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OUR Weekly: March 4

2024

Hi Hokies,

In this week’s newsletter:

Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Resources

1. General Resources

The OUR website has many resources to support you at any stage in your undergraduate research journey. Some pages of particular relevance:

2. Become an Ambassador for OUR!

Do you love your undergraduate research? Do you like talking about your research and helping fellow students? The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is accepting applications for its Ambassador program to start in Fall 2024. This program helps to build student leadership skills and resumes, while providing crucial service to the OUR. The OUR ambassadors help with disseminating information about undergraduate research and the OUR and facilitating key services offered by the office. Candidates can have undergraduate research experience in any discipline and must be reliable, organized, and exhibit excellent communication skills. OUR Ambassadors are required to host office hours for up to two hours per week, conduct two information session or per semester, and help at two OUR events per semester, in addition to the annual Spring Undergraduate Research symposium. Weekly commitment varies, but should average under 2 hours/week over the entire semester. Ambassadors get leadership experience, opportunities to network across campus, and a cord to wear at graduation! Applications can be found on the OUR website.

3. Mentor Award Submissions Open

Do you have a wonderful research mentor? Nominate them for the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award! Current undergraduates may nominate one VT faculty or graduate student mentor. Nominations open on December 15, 2023 and are accepted through March 14, 2024. Information on how to nominate someone are available on the Mentor Award page of the OUR website.

4. Library Liaison Undergraduate Research Resources

Amanda McDonald is the librarian for the Office of Undergraduate Research. There are many ways that she can support you, as well as some upcoming opportunities you may be interested in.  

  • Research consultations: Amanda can meet virtually with you individually or in small groups to provide a one-on-one consultation about your research (where to search, search terms) or about citation managers. Students and faculty can email me directly to schedule an appointment. 
  • Finding full text: VT Libraries has an abundance of resources available electronically; for more information on accessing full text, check out the School of Education Research Resources page. If we don’t have something, such as a journal article or book, you can request it for free via Interlibrary Loan.
  • Library workshops: The library offers many other free workshops and events throughout the semester, including many virtual options. To see a full list, visit the library's calendar page.

5. Summer Peer Mentor *Paid* Positions

Are you an undergraduate or soon-to-be recent graduate with experience conducting undergraduate research, especially during an organized summer program? Do you have excellent communication and organizational skills? Can you drive? Apply for a summer job with OUR as a Peer Mentor! Positions are up to 20 hours per week, $12-15/hr and run from May 13–July 26. More information and application are available on the OUR website. Applications are due March 15.

6. Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research Conference

Applications for the 2024 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship will open on December 15, 2023. This conference is a day-long event held at the end of each Spring semester that showcases the wide variety of research and creative scholarship taking place across Virginia Tech. The conference is April 26, 2024 in Squires. The deadline to submit is April 8, 2024. Students may also apply to be considered for several conference awards. For more information visit the Dennis Dean page on the OUR website.

7. Experiential Learning Scholarship

Applications will soon open for the Jacklyn W. and William R. Jones, Jr. Experiential Learning Scholarship, which recognizes students who engage in experiential learning opportunities. Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded annually in either Fall or Spring semester, preference is given to the student. Any VT undergraduate student may apply who is participating in guided experiential learning opportunity at Virginia Tech including, but not limited to: study abroad, unpaid internships with nonprofits or NGOs, undergraduate research opportunities, etc. Preference will be given to students whose experience combines more than one mode of experiential learning, such as research abroad. Applications open December 15, 2023 and are due March 31, 2024. More information is available on the Jones Scholarship page of the OUR website.

Virginia Tech Research Opportunities 

1. Summer Data Sciences REU

This paid summer REU program is for undergraduates (current or recent graduates) interested in solving problems with data at the interface of biology and engineering. Students will collect data and learn to make decisions from these data. Research projects will use sensor-based assets and/or computational-based assets at Virginia Tech. Students will learn to communicate effectively with fellow students, policymakers, and the public. Students will be fully integrated into participating research groups and will experience hands on research, group meetings, and close collaboration with other members of related research groups. Projects include:

  • Using an Automated Pipeline to Count Centrosomes (Cimini Lab)
  • Emission, Transport, and Deposition of Atmospheric Microplastics (Foroutan Lab)
  • Automated Turfgrass Pest Mapping using Aerial Image Analysis (McCall Lab)
  • Data-Driven Methods for Science and Engineering (Ross Lab)
  • Data Sciences in Vienna, Austria: Transport of Biological Particles in the Atmosphere (Schmale Lab)
  • Autonomous systems for specialy crops load, canopy, and disease estimations (Seyyedhasani Lab)
  • Comparative Biomechanics of Animals (Socha Lab)
  • Detection of Waterborne Contaminants (Vikesland Lab)

Application and more information can be found at the REU program website. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2024.

2. Bridge Undergraduate Research Student Grant Program

This brand new program is to increase access to Bridge undergraduate research experiences. Grants up to $3,000 each to will fund student research activities to be conducted for 6-15 weeks from now through June 30, 2024. Students may use funds to support mentored research they are already engaged in or to begin a new project. Awards may be used for student wages ($15/hr), supplies, and/or travel for research activities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through May 1, 2024, or until funds run out. The application and more information can be found on the OUR website.

3. Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program Global Change Scholars

The Global Change Scholars program is a collaboration between the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) and the Global Change Center at Virginia Tech. The program provides financial assistance to undergraduate students from the U.S. who demonstrate a commitment to academics, research, and community stewardship. Undergraduate Scholars conduct research with Global Change Center faculty. Awards range from $750–$1500 and the deadline to apply for the 2024-25 academic year is April 15, 2024. More information and application details can be found on the GCC website.

4. Summer Research with VT Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Three undergraduate research assistant positions are available in the lab of Dr. Yuan Zeng, Southern Piedmont AREC (CALS), in Summer 2024 to assist commodity board-funded research, which focuses on the development of a spatiotemporal model of fungal pathogens in field crops, including soybean, corn, and tobacco. The selected candidates may also assist in the project that determines the pathobiome of soilborne pathogens in field crops. For more information and to apply see the Handshake position listing (job ID #8608304). Applications are due March 15, 2024.

5. Summer Research in the Structural Engineering Laboratory

Up to 5 summer research assistant positions are available at the Thomas M. Murray Structural Engineering Laboratory. On-going projects at the lab this summer include ones related to reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofitting, mass timber construction, blast protection, seismic engineering, and composite construction. As a research assistant, you will be an integral member of a collaborative research team dedicated to advancing the science of the built environment. Key responsibilities include: (1) assisting in the design and construction of test specimens; (2) working with graduate students to set up instrumentation and conduct experimental load tests on structural components until failure; (3) processing instrumentation measurements, analyzing data, and documenting results for project sponsors. Candidates in engineering or construction, or even an interest in these areas, will be considered, provided they have excellent communication skills and a keen eagerness to learn and make significant contributions to experimental structural engineering. For more information on the research, check out a VT News feature on the lab. The positions are slated to start in May and run through the end of August, offering an hourly wage that is commensurate with experience. To apply or for more information, please send a brief CV and a cover letter (in the body of the email) to Dr. Eric Jacques, with the subject line “Summer 2024 Undergraduate Research Assistants” by Friday, March 15, 2023. We will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue until all positions are filled.

Conferences and Journal Submissions

1. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Student Researcher Showcase

The CCI Student Showcase event will take place March 22, 2024, at the Integrated Security Education and Research Center in the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building on the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus. Work in progress is welcome, and final results are not necessary. For more information check out the CCI sign-up page. Registration is due by March 4, 2024.

Other Opportunities

1. Pathways to Science Summer Research Programs and Scholarships in STEM

Programs and professional development resources for undergraduates, including research experiences, scholarships, and travel, are available in a searchable database at the Pathways to Science website. There are currently over 65 scholarships and fellowships posted! Many have fall deadlines, so check them out soon.

2. Project Design Studio

The Project Design Studio supports students working on long-term projects by offering space, resources, and advising. There are currently three spaces available in the studio; curricular and independent projects are welcome. To learn more or submit a proposal, see the Project Design Studio page.

3. Cyber as Service Call for Proposals

CCI seeks proposals for Cyber as a Service projects to enhance students’ skills to enter the cybersecurity workforce on graduation and benefit the local economy. Projects, performed primarily by students, should provide a cyber service to Virginia small businesses or not-for-profits in the same county as the institution of higher education. More information on the program, application requirements, and proposal submissions can be found on the Cyber Initiative website.

4. Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program

Fellowships are available to attend Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program MedTech in Toronto, Canada in October 2024. This program pairs ethnically diverse undergraduate juniors and seniors in BS programs with mentors who work at medical technology companies. An information session will be held March 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (registration required).