclipse Ambassador.
Graduate School and Research
The NIH-sponsored Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
Who Should Apply?
The UW-Madison PREP program is for students underrepresented in STEM who:
- are seeking doctoral graduate degrees in biomedical science
- have received their baccalaureate (4-year) degree in the past three years
- are not currently enrolled in graduate school
- want additional research experience and development
- want to conduct research at one of the 10 largest research institutions in the world
- would enjoy living somewhere with stunning lake views and a vibrant community
Benefits of UW-Madison PREP:
- Dedicated research faculty & staff support
- Research experience
- Professional development opportunities
- Individualized mentorship
- Connections to the scientific community
- Focus on your health, wellness, and belonging
- PREP Scholar annual salary
Summer Research
Through collaboration between the LS-NSSA and PRISM programs, all PRISM scholars are eligible to apply for the MNDrive summer program.
For more information, feel free to reach out to Dr. Jennifer Brookins-King at brookinj@augsburg.edu.
Students: Research Training Opportunity
Gain critical skills and experience, conduct research with a mentor, present your findings, and build your professional network.
Undergraduate students (PReP)
✓ Paid summer research experience.
✓ For students enrolled at colleges and universities in Minnesota, or with a strong connection to Minnesota, who are from an underrepresented population.
Applicants currently working with UMN/CTSI affiliated faculty mentors that would like to continue working together through the summer may also apply.
Graduate & professional students (A-PReP)
✓ Paid summer research experience.
✓ For University of Minnesota doctoral-level health sciences students and early-predoctoral students.
✓ Students from populations underrepresented in research are highly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are required to apply with the support of a proposed faculty mentor.
Get Paid to do Physics Research at the University of Maryland in Summer 2024!
Schedule a one-on-one meeting here
Application deadline: February 9, 2024
Applicants notified: Starting February 19, 2024
Program dates: June 3 to August 9, 2024
===
What's TREND?
A mentored, paid summer REU (research experience for undergraduates) in nonlinear dynamics at UMD College Park. We welcome physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering students from institutions across the country to collaborate with scientists conducting research in an wide range of topics.
===
What will I get?
- 10 weeks of mentored research experience in some of the best nonlinear dynamics labs
- Travel funds to UMD and back home
- Housing at UMD for the summer (with ~9 other TREND students)
- $5,400 stipend + $600 food allowance
- $500 for travel after the summer to present your research at a conference
- Community-building with ~9 other undergrad researchers
- Practice and mentoring with oral, visual, written and multimedia communication skills
- Outreach opportunities
===
What kind of research can I do?
Projects topics include:
- 2D materials
- Biodynamics/Cell movement
- Chaos
- Lasers
- Neural networks
- Photonics/Optoelectronics
- Plasma dynamics
- Quantum nanodevices
- Turbulence
- Underwater robot dynamics
- Weather prediction
... and more. Details here under each mentor group.
===
How do I apply?
Submit (by February 9, 2024):
- Our application form
- At least one letter of recommendation (ask each recommender to send to trend-reu@umd.edu)
- Unofficial transcript (send it to trend-reu@umd.edu)
Details here.
Discover Summer Institute in Biostatistics (SIBS) at Michigan and Columbia
NIH grant R25HL161786
Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics and Data Science at Columbia
May 28, 2024 - July 12, 2024
Apply by March 15, 2024
NIH grant R25HL147207
Big Data Summer Institute at the University of Michigan
June 17, 2024 - July 26, 2024
Apply by March 15, 2024
What is the Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science program?
The Summer Institute in Biostatistics (SIBS) and Data Science is sponsored jointly by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The comprehensive six to seven week summer training course on biostatistics and principles of data science combines classroom learning with career mentoring and hands-on data analysis using data collected from clinical studies in prevention and treatment of infectious, immune-mediated, and chronic diseases.
Designed to address a growing imbalance between the demand and supply for biostatisticians and data scientists, the course targets undergraduates and beginning graduate students who are interested in learning about biostatistics, and encourages them to consider graduate programs related to biostatistics and data science.
The typical curricula include an intensive introduction to biostatistical approaches and research by exposing participants to the principles, methodologies, uses, and applications of statistical methods in biomedical and clinical research.
Click the link for more information: Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science
Summer Research at the University of Michigan
Spend nine weeks on an intensive research project. The Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) aims to expand access and opportunity to diverse students and facilitate their preparation as a pathway to doctoral studies at the University of Michigan.
Eligibility:
- Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with DACA.
- Have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Be entering their junior or senior year in college (at a school other than the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor) and not be scheduled to graduate before December 2024.
- Have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in one of the Rackham graduate programs.
- **NOTE** Please refer to the SROP Website for important additional criteria/FULL eligibility information
Benefits:
- $5,000 Stipend (plus travel expenses)
- Housing and Meals
- Weekly Seminars and Graduate School Coaching
- Research Symposium
Program Dates: May 25 to August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: February 5, 2024
Internships
Minnesota SciTech Internship Program
SciTech connects college STEM majors to paid internships at small Minnesota companies -- it's a one-stop shop for finding STEM internships statewide! Gain hands-on experience, network with pros, build your resume, and "earn while you learn."
In order to be eligible for SciTech internships, students must meet the following criteria:
- Minnesota resident OR living in and attending college in Minnesota
- At least 18 years of age
- In good academic standing (2.5+ GPA)
- College junior or senior (at least 60 credits completed) OR
- Technical or community college student (at least 24 credits completed) OR
- Enrolled in a STEM degree at an accredited U.S. college
- Legally eligible to work in the U.S. (international students may participate if they have CPT/OPT work authorization)
Deadline to apply: Varies
For more information on how to apply and to view a list of current internship opportunities, visit https://scitechmn.org/.
More Than An Internship
Wallin's UpTurnships program provides highly motivated, underrepresented college students with paid internships and projects. Our career experiences are for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college or university.
To help students succeed in their careers, we offer two incredible UpTurnships pathways: Flagship and Projects.
UpTurnships
Flagship
Our UpTurnships Flagship provides interns with paid full-time work experience across 12 weeks in summer, professional development training, and 1:1 support from a program coach.
UpTurnships
Projects
Our UpTurnships Projects is a 10-week pathway that provides interns with a 40 hour paid work experience, weekly 2-hour professional development trainings, and 1:1 support from a program coach.
Information Sessions: Register
Information sessions are an essential part of the UpTurnships application process. Here you will learn more about the UpTurnships program model, the application process, and be able to ask any questions you have. 30-minute information sessions are hosted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Tuesdays at 10:00 AM CST
Thursdays at 4:00 PM CST
Visit our website for more information: https://www.wallinpartners.org/upturnships.html
STEM Blog
Interested in learning more about advocacy, research and how it relates to the human experience? NSF Gallery Images? Click below:
Diversity in Action January/February Issue
We’re leaping into the new year with the Harlem Globetrotters as they reach a whole new generation of fans. We also take a deep dive into the science of sleep and food sustainability, plus more in honor of Black History Month in our Jan/Feb issue. Diversity in Action January/February 2024 Issue
- NSF-supported research impacts nearly every field of science and engineering. NSF's influence reaches from the ends of the Earth to the depths of the oceans and to space and beyond. Our Multimedia Gallery has some of the most stunning images from NSF’s research legacy. We have pulled some of the most beautiful gallery images for you to use as a virtual background.
Do you have suggestions for opportunities to include in the upcoming newsletter? Feel free to forward them to stem@augsburg.edu.
Augsburg STEM Programs
Email: stem@augsburg.edu
Website: https://www.augsburg.edu/stem/
Location: 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: (612) 330-1042