Union is one of a dozen colleges and universities selected to receive a 2018 Beckman Scholars Program Award.
This is the first time the College has been awarded a grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that supports basic scientific research, primarily in chemistry and life sciences.
The Beckman Scholars Program provides an in-depth, sustained undergraduate research experience for exceptionally talented students at four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. Beginning this year, students will spend two summers and a full academic year working on a research project with a faculty mentor.
The $104,000 grant will support four Union Beckman Scholars studying chemistry, biology, biochemistry or neuroscience.
The research will be conducted under the guidance of one of nine faculty mentors: Cay Anderson-Hanley (neuroscience), Mary Carroll (chemistry), Leo Fleishman (biology/neuroscience), Kristin Fox (chemistry, biochemistry), Michael Hagerman (chemistry), Joanne Kehlbeck (chemistry, biochemistry), Scott Kirkton (biology), Laura MacManus-Spencer (chemistry) and Roman Yukilevich (biology).
In addition, Beckman Scholars are expected to participate in professional or scientific meetings, establish connections through the College’s alumni network whose disciplinary expertise aligns with the scholar’s interests, and engage in structured writing exercises, such as small research grant proposals. They are also expected to attend the Beckman Scholars Symposium in Irvine, Calif.
Scholars will receive a stipend for research and funding for supplies and travel.
The deadline for students to apply is Feb. 9.
“Winning this grant reflects extremely well on the whole college, and the undergraduate research program that's been a key element of Union, because it's in part a recognition of the great work done by our student researchers and their faculty mentors over the last several years,” said Chad Orzel, director of undergraduate research.
“The resources this provides will further enhance our undergraduate research program and will be a transformative experience for the students.”
Union joins these other schools in receiving a 2018 Beckman Scholars Program Award: College of William and Mary, Haverford College, Hope College, Texas A&M University, Furman University, University of Arizona, Barnard College, Amherst College, Boston College, University of Idaho and Case Western Reserve University.