msu canr undergraduate research

Cancer Biology and Immune Cell Function

The overall goals of Cancer Biology and Immune Cell Function research at Michigan State University is to examine the molecular mechanism of cancer with a focus on cancer cell signaling, cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism both in cancer cells and immune cells. A deeper understanding of the interaction between the host immune system and malignant tumors will allow for new and innovative ways to treat cancer.

Cancer Genetics

The overall goals of Cancer Genetics research at Michigan State University are to use cutting edge technology, big data, and computational approaches to identify genes and signaling pathways important in cancer.

Cancer Imaging and Early Detection

The overall goals of Cancer Imaging and Early Detection research at Michigan State University is to develop novel imaging-based approaches for early detection of cancer, to improve imaging technologies for improved treatment responses, and develop new non-invasive, image-based tumor biomarkers.

Experimental Therapeutics

The overall goals of Experimental Therapeutics research at Michigan State University are to identify novel molecular targets for cancer, focus on drug development, and foster interaction between basic, translational, and clinical scientists. Spartans will develop innovative and effective anti-cancer therapies.

Cancer Control

The overall goals of Cancer Control research at Michigan State University are to understand the environmental, genetic, and psychological underlying cancer (etiology, risk, prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis).

Cancer Types

Office of Admissions

Undergraduate research changes lives. 

For a growing number of Spartans, undergraduate research is a defining experience in their college career. Hands-on research enhances learning and critical thinking, empowers students to apply new knowledge to their studies and helps them prepare for graduation and beyond. 

MSU is a national leader in undergraduate research opportunities, where students can collaborate with world-renowned researchers. Hundreds of individual and group research options are available at MSU in every college and offer unique opportunities for faculty-student collaboration on in-depth academic projects, all while students experience learning in exciting new ways.

Dive deeper into undergraduate research opportunities

• Education abroad
• Honors programs
• Entrepreneurship programs
• Living-learning communities
• Residential College in the Arts and Humanities
• James Madison College
• Lyman Briggs College
• Academic support

Teaching and Learning Success Strategies

College specific student support resources, services, and initiatives, agriculture and natural resources.

Getting Started at MSU : https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/getting-started/

Study and Test Tips : https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/getting-started/study-test

Snacks for Success : Students who are experiencing Food Insecurity issues (during finals and at any time of the semester) are encouraged to reach out to Dorcia Chaison [email protected] for coordination of support and assistance

The You Belong Here Initiative : Supports a culture where every member of the College of Ag and Nat Resources feels valued, supported, inspired https://www.canr.msu.edu/diversity/you-belong-here-canr/index

Registered Student Organizations/Clubs : https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/student_organizations/

Construction Management Education and Research Laboratory is available for construction management students and the Student Builders and Contractor Association to use for ‘hands on’ construction activities. Lab equipment can be checked out and used for ‘out of lab’ work; contact Jennifer Knowles ( [email protected] ) to schedule or coordinate check out: https://www.canr.msu.edu/spdc/programs/construction_management/construction-management-education-and-research-lab

Broad College of Business

Business Exploration Series : https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/advising/msu-business-focused-majors/

Broad Collaborative Learning Sessions are hosted virtually in partnership with the Collaborative Learning Center https://nssc.msu.edu/clc/academicsuccessskills/workshopschedule.html

Multicultural Business Programs (MBP) : Learn about virtual professional and career student support. https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/opportunities/mbp/success-academy/

Suitable - Broad360 Student Engagement Platform  — students newly admitted to the Broad College of Business earn badges as they complete activities related to major exploration and career networking; contact Dean Speier-Pero for details ( [email protected] )

Broad Undergraduate Admissions Information Sessions : https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/

Virtual Business Library Services include remote access to our extensive online collections as well as online reference and research support https://lib.msu.edu/bus/

Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Burgess Institute offers support resources and services for both the Minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation (open to all majors) as well as for students interested in Venture Creation and exploring business ideas. Contact Desireé Melfi Bozzo, [email protected] , via https://calendly.com/desireemelfibozzo .

Communication Arts and Sciences

Street Teams are interdisciplinary groups of students that partner with local nonprofit organizations and assist them with media projects http://comartsci.msu.edu/streetteam

Virtual Webinar Series – all students are welcome. Topics include: Surviving and Thriving with College Online, Effective Study Strategies for Online Courses, other College of Education major specific topics https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/Surviving+and+Thriving+with+College+Online/1_9ad66vwz

Emergency Fund for students is available; contact Terah Chambers [email protected]

Engineering

Women in Engineering https://www.egr.msu.edu/wie/

Diversity Programs Office https://www.egr.msu.edu/dpo/

Honors College

Fireside Chats : faculty partners offer individual events with special topics for groups of 10-15 first year students to ease the transition to our learning community https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/index.html

First Year Council : incoming first-year students meet weekly to complete leadership development https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/first-year-council.html

HC IMPACT is a service-learning program for incoming first-year Honors College students https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/hc-impact.html

Academic Scholars Program is designed for incoming first-year students with strong academic records who are seeking enriched academic opportunities in the first year of college https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/academic-scholars-program.html

Honors Leadership Conference is a mini conference for first-year students; contact Bess German [email protected] or Kristin Janka [email protected]

Honors Giving Back Awards : The Honors College encourages students to reflect on and share their experiences working in their communities. https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/service-contest-and-colloquium.html

Student Organizations : To learn more about Honors College student organizations and activities, students should explore the group pages at https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/student-organizations.html

First Fridays : Monthly drop-in advising/social period hosted for first-year Academic Scholars Program (ASP) students and first-year first-generation Honors College (HC) students https://honorscollege.msu.edu/admissions/first-generation-honors-association.html

James Madison

Through the Field Experience program, students move beyond the formal classroom to test and apply their abilities in professional settings https://jmc.msu.edu/current-students/field-experience.php

Virtual International Leadership Program:   https://jmc.msu.edu/current-students/international-internships.php

Lyman Briggs

Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULA) are peer mentors with experience navigating the complexities of university life. Students are encouraged to reach out to their ULA for help (if applicable) or for advice; contact: Dr. Isaac Record, Director of Experiential Learning, Lyman Briggs College, [email protected] https://lbc.msu.edu/the-briggs-experience/undergraduate-learning-assistants.html

Virtual Education Abroad and Away informational sessions  https://jmc.msu.edu/current-students/field-experience/international-internships.html

Listening and Support Information : resources that College of Music students faculty and staff may access https://www.music.msu.edu/listening-support

Musicians Wellness : Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) appointments at the MSU College of Music, the general maintenance of hearing, vocal and musculoskeletal health, and injury prevention. https://www.music.msu.edu/musicians-wellness

Additional student support resources and services are available at: https://www.music.msu.edu/information-for-students  and College of Music website https://www.music.msu.edu

Natural Science

Student Success Resources Webpage offers individual student success advising appointments. Contact: Sue Stoltzfus [email protected] ; https://natsci.msu.edu/students/current-students/student-success-resources/

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources : includes information on student rights and responsibilities, university-wide support resources for students, and student organizations related to identify groups. https://natsci.msu.edu/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/resources/student-resources/

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program : on/off campus resources available to students, including free public Wi-Fi maps: https://bld.natsci.msu.edu/students/student-resources/ ; internship and research opportunities in Biomedical Laboratory Science https://bld.natsci.msu.edu/students/internship-research-opportunities/

Online Override Request for courses with full enrollment https://physiology.natsci.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-in-physiology/course-override-information/

College of Natural Science Undergraduate Emergency Assistance Fund :  https://natsci.msu.edu/students/current-students/undergraduate/emergency-assistance-fund/

List of Campus Resources : a team of College of Nursing advisors is ready to help students make the most of their academic and clinical experiences https://nursing.msu.edu/student-resources/resources

ACCESS Program provides financial and educational support to motivated high school students who are admitted to MSU as a pre-nursing student. https://nursing.msu.edu/undergraduate/special-programs/access-education

Nurse Scholar Program gives high-achieving high school students the opportunity to earn conditional admission into the college straight out of high school. https://nursing.msu.edu/undergraduate/special-programs/nurse-scholar

Social Science

D2L Community for Human Capital & Society Students : information about the major & experiential learning, MSU resources, and career support information https://hrlr.msu.edu/

Video Series : Global Urban Studies Program offers a video series that can be used while learning remotely https://gusp.msu.edu/Journal-of-Urban-Affairs/index.html

Veterinary Medicine

Financial Aid and Scholarships : https://michiganstate.sharepoint.com/sites/MSU-CVM/SitePages/Students/Financial-Aid-and-Scholarships.aspx

Veterinary Medicine House System promotes student success and builds community within the college: https://cvm.msu.edu/students/get-involved

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources │ College of Engineering Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering

Bae researchers receive canr excellence in research awards.

September 26, 2023

Three Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Researchers (BAE) were recently honored with CANR Excellence in Research Awards, sponsored by AgBioResearch.

• Established (Mid-Career) Researcher Award: Individuals with 5 or more years of total research experience (not including graduate research or post doc). Preference to those researchers with > 5 years of research experience at MSU/CANR.

Pouyan Nejadhashemi

Impact Award (Co-Sponsored by ABR and MSUE) Research project (individual or team collaboration) that has made an outstanding impact in the external stakeholder community. BAE Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair, Jade Mitchell and BAE Research Assistant, Ryan Julien were members of the recipient team.

Project Title: SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology-Wastewater Evaluation and Reporting (SEWERS) Network

Team: Joan Rose, Erin Dreelin, Nishita D'Souza, Matthew Flood, Rebecca Ives, Jade Mitchell, Ryan Julien, Mackenzie DeRaad, Lydia Arbaugh, Xijiao Wang, Spencer Kuehn, Simran Singh, Alex Tran, Corrine Caponigro, Emily Zak, Melissa Downs, Sarah Holmes

CANR Excellence in Research Awards Program

The CANR Excellence in Research Award program recognizes the outstanding contributions of CANR researchers to the research mission of Michigan State University (MSU). In particular, the awards focus on the impact that their achievements have had on academic and/or external stakeholder communities. This program is also intended to support the nomination of CANR faculty for further MSU, national, and international recognitions.

Types of Awards (Eligibility):

• Early Career Researcher Award: Individuals with less than 5 years research experience (not including graduate research or post doc)
• Research Fellow (Career) Award: Individuals with 15 or more years of total research experience (not including graduate research or post doc). Preference to those with >10 years of research experience at MSU/CANR.
• Impact Award (Co-Sponsored by ABR and MSUE): Research project (individual or team collaboration) that has made an outstanding impact in the external stakeholder community.

Individuals nominated for these awards must be current CANR faculty (tenure system or fixed term) or academic specialists that have a majority of their academic appointment within CANR.

Ideal candidates for the CANR Excellence in Research Awards will have:

• Evidence of dedication to research through experimentation and discovery and implementation of innovative techniques that contribute to research scholarship.
• Evidence of excellence in research as demonstrated impact in scholarly outputs (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, competitive grant funding, conference presentations, and awards).
• Evidence of excellence in research as demonstrated by impact in academic (e.g., citations, Google Scholar H-index, innovative research methods, other relevant metrics,) and/or in external stakeholder communities (e.g., changes in policy or behavior/practice, quantified benefits such as economic, social, and environmental).

Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations (including self-nominations) that document the criteria above. Please note that nominators must work with nominees in the preparation of the application package. Each academic unit is limited to one nomination per award type per year, with nominations submitted by department or unit chairs.

Award recipients will be recognized each year. Fellow, Established, and Early Career Researcher Award recipients may only receive each award once. The award review committee will strongly favor those nominations for individuals that have not previously received MSU, national, or international recognitions for their research.

Award Information courtesy of MSU AgBioResearch

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Below you will find answers to questions that students often ask about undergraduate research at Michigan State.  If you don't see your question below, please email us  and we'll try our best to answer it.

What is undergraduate research and creative activity?

Broadly defined, undergraduate research includes scholarly, creative, and artistic activities that lead to new knowledge, improve problem solving capabilities, offer original or historical theory and interpretation, and/or produce art or creative performances. A collaborative effort between students and their research mentors, undergraduate research and creative activities are interactive, discovery-based experiences that teach and engage students about the numerous components involved in the research and creative process. Research and creative opportunities occur in and outside of the formal curriculum.

Students may work on a smaller portion of a faculty member's research or conduct their own research under the guidance of a faculty member.  It's essential that undergraduate researchers have a mentor–whether it's a faculty member, graduate student, or another staff member.  You need someone to help guide you through the various steps and phases of research and creative activity.

How do I get involved with a research project on campus?

There are several ways to become involved with research...

• Talk to a faculty member who teaches a class that you enjoy. 
• Make an appointment to discuss his/her research and inquire if there is an opportunity for you to assist. 
• Visit Handshake , Michigan State’s career development website to browse or search for research opportunities.
• Academic advisors are outstanding resources who are often familiar with faculty who regularly work with undergraduate researchers.

I’m interested in a certain topic, but can’t find it on Handshake (MSU’s career development website). What can I do?

• Talk with a faculty member in a class that you enjoyed and would be interested in researching that subject more in-depth. Faculty often are excited to hear about your interests and can share research opportunities they or their faculty colleagues may have now or in the future. 
• Search MSU Scholars , a website that highlights the publications of MSU researchers. Use the search feature in the upper right corner to search by topic - enter something that interests you and see who has published work about it.

How do I approach a faculty member?

Remember, faculty members are humans, too. You shouldn’t be intimidated by them, but you need to do your homework ahead of time. Before you meet to discuss research possibilities, consider the following suggestions:

• What did you enjoy about the class that the faculty member taught? What aspects of the subject are you interested in learning more about?
• Try to find out about the faculty’s member research agenda. Check to see if they have a website that discusses their research and try to learn about the topic.
• Find a journal article that that faculty member has written and read it.  You might not understand everything, but it will provide a better idea of what the faculty member has studied.  Plus, it shows that you have taken some initiative and are interested in research.
• Analyze your own strengths and areas you want to gain experience in. Be prepared to explain why you would be an ideal research assistant and what you can contribute and learn from the experience.
• Now, you are ready to set up a meeting.

When is the best time to get involved in a research project?

That answer varies based on your previous experience, academic ability, and coursework. Some students find opportunities as soon as they enter college, while others need a year or two to figure out their major or interest area and develop the skills necessary to conduct research. It’s never too early to begin looking. Initially, you may not be qualified for a position, but you can learn about the qualifications needed so you can prepare yourself for a research experience in the future.

How much time is involved?

The time commitment depends on a lot of different factors—your course load, class schedule, and your role in the research. During the academic year, some students may spend up to 10 hours a week on a project. If a student is receiving academic credit for participating, she/he may need to dedicate more time for the research. Summer research often requires more time.

Can I get paid for doing research?

Yes and no. Many research positions provide a stipend (or salary), other research opportunities are given academic credit (e.g., part of class, independent study), and some are done on a volunteer basis. For some positions, you may need to volunteer for a semester and then you might get paid in subsequent semesters if you demonstrate the necessary dedication and abilities.

What is UURAF?

UURAF is short for University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (pronounced: you-raf ). It’s an opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase their original research and creative activity. Students present a poster and/or give oral presentations in a conference setting and receive feedback from faculty judges. Monetary awards are given to students in each category. Participation in UURAF increases every year.  If you're not a presenter, consider stopping by and just walking through the different poster rooms. You'll be amazed at what your peers are studying and learning.

What is Mid-SURE?

Mid-SURE is short for Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences. It provides an opportunity for students involved in research and creative activities at Michigan State and select institutions to share their work with their peers, faculty, and external audiences. Students present a poster presentation in a conference setting and receive feedback from peers and evaluators. If you're not a presenter, consider stopping by and just walking through the different poster sessions. You'll be amazed at what your peers are studying and learning.

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Center for Intelligent Water Resources Engineering

• BE 849: Quantitative Human Health Risk Modeling and Analysis for Microbial Stressors
• BE 881: Ecohydrology
• ECE 846: Multi-Criterion Optimization and Decision-Making
• BE 449: Human Health Risk Analysis for Engineering Controls
• BE 481: Water Resources Systems Analysis and Modeling
• A. Pouyan Nejadhashemi
• Phanikumar Mantha
• Yadu Pokhrel
• Ehsan Ghane
• Narendra N. Das
• Kalyanmoy Deb
• Pang-Ning Tan
• Ecohydrology
• Hydrodynamic Modeling
• Watershed Modeling
• Groundwater Modeling
• Crop Modeling
• Remote Sensing
• Core Members
• Affiliate members
• Collaborators

The Center for Intelligent Water Resources Engineering uses advanced and cutting-edge technologies to address new challenges facing water resources in the 21st century. We consider both human and natural resources of water to address emerging problems using an approach that balances conservation and usage.

MSU researcher receives USDA grant to develop improved drainage systems for farms

Narendra Das

Former NASA scientist Narendra Das joined MSU as an assistant professor in the departments of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering in November 2020. His research focuses on remote sensing, hydrology and crop modeling. 

Learn more . 

• Call us: (517) 355-1855
• Contact Information
• Privacy Policy
• Site Accessibility
• Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
• Visit: msu.edu
• MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Spartans Will.
• © Michigan State University

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Academics

Undergraduate research.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ( CANR) offers funding for students to participate in undergraduate research to increase academic engagement, intellectual inquiry and practical learning.

These funds are part of the Undergraduate Research Program (URP) for students whose primary major is within the CANR only.

We’re looking for highly motivated, inquisitive, committed and self-disciplined students with a drive to succeed.

Increase your understanding of your field, gain real-world experience and prepare for your future career by working closely with a faculty mentor and graduate students.

Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding

Application Review Cycles are as follows:

Summer and Fall Applications: Students and mentors submit the requested materials during the preceding spring semester. The committee reviews the materials during the spring semester. We notify applicants of their status for funding by the end of the spring semester, for summer applications, and in August for fall applications. For example, summer and fall 2028 applications are submitted and reviewed during the spring semester of 2028.

Spring Applications: Students and mentors submit the requested materials during the preceding fall semester. The committee reviews the materials during the fall semester and notifies applicants of their status by the end of that semester. For example, for spring 2028, applications are submitted and reviewed during the fall semester of 2027.

Undergraduate Research Program Funding Request Application.

Skill Development

Undergraduate research offers you an opportunity to broaden your employment opportunities, strengthen your application to graduate school or explore career interests and options.

Investigation of important issues will strengthen your research, analytical, writing and speaking skills. It could also result in journal article publication or presentation at a professional meeting or conference.

Research projects can be carried out locally or internationally. Find out more by contacting Rhonda Crackel, director of CANR Education Abroad, at [email protected] .

Funding Opportunities & Eligibility

URP participants may be eligible for research funds of up to $2,000 per semester.

Awardees are eligible to receive funding once a semester, but cannot exceed two semesters.

Minimally 80 percent of the award must be used as project salary, conference/travel expenses, and/or presentation expenses. No more than 20 percent may be applied toward lab and/or field supplies.

This is a great way to substitute traditional work commitments with being paid to do research on a topic you enjoy.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate student with a primary major in CANR
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Any class level except seniors in their last semester

Contact Stratton Lee at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Travel Grants

CANR offers grants to support various travel costs for students within the college. Fill out the  CANR Undergraduate Travel Grant Requests Form for consideration. Travel grant awards normally do not exceed $500 per student.

College Information

• Departments
• Chairs & Directors
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• Academic & Student Affairs
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Offices & Units
• Faculty & Staff

Students & Families

• Future Students
• Areas of Study
• College Visits
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• Institute of Agricultural Technology
• Graduate Programs
• Career Services
• MSU Together We Will
• MSU Policies & Procedures
• Sexual Assault & Relationship Misconduct Resources
• Hiring CANR Students (Employers)
• Extension Programs

Reports & Publications

• In the Field: CANR Magazine
• Project GREEEN Annual Report
• Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture Report
• Legislative Reports: MSU Extension, AgBioResearch

College of Social Science

Scholarships & grants.

There is money available to help students pay for school and fund research! Here's a look at some scholarships and other opportunities available now.

Scholarship Spotlights

Our Social Science students tell us how scholarships made a difference.

WATCH VIDEOS

  Scholarships by Unit

https://clstudies.msu.edu/phd/index.html

https://cj.msu.edu/undergraduates/scholarships.html

http://econ.msu.edu/undergraduate/scholarships.php

https://espp.msu.edu/research/student-funding.html

https://geo.msu.edu/student-resources/funding.html

Undergraduate: https://history.msu.edu/awards/

Graduate: https://history.msu.edu/graduate-awards/

https://hdfs.msu.edu/undergraduate/scholarships/academic

http://ippsr.msu.edu/political-leadership/daniel-rosenthal-legislative-intern-award

https://ids.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

https://polisci.msu.edu/undergraduate/scholarships.html

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work: https://socialwork.msu.edu/BASW/scholarships.html

Master of Social Work: https://socialwork.msu.edu/MSW/scholarships.html

Undergraduate: https://sociology.msu.edu/undergraduate/funding.html

Graduate: https://sociology.msu.edu/graduate/support.html

https://www.canr.msu.edu/spdc/student_services/scholarships

College-wide Scholarships

Henderson family award for the study of slavery.

Who qualifies: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all majors within MSU College of Social Science.

How much: $2,000 plus up to $10,000 in expenses if the research requires travel to a destination (archive, library, historical site, etc.)

How it can be used: Undergraduate Research

Applications are due March 8, 2024

The College of Social Science and Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences request applications from graduate or undergraduate students in good standing to conduct research that enables the recipient of the award to create a dataset centered on enslaved Africans or individuals of African descent. The recipient will work closely with the Principal Investigators on the project Enslaved.org ( www.enslaved.org ) and will produce a dataset for submission to and possible publication in the Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation ( jsdp.enslaved.org ). The recipient will also present their research project to the MSU Black Alumni Association.

To apply, please submit a statement of up to two single-spaced pages detailing your qualifications for the award, ideas you have for a database including the primary sources from which information would be extracted, and reason for applying. Please consider the Enslaved.org Statement of Ethics when discussing your approach to a database: https://enslaved.org/statementofEthics/ .

A committee comprised of the Principal Investigators on Enslaved.org will make the award in consultation with the Michigan State University Black Alumni Association.

Deadline for applications: March 8, 2024.

Amount of Award: $2000 plus up to $10,000 in expenses if the research requires travel to a destination (archive, library, historical site, etc.). Applicants should submit a short draft travel budget, if they are requesting one. Decisions about travel expenses will be made by Matrix.

Contact Dr. Walter Hawthorne with questions: [email protected]

Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative (Fall 2023) 

Who qualifies: Undergraduates with a 2.0 GPA or better.

How much: Up to $2,000

How it can be used: Undergraduate research

Proposals are due October 2, 2023

Provost Undergraduate Research Initiative – Call for Fall 2023 Applications

The College of Social Science has renewed funding for the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative program in the College of Social Science (CSS-PURI) for Fall 2023-Spring 2024.  This program supports undergraduate research through awards of up to $1,000 per semester (up to $2,000 per academic year) per student.

The CSS-PURI program provides talented undergraduates, from first-year students to seniors, with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on substantial research projects—usually, but not exclusively, as part of the faculty member’s own scholarly project.  Student researchers report that their experiences have been transformative, enabling them to integrate and apply the knowledge, methods, and skills they have learned in new and challenging environments outside the classroom.  Many have delivered conference papers, shared authorship of published articles, or presented work at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) based on the research they have conducted as part of this program. 

The College requests CSS-PURI proposals from faculty who wish to participate in this program.  Student researchers have usually worked either one-on-one with a faculty member or as members of a research team involving faculty and graduate students.  Both models are acceptable. The College will also consider funding innovative approaches to undergraduate research, including unit or multi-unit research training programs for first-year students or projects attached to study away or study abroad programs.

Proposals are due on Monday, October 2, 2023.   Decisions will be taken by October 13th.

Faculty proposals must include the following information and must be submitted through a form on the CSS website. Late proposals will be considered if funding is available.

Find application materials here: http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/ . 

Faculty must submit using the online form system . 

Elements of the application must include:

Completed application form.

A statement about the research project, its stage in development, and the specific research tasks to be assigned to the undergraduate researcher(s) . This statement must include the beginning and end date of each student’s involvement in the project and a description of the final research product to be delivered by each student.  We require students to present their research at UURAF (with waivers of this requirement in exceptional circumstances).  A commitment to UURAF should be evident in the application.

• A statement of student learning outcomes and how those outcomes will be assessed by the faculty mentor.

Budget Proposal. A budget that states precisely how the funds will be spent (see below for guidelines).  It is important to comply with these guidelines.

The name(s) of the student(s) selected, if available at the time of submission. If your proposal involves more than one student conducting their own project, include both students on the proposal and collect emails acknowledging participation from both students. For individual student projects, the limit is two students per faculty mentor. It is not necessary to submit separate applications for each student in these cases. Note that student duties and learning outcomes must be specified for each student researcher individually.  We will also consider proposals that do not name particular students but are designed to give a group of students shared research project experience. If it is an unnamed group, we will be contacting you at a later time for student information and signatures. Please indicate the estimated number of students in the proposal.  Proposals that name up to two  specific undergraduates who have agreed to participate in the program will be given priority . 

BUDGET GUIDELINES :

CSS-PURI funds may be allocated as follows:

Stipend or travel for undergraduate research must make up at least 80% of the total budget. Since there are other funds available to support travel (see below ), we ask that applications minimize travel costs to the extent possible.

• No more than 20% can be used for supplies/equipment related to the research.

The sponsoring department or school will be responsible for the administration of funds, including ensuring proper allocation and expenditure. As in past years, PURI awards require unit matching of 25%. So an award that is for the maximum amount of $2,000 for fall and spring will require a $500 match from the unit.

The College of Social Science and the Office of Undergraduate Research have separate travel funds available to student researchers . Student researchers are eligible to apply. Travel funds require unit matching, and the College also provides matching funds.  

Note that for the past several years, Summer PURI funds were available, with an application process in late Spring, so do not include Summer requests in this round of proposals.

PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT:

The budget for PURI is limited and the awards are made on a competitive basis. Proposals will be ranked based on

The extent to which projects meet the purpose of the program, which is to help undergraduate students develop advanced research skills in the social, economic, and behavioral sciences that they will apply as advanced undergraduates, in their careers, or in graduate or professional school.

How much faculty are involved as mentors in helping students understand the nature of research in a field, its application and significance within scholarship or the professions, and the importance of ethical practice in the research.

The extent to which students have the opportunity to demonstrate the accomplishment of the learning goals during the work phase of the project, in their presentations at UURAF, and after their involvement in the project.

How clear and appropriate the learning goals are. The goals might vary with the level research experience of the student and could include demonstrating

mastery of key technologies, techniques, or methods relevant to research within the discipline;

ethical research practices;

the ability to analyze, interpret, or synthesize evidence gathered through primary and secondary research;

the ability to present or write research results for scholarly or professional audiences.

ELIGIBILITY : 

Faculty must hold an appointment (including joint appointments) in the College of Social Science.  Student researchers must be enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable, additional majors are not) with a 2.0 GPA or better.  Priority will be given to students who have not graduated before, or will not graduate during, the PURI funding period. The research can be conducted at MSU, in the USA, or internationally. Team projects that include multiple faculty, graduate students or undergraduates are eligible for consideration, and faculty can propose to fund more than one undergraduate under this program.  However, the specific duties, research products, and learning outcomes must be stated for each student researcher individually.

REPORTING & PROGRAM ASSESSMENT DUE APRIL 21, 2023:

CSS and the Office of the Provost require reporting and assessment. Every year it is a challenge to get these reports, so please mark your calendars . Each faculty and student participant must submit a written report to the Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs detailing the research outcomes for the project, an assessment of student learning outcomes (proposed and achieved), and the expenditure of funds (the latter provided by the faculty member).  Please ask your student researcher to submit her/his report to you and then forward both to me as a package.  

By April 12, 2024, the following information should be submitted to my office:

• Name of student(s) supported (no PID numbers).

Detailed information on expenditures (a required reporting form will be supplied).

• Scholarships and stipends
• Supplies and equipment

Conference registration and travel

• Assessment of the student’s achievement of learning objectives and an overall evaluation of the student’s contribution to the advancement of the research.
• Any presentations, abstracts or publications arising from the research (including citations if applicable and including anticipated conference presentations and publications).
• Other indicators of quality.

A 250-word report from the student , summarizing his/her accomplishments and reflecting on the competencies he/she gained from the experience.

Contact Emily Durbin, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, 432-3598 or email to [email protected] . 

Proposals are due on Monday, October 2, 2023

Decisions will be taken by Friday, October 13, 2023

End of year reports will be due on April 12, 2024

Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative (Summer 2024) 

How much: Up to $1,500

Proposals are due March 15, 2024

The College of Social Science has funding for the Summer College of Social Science Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (CSS-PURI).  This program supports summer undergraduate research with awards of up to $1,500 per student. Students supported by PURI Awards must be currently enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable) with at least a 2.0 GPA.  

The CSS-PURI program provides talented undergraduate majors in the College of Social Science with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects.  Student researchers report that their experiences have been transformative.  Summer PURI funded students are required to present their work at the 2024 MID-SURE event on 24 July 2024 ( https://urca.msu.edu/mid-sure ) or at the 2025 UURAF.

The College requests CSS-PURI proposals from faculty who wish to participate in this program.  Student researchers have usually worked either one-on-one with a faculty member or as members of a research team involving faculty and graduate students.  Both models are acceptable, but the maximum size of an undergraduate group working with a faculty member as part of a summer PURI award is two (2) students.  However, the maximum awarded to any project is $3,000 (including the unit match).

Proposals are due on Friday, March 15, 2024.

 Faculty proposals must be submitted through the online form system on the CSS website. 

Faculty must submit using the online form system . If the project involves more than one student, submit a separate application for each student (one application per student participant). Indicate on each application that this is a multi-student project.      

 Elements of the application must include:

• A summary of the research project and the specific research tasks to be assigned to the undergraduate researcher(s) . This summary must include the beginning and end date of each student’s involvement in the project and a description of the final research product to be delivered by each student.  Students are required to present their research at MID-SURE or UURAF so this commitment should be explicit in the application.
• Budget Proposal. A budget that states precisely how the funds will be spent (see below for guidelines).
• The name(s) of the student researcher(s). Proposals that name one or more specific undergraduates who have agreed to participate will be given priority . If your proposal involves more than one student, please submit separate forms for each student. Name both students in the narrative, and collect emails acknowledging participation from all students. Student duties and learning outcomes must be specified for each student researcher.
• Stipends for undergraduate research must make up at least 80% of the total budget

The sponsoring department or school will be responsible for the administration of funds, including ensuring proper allocation and expenditure. As in past years, Summer CSS-PURI awards require unit matching of 50% .  Thus, an award that is for the maximum amount of $1,500 will require a $750 match from the unit.  Please make sure to discuss funding with your Chair/Director prior to submitting a proposal .

Awards are made on a competitive basis. Proposals will be ranked based on:

• The extent to which projects help undergraduate majors in the College of Social Science develop advanced research skills.
• How strongly faculty are involved in the projects as research mentors.
• The clarity and appropriateness of the learning goals for undergraduate researchers.
• The likelihood that projects will generate impactful MID-SURE/UURAF presentations.

Student researchers must be currently enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable) with a 2.0 GPA or better.  Faculty must hold an appointment (including joint appointments) in the College of Social Science. Priority will be given to students who will not graduate before December of 2023. Team projects that include multiple undergraduate researchers are eligible for consideration. However, the specific duties, research products, and learning outcomes must be stated for each student researcher individually.

REPORTING & PROGRAM ASSESSMENT DUE AUGUST 16, 2024:

The CSS and the Office of the Provost require reporting and assessment. Every year it is a challenge to get these reports, so please mark your calendars . Each faculty and student participant must submit a written report to the Associate Dean of

Academic & Student Affairs detailing the research outcomes for the project, an assessment of student learning outcomes (proposed and achieved), and the

expenditure of funds (the latter provided by the faculty member).  Please ask your student researcher to submit their report to you and then forward both as a package.  

By August 16, 2024, the following information should be submitted to our office:

• A 250-word report from the student , summarizing their accomplishments and reflecting on the competencies gained from the experience.

For more information, contact:

Emily Durbin Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Psychology College of Social Science Berkey Hall Phone: 517-355-6673 [email protected]

Dean's Assistantship

Who qualifies: A Social Science junior or senior.

How much: $5,600-$5,800 stipend, working an average of 10 hours per week

How you will benefit: O pportunity to have an enriched independent research experience in the social sciences with a faculty mentor.

Deadline to apply is February 11, 2024

Eligibility

Students with a primary or secondary major in the College of Social Science are eligible to be nominated for a Dean’s Assistantship. Juniors and seniors are eligible. The proposed research project normally will be an independent research project in which the student is the primary investigator. However, students who have primary responsibility for a discrete portion of a faculty member’s larger research project may submit proposals. All student researchers must have a faculty sponsor who has agreed to serve as a mentor for the period of the assistantship.

Nominations

Students who are interested in a Dean’s Assistantship are encouraged to contact faculty to propose projects, refine the research plan, and collaborate on the nomination and application processes. Faculty and advisers also are urged to approach highly-qualified students to suggest nomination for this competitive assistantship.

The chair or director solicits nominations for the Dean’s Assistantship from faculty. Nominees must then submit an application for the program to the chair or director. The application must include a research proposal, resume, and a letter of support from a faculty sponsor [the letter must express the faculty member’s commitment to mentor the student during her/his research experience]. The research product or outcome—and the form in which it will be submitted—must be specified in the proposal. The chair or director should only forward nominees to the College who submit a research proposal that promises to make a substantial contribution to the scholarship in the field and which can be completed within one academic year. The role of the faculty sponsor must be clearly established, including mentorship, oversight, ownership of research products, authorships, and other relevant details. The chair or director is responsible for oversight of the student researcher and the faculty sponsor.

The student researcher must meet as per agreement with her/his faculty sponsor, provide bi-weekly reports to the faculty sponsor (including time spent on the project), and deliver all research products as scheduled. Furthermore, a dean’s assistant must apply to present her/his research findings at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) in the spring of the academic year in which the award is granted. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in forfeiture of the student’s assistantship. Students who leave the College of Social Science during the period of the assistantship will thereby forfeit their assistantship.

Faculty sponsors are expected to serve as mentors throughout the duration of the assistantship. They are responsible for monitoring research progress, aiding students in resolving research problems, providing advice on appropriate methods, regulations, and ethics in conducting research, reviewing research products, and maintaining records of student work.

The student researcher and faculty sponsor are required to submit a report to the chair or director at the end of the assistantship. The chair or director will review the report and forward it to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs for review. Chairs and directors should return inadequate reports to the author for revision and resubmission.

Both student researchers and faculty sponsors should contact the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school to resolve disagreements or to report potential violations of University policies. Chairs and directors will consult with the Associate Dean for Academic and Student affairs when such issues cannot be resolved at the unit level.

The student researcher is required to provide the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs with notification of the publication, presentation, or recognition of research sponsored by the dean’s assistantship program.

The student researcher is required to send a letter of acceptance to the Associate Dean of the College of Social Science, upon notification of the assistantship award.

For Students: Preparing the Application

A student who has been nominated for a Dean's Assistantship must submit an 8-part application to the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school. The application will consist of a completed application form; a resume; a one-page abstract; an introduction that includes a clear statement of the hypothesis to be tested; a description of the methodology to be employed; a discussion ofthe outcomes and future application of the research; a bibliography; and a letter of support from the faculty sponsor. The application should not exceed 10 double-space pages [12 pt. font], excluding the faculty sponsor letter of support.

Although there is no rigid format for the proposal, the guidelines below shoud be useful. You may deviate from them where you believe an alternate format will provide a clearer and more convincing presentation of your ideas and plans.

Application Form

The Dean’s Assistantship application form is now available online.  All parts must be completed to upload into application.

Abstract - A brief overview of your project helps to orient the Committee to what will follow. One page is sufficient. Provide a brief statement of the background or context in which your research is set, a statement of the hypothesis (or hypotheses) which you will test, the experiment or project which you will carry out to evaluate the hypothesis, and the way in which the data or evidence will be examined in order to evaluate the hypothesis. Finally, include a brief statement about the scholarly significance of your research. VIEW EXAMPLE

Introduction  - The introduction should be a review of the scholarship related to your proposed research. Although the final written report of your project should include a scholarly review of relevant literature, the literature review in the proposal is usually far less comprehensive. The introduction should also make the case for the significance of the problem.

Methodology  - The methods section should describe the methods you will use to gather data or evidence. A rule of thumb is to include everything that someone else would need to know to replicate your work. If some decisions about the details of the methodology will depend upon work that you will carry out early in the project, be sure to discuss those decisions and how you will go about making them. Finally, acknowledge any rules regarding research with humans or animals with which your research must and will comply, including compliance with MSU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.

Outcomes - State the specific research product(s) that you will submit to your faculty sponsor at the end of the assistantship [usually an article-length paper, but other formats are acceptable upon approval]. Explain the potential significance of the work, what future research or publications you anticipate will result from it, and whether you believe it will stimulate further scholarly inquiry within your field.

Bibliography - List the references that you cited or consulted to prepare your proposal.

Resume  - Copy of most recent resume.

Letter of Recommendation  - The role of the faculty sponsor is critical to the success of your project. Although you are expected to take primary responsibility for carrying out your project, it is inevitable that the wisdom, expertise, and resources of your faculty research sponsor will be called upon frequently as you proceed with your work. Although there is not necessarily a “best” model for the arrangement between student and sponsor to ensure appropriate faculty involvement, in most cases students should expect to have significant contact with their sponsor at least bi-weekly. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the College Scholarship Committee require evidence of that degree of commitment from your faculty research sponsor. This should include a specific statement of contact hours between student and faculty and a detailed statement of the form and frequency of reports and delivery of written work. The committee also wants to know your sponsor’s appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses, and his/her opinion of your ability to carry out the project that you have proposed.

Note: Submission of an application for a Dean’s Assistantship authorizes the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs to access your student academic records.

Dean’s Assistantships provide support for one academic year as an Undergraduate Assistant with a stipend of approximately $5000 - $5600. The Assistantship is a quarter time appointment, meaning that students are being compensated at a rate that implies an average of approximately ten hours per week spent on the project.

For students who have financial aid packages, this appointment may change the composition of your aid package. Please contact Financial Aid for more information.

The number of proposals funded will depend in part upon the number and quality of the applications.

Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship

Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who have indicated an interest in promoting civility in public discourse, specifically in the space of public policy, will be eligible for this award.

How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition, scholarly research, community outreach and engagement, conference attendance, and/or trainings in the public sector.

How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement a commitment to promoting civility and dialogue in the space of public policy and governance and how they plan to apply the knowledge, skills, and methods they have learned in their everyday lives to advance the impact of civility outside of the classroom.

Deadline to apply is November 15, 2023

Go for the Green - Paul Pradel Financial Literacy Ambassador Scholarship Program

Who qualifies: Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and able to receive scholarship distribution in the spring term 2024

How much: Five (5) awardees, up to $1,500

How to apply: Details listed below

Deadline to apply is October 27, 2023, 5:00 pm Send all materials to Dr. Erica Tobe at  [email protected]

• Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on October 27 th
• Applicants will be notified by 5:00 p.m. EST on or before November 10 th

Award Features

Five winners will receive a scholarship at the end of the Fall Semester 2023 for use in Spring 2024. There are two award categories for submission for this scholarship program:

Virtual Advertising Campaign: Top two submissions from category will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Why Financial Literacy? Campaign: Top two submissions from the category will receive a $750 scholarship. A third honorable mention awardee will receive a $500 scholarship.

Eligibility and Criteria

Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and able to receive scholarship distribution in the spring term 2024 (after the winners are announced and officially contacted).

Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered (e.g., missing, or un-matched criteria).

Award recipients must submit a letter of acceptance and thank you within two weeks of notification to receive the award. Letters should be addressed to the Go for the Green committee and alumni donor, Mr. Paul Pradel. The letters will be submitted to the committee by Erica Tobe at [email protected] .

Depending on the amount and type of an applicants’ financial aid package, this award scholarship may change the aid package. If selected as a scholarship recipient, it is the student’s responsibility to investigate whether the award will adversely affect their financial aid.

Submission Requirements

Submissions are due by 5:00pm EST on October 27th . Scholarship applicants will be notified by 5:00pm EST on or before November 10th . Five winners will be selected in total.

Applicants can compete in one (or both*) of the following categories:  

Create a Virtual Advertising campaign that highlights the importance of and availability of financial literacy initiatives on MSU’s campus.

The campaign must highlight (at a minimum):

Go for the Green yearly free seminars. To view a listing of the previous seminars, please review the Go for the Green website .

Current Human Development and Family Studies courses focused on financial literacy:

HDFS 138: Introduction to Financial Literacy

HDFS 238: Personal Finance

HDFS 438: Applied Resources Management Practicum

HDFS 454: Family Resource Management

College of Social Science Resource Management Minor for the Individual, Family, and Society

https://reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/ProgramDetail.aspx?Program=RMIFS_MNUN

The virtual advertising campaign should include a variety of mediums such as: a logo, short video clips (for use on social media), graphics, news articles, or others. Be thorough and creative. Campaign should include:

The importance of financial literacy for college students

The offerings available under the Go for the Green campaign (see above)

The reason. Explain why MSU (Michigan State University) students should take advantage of and learn about financial literacy.

Submissions must include how best to market this campaign to students (e.g., email, in class presentations, social media). Strategies for marketing must be included in your proposal and answer the question - “What is the best way to disseminate the information you created?”

If a video is incorporated into the final submission, you must include the words “Go for the Green” to promote MSU’s Go for the Green financial literacy initiatives and direct students to the website.

All submissions must include quality content and appropriate application of the concepts.

Completed submissions should be emailed to Dr. Tobe at [email protected] by October 27th at 5 p.m. EST. If use of video occurs, video submissions should be uploaded first to MSU Media Space (with permissions set to unlisted) and include a shareable link in an email to Dr. Tobe ( [email protected] ).

By submitting an entry to this competition, you are giving the MSU College of Social Science and MSU HDFS faculty and staff permission to use your submission to promote personal finance initiatives.

Create a “Why Financial Literacy?” video that identifies and describes, at minimum, one reason financial literacy is important and three financial literacy tips for MSU students!

The maximum length of the video is 3 minutes.

The video should adequately address one reason financial literacy is important, three financial literacy tips, and appropriately apply any related financial literacy concepts and topics in the submission. Significant weight will be placed on entries that include high quality content and appropriate application of the concepts.

Need to brush up on your financial literacy skills prior to submission? – Check out: 40 Money Tips Every College Student Should Know (Source: National Endowment for Financial Education)

Submission should include the words “Go for the Green” in the video to promote MSU’s Go for the Green financial literacy initiatives and direct students to the link for more information.

Video submissions should be uploaded to MSU Media Space (with permissions set to unlisted) and the shareable link should be emailed to Dr. Erica Tobe at [email protected] by October 27th at 5:00 p.m. EST.

*If submitting to both contests the applications must be distinct and follow the directions and considerations outlined for each contest. Copied submissions will not be considered.

Point of Contact

Ebert family leadership scholarship fund.

Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science with financial need who have indicated an interest in a career in non-profit and/or Non-Government Organizations (NGO) will be eligible for this award.

How much: $2,000

How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a short essay on the impact of women leadership within the non-profit or NGO sector. Additionally, state how their specific life experience relates to their career goals, aspirations, and how one day they may pay it forward.

Deadline to apply is April 10, 2023, 5:00 pm Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at  [email protected]

Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund

Who qualifies: Undergraduate students engaging in experiential learning (e.g., study away/aboard, internships). Preference will be given to students who are engaged with the Women’s Leadership Institute.

How much: Three (3) awardees, up to $5,000

How you will benefit: Opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women.

How to apply: Applicants will be asked to submit the following: 1) a short essay (500 words or less) on how you plan to utilize the experiential learning experience to research and/or gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women, 2) current resume, and 3) cover letter.

Deadline to apply is March 31, 2023, 5:00 pm Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at  [email protected]

The Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund was created with the help of Anita Khushalani, a 1987 graduate of MSU and a member of the WLI executive board. This gift was created to enhance experiential learning opportunities, specifically study abroad, study away or internship programs that will allow students to deepen their knowledge of the critical issues surrounding women’s leadership.

Khushalani has previously given back to the College of Social Science with the establishment of the Dr. Sarla Devidas Khushalani Memorial Scholarship, named after her late mother, in August 2021. Amanda Talbot, Director of the Women's Leadership Institute, hopes that this new fund will serve to promote equity and expand opportunities for young women leaders with the help and support of the WLI.

Busby Social Science Support Fund

Thanks to a generous gift funded by MSU Social Science alumna, Michelle Busby, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Busby Social Science Support Fund. This gift was established by Ms. Busby to assist students with demonstrated financial need and/or disadvantaged or non-traditional circumstances.

Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who are residents of Detroit and who are eligible to participate in federal need-based programs, such as Pell Grant-eligible students. Preference will be given to students pursuing a major or minor in pre-law.

How much: Two (2) awardees, $1,000 each

How it can be used: Tuition

Deadline to apply has been extended to March 22, 2024

Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award

Who qualifies: Any MSU student of any major/year who is participating in a public policy internship.

How much:  $1000+ awarded each semester

Deadline to apply is TBA

Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship

Who qualifies:  Social Science undergraduate with a minimum of 60 credits.

How much:  varied

How it can be used: Research project costs

Students who are interested in the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship are encouraged to contact faculty to propose projects, refine the research plan, and collaborate on the nomination and application processes. Faculty and advisers also are urged to approach highly-qualified students to suggest nomination for this competitive fellowship.

• The chair or director, according to unit guidelines, solicits nominations for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship from faculty. Nominees must then submit an application for the program to the chair or director. The application must include a research proposal, curriculum vita, and a letter of support from a faculty sponsor [the letter must express the faculty member’s commitment to mentor the student during her/his research experience]. The research product or outcome—and the form in which it will be submitted—must be specified in the proposal. The chair or director should only forward nominees to the College who submit a research proposal that promises to make a substantial contribution to the scholarship in the field and which can be completed within one academic year. The role of the faculty sponsor must be clearly established, including mentorship, oversight, ownership of research products, authorships, and other relevant details. The chair or director is responsible for oversight of the student researcher and the faculty sponsor.  
• The student researcher must meet as per agreement with her/his faculty sponsor, provide bi-weekly reports to the faculty sponsor (including time spent on the project), and deliver all research products as scheduled. Furthermore, an undergraduate fellowship must apply to present her/his research findings at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) in the spring of the academic year in which the award is granted. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in forfeiture of the student’s fellowship. Students who leave the College of Social Science during the period of the fellowship will thereby forfeit their fellowship.  
• Faculty sponsors are expected to serve as mentors throughout the duration of the fellowship. They are responsible for monitoring research progress, aiding students in resolving research problems, providing advice on appropriate methods, regulations, and ethics in conducting research, reviewing research products, and maintaining records of student work.  
• The student researcher and faculty sponsor are required to submit a report to the chair or director at the end of the fellowship. The chair or director will review the report and forward it to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs for consideration. Chairs and directors should return inadequate reports to the author for revision and resubmission.  
• Both student researchers and faculty sponsors should contact the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school to resolve disagreements or to report potential violations of University policies. Chairs and directors will consult with the Associate Dean for Academic and Student affairs when such issues cannot be resolved at the unit level.  
• The student researcher is required to provide the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs with notification of the publication, presentation, or recognition of research sponsored by the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship program.  
• The student researcher is required send a letter of acceptance to the Dean of the College of Social Science upon notification of the fellowship award.

A student who has been nominated for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship must submit an 8-part application to the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school. The application will consist of a completed application form; a c.v.; a one-page abstract; an introduction that includes a clear statement of the hypothesis to be tested; a description of the methodology to be employed; a discussion of the outcomes and future application of the research; a bibliography; and a letter of support from the faculty sponsor. The application should not exceed 10 double-space pages [12 pt. font], excluding the faculty sponsor letter of support.

Although there is no rigid format for the proposal, the guidelines below should be useful. You may deviate from them where you believe an alternate format will provide a clearer and more convincing presentation of your ideas and plans.

Application form

The Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship application form is now available online.   All 7 parts must be completed to upload into application.

Abstract -  A brief overview of your project helps to orient the Research Committee to what will follow. One page is sufficient. Provide a brief statement of the background or context in which your research is set, a statement of the hypothesis (or hypotheses) which you will test, the experiment or project which you will carry out to evaluate the hypothesis, and the way in which the data or evidence will be examined in order to evaluate the hypothesis. Finally, include a brief statement about the scholarly significance of your research.   NOTE: BOTH YOUR FACULTY SPONSOR AND YOUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR/DIRECTOR NEED TO SIGN YOUR ABSTRACT. VIEW EXAMPLE

Introduction -  The introduction should be a review of the scholarship related to your proposed research. Although the final written report of your project should include a scholarly review of relevant literature, the literature review in the proposal is usually less comprehensive, consisting primarily of those things which relate directly to the project. The introduction should also make the case for the significance of the problem.

Methodology -  The methods section should describe the methods you will use to gather data or evidence. A rule of thumb which usually works well is to include everything that someone else would need to know to replicate your work. If some decisions about the details of the methodology will depend upon the work which you will carry out early in the project, be sure to discuss those decisions and how you will go about making them. Finally, acknowledge any rules regarding research with humans or animals with which your research must and will comply, including compliance with MSU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.

Outcomes -  State the specific research product(s) that you will submit to your faculty sponsor at the end of the fellowship [usually an article-length paper, but other formats are acceptable upon approval].  Explain the potential significance of the work, what future research or publications you anticipate will result from it, and whether you believe it will stimulate further scholarly inquiry within your field.

Bibliography -  List the references which you cited or consulted to prepare your proposal.

Curriculum Vita -  Copy of most recent c.v.

Letter of Recommendation -  The role of the faculty sponsor is critical to the success of your project. Although you are expected to take primary responsibility for carrying out your project, it is inevitable that the wisdom, expertise, and resources of your faculty research sponsor will be called upon frequently as you proceed with your work. Although there is not necessarily a “best” model for the arrangement between student and sponsor to ensure appropriate faculty involvement, in most cases students should expect to have significant contact with their sponsor at least weekly. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the College Scholarship Committee require evidence of that degree of commitment from your faculty research sponsor. This should include a specific statement of contact hours between student and faculty and a detailed statement of the form and frequency of reports and delivery of written work. The committee also wishes to know your sponsor’s appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses, and his/her opinion of your ability to carry out the project which you have proposed.

Note:   Submission of an application for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship authorizes the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs to access your student academic records.

Andrew Undergraduate Fellows shall undertake and complete a research project under the direction and supervision of a College of Social Science faculty member. Awards may provide support for the legitimate costs associated with the conduct of the Andrew Fellow’s research such as library searches, the construction and dissemination of surveys, computer time, and related expenses appropriate to one specific research project. Andrew Fellows will also receive cash awards upon successful completion of their research.

Ernest G. and Phyllis C. Green MSU Black Alumni Scholarships

Who qualifies:  Social Science entering fresman, freshman, sophomore or junior with a 3.0 GPA or better.

Leigh Ann and Christian Schultz Scholarship

Who qualifies: Any Social Science major, with preference to those who attended public schools in Flint, Saginaw, or Detroit, with additional preference given to any such student who is on active or reserve duty, or is a veteran, of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard.

Charles Hayden Kelley Scholarships

Who qualifies:  Freshman, sophmore, or junior social science students who may not qualify for financial aid. Preference given to students from single parent households.

Richard B. Gerisch Scholarship

Who qualifies:  Social Science students majoring in Political Science or Interdisciplinary Studies, preparing for careers in public policy.  Must be juniors in the Spring Semester of award year.

Deadline to apply is March 8, 2024

George and Alice Goetz Scholarship

Who qualifies:  Social Science major who is an a ctive duty service member or Veteran of the US Armed Forces.

About the Scholarship: The values of the "Greatest Generation"; hard work, dedication to learning, prudent management, love of family and country, and responsibility to service were exemplified by George A and Alice E Goetz, members of this storied group and in whose name his scholarship has been established.

Cynthia H. Fates Endowment in Social Science

Who qualifies:  Any student majoring in Social Science.

How it can be used: Any experience-based learning program cost.

Requirements:

Open to students in good standing who are majors in the College of Social Science undertaking experience-based learning in the form of an unpaid internship, education abroad program, study away program, or service learning program in summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025.

Up to $1,000

Send a one to two page statement about why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Cynthia H. Fates Scholarship would enable your participation to do so. Make sure you state what program you will enroll in and why you have chosen that program. Include the dates of the program. Deadline: February 11, 2024.

Henderson Experiential Learning Award

Who qualifies: Students majoring in Social Science who will undertake experiential learning (study abroad, study away, or internship) in summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025. Preference is given to Veterans of the US Armed Forces.

How it can be used: Experiential learning opportunities to students which include, but are not limited to, civic engagement and service learning, undergraduate research, study abroad and internships.

Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship

Thanks to a generous endowment funded by MSU Social Science alumnus Edwin Adler and his wife Gretchen, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship.

The Adlers gave this gift in furtherance of the continuing MSU commitment to lead in international education and study abroad.

Additional Study Abroad and Study Away Scholarships

Visit the experiential learning scholarships page to view a list of opportunities available.

Current Students

Specialist - Outreach-Continuing

Job no: 962671 Position type: Faculty/Academic Staff Location: East Lansing Division/Equivalent: Msu Agbioresearch School/Unit: Abr Directors Office 40001207 Categories: Agriculture, Research/Scientific, Continuing System Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union, Remote-Friendly

Position Summary

The Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Business (BUS) Natural Science (CNS), and AgBioResearch (ABR) at Michigan State University (MSU) invite applications for a full time, 12-month, Academic Specialist-Outreach in the continuing system with a 15% teaching, 80% outreach, 5% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 1, 2024.

The global food system, sustainability, and supply chain management have each converged to critical inflection points presenting unique and complex challenges. CANR, BUS, CNS and ABR collectively can be a foundational platform for MSU to lead the needed multi-disciplinary approaches addressing the growing sustainability-related challenges faced by society.  While we have a significant foundation of faculty talent and expertise to lead in this area, we lack the necessary leader and facilitator with the established connections and perspective from the private sector to help attract necessary funding and facilitate success and desired impact in research efforts and academic programs.

The successful candidate will contribute 80% of their time to outreach and work as a convener to work collaboratively with faculty leaders in the three colleges and ABR to 1) bring a unique “fluency” to amplify the value proposition to the corporate sector, commodity groups and federal and state agencies by helping translate/bridge existing and new research and data to actionable strategies for various audiences, 2) leverage their extensive external network to broaden MSU’s reach and influence research directions, funding opportunities pursued and outreach strategies, 3) provide a new business-based perspective and mindset to gather external input critical to enhance and enrich curriculums to develop the next generation workforce and practitioners in response to external stakeholder needs, and 4) facilitate internal and external relationships and partnerships leaning on extensive experience managing and facilitating various multi-industry collaborations leading to new funding streams and research and educational opportunities.  This novel partnership across the three colleges and ABR will enable MSU to become “the benchmark” as the omnichannel source of actionable research for business, developer of transformational collaborative models and the producer of the needed problem solvers of the future.

The successful candidate will also devote 15% of their time to undergraduate and (or) graduate teaching via contributing invited lectures on supply chain sustainability in relevant courses in CANR, BUS and (or) CNS.  Future development and delivery of new coursework in supply chain sustainability is encouraged.

The successful candidate will also devote 5% of their time to service including, but not limited to 1) working closely with college advancement offices in particular engaging with the Capital Campaign, 2) working with communications teams in CANR, BUS, CNS, and ABR to facilitate internal and external communication of sustainability strategies, outcomes and impacts and facilitate translation of academic discoveries to management in corporate sector and 3) providing input to the Sustainability at MSU program.

The selected candidate will be appointed in ABR and report to the Director of ABR with close relationship and input from the Deans of CANR, BUS and CNS.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Business Administration

Minimum Requirements

Master’s of Business Administration or business-related discipline or relevant master’s degree in related field and at least 10 years of corporate experience in mid- to upper-management level position(s).  Experience leading the advancement of sustainability objectives within corporate industry.

Desired Qualifications

Established extensive corporate connections especially in sustainability.   Prior classroom instructional experience in sustainability in university setting.

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: 1) a letter of application (2 pages maximum) describing your interests, background, and professional experience to match the position description, b) current resume or curriculum vitae, c) a description of how you will contribute to a culture of belonging through this position (2 page maximum), and d) contact information for three-five professional references.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of Applications Begins On

Remote work statement.

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/research/

Department Statement

CANR, BUS, CNS, and ABR are committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity.  MSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  We are interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Jun 26 2024 Eastern Daylight Time Application close: Jun 26 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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Specialist - Outreach-Continuing in East Lansing

The Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Business (BUS) Natural Science (CNS), and AgBioResearch (ABR) at Michigan State University (MSU) invite applications for a full time, 12-month, Academic Specialist-Outreach specializing in Supply Chain Sustainability. This position is in the academic specialist continuing system with a 15% teaching, 80% outreach, 5% service assignment.

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College of Engineering

July 11, 2024

Inspiring a New Generation of Engineers

Semiconductor camp introduced new career possibilities.

The Michigan State University College of Engineering offered new summer camps  for K-12 students in 2024.

One pilot project was a Semiconductor Camp, which was run by Nelson Sepulveda , professor and interim chair of the MSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering .

This free residential camp was made possible through a $148,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded to MSU in 2023.

The six-day experience helped incoming ninth graders learn about semiconductors – a fundamental component of everyday electronics. Students saw firsthand how semiconductors can conduct or block electrical currents in modern devices and circuits and how they are used in a wide range of applications found in everything from mobile devices, televisions, cars, sensors and more.

Student teams rotated between a classroom and a cleanroom. They assembled circuits in the classroom and fabricated a micrometer sized sensor in the cleanroom using optical lithography. During their final two days, each team integrated the fabricated microsensor with the circuit they have built in the classroom and created various systems.

“Over the course of this camp, we saw many students become interested in careers involving semiconductors,” said Sepulveda. “At a minimum, I hope that this camp gave them a clearer understanding of what they may want to pursue for a career.”

Sepulveda said participants in next year’s Semiconductor Camp will be incoming 11th grade students.

To read more on camps hosted by MSU Engineering, visit: summer programs .

Written by Maggie Dillon, a student writer and public relations assistant in the MSU College of Engineering Marketing and Communications office.

College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page

MSU Extension Grapes

Michigan grape scouting report – july 10, 2024.

Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar <[email protected]> , Mike Reinke <[email protected]> , Paolo Sabbatini <[email protected]> , Rufus Isaacs <[email protected]> , Timothy Miles <[email protected]> , Cheyenne Sloan <[email protected]> , Derek Plotkowski <[email protected]> and Karen Chou <[email protected]> , Michigan State University Extension ; and Derrick Vogel, Folklor Wine and Cider - July 10, 2024

Stay informed and ahead of the curve with the latest vineyard updates and best practices in our comprehensive report. Enhance your grape growing success by leveraging expert insights on vine growth, disease management and innovative tools.

Weather    

Click the following links for detailed seven-day forecasts for various grape production regions.   

Southwest  

• Benton Harbor    
• Fennville    
• Lawton    

Southeast  

• Romeo    

Northwest  

• Old Mission    
• Petoskey    
• Traverse City    

See the latest agricultural weather outlook  from Jeff Andresen, Michigan State University state climatologist.   

Check out the Michigan State University Enviroweather Growing Degree Days (GDD) Michigan map . Find your closest weather station, create an account on the website, and track GDDs daily.

Report on growing degree days (GDD)

The following table summarizes the GDD base 50 degrees Fahrenheit for the current week and the previous week, as well as the accumulated GDD for each location.   

Vine growth  

Southwest michigan  .

Clusters in southwest Michigan are expanding rapidly with the recent warm weather and good soil moisture. Bunch closure on Vignoles has been observed in southwest Michigan vineyards, and canopy development is advancing.

Northern Michigan  

Northern Michigan's vineyards have concluded bloom in all varieties. Grapes are in the fruit set stage, and clusters are expanding. Shoots have grown above the last set of catch wires, and canopy management practices (e.g., canopy topping and hedging) will be needed in the next few weeks.

Tip of the Mitt region  

In the Tip of the Mitt region, most hybrid cultivars are in the pea-sized berry stage of development. Vinifera grapes have finally finished the fruit-set stage of development. Shoot growth is to the point in which tucking or positioning is required. Leaf removal will begin this week. Rose chafer populations have diminished while Japanese beetle populations are increasing.

See this chart for grape growth stages .  

Horticulture  

Vineyard hedging is set to commence soon in Michigan, aiming to achieve several key objectives. The primary focus is on curtailing excessive primary and lateral shoot growth on the canopy's top and sides to prevent shading and entanglement between vine rows. By doing so, the vineyard becomes more accessible for workers and tractors. Interestingly, hedging also stimulates growth by promoting lateral shoot development in vigorous vines, despite the reduction of the canopy due to the removal of primary and lateral shoots. Michigan State University Extension recommends hedging during the early to mid-summer period. Ideally, hedging is carried out between fruit set and veraison. This timing is crucial as it ensures adequate exposure of leaves, fruit and developing buds to sufficient light, especially in dense canopies of hybrid cultivars with excessive vegetative growth. To avoid potential issues, it is essential to refrain from hedging too early in the growing season, as it may lead to increased lateral growth and canopy density.

Additionally, some juice grape vineyards have reported instances of over-cropping. Effective crop load management plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired brix level. An excellent tool to assess crop load is the Michigan State University Concord grape model on Enviroweather . Conducting cluster thinning at 1,200 GDD is recommended.

Diseases  

During this time of the year, the primary diseases of concern for grape growers are phomopsis , black rot , anthracnose and powdery mildew . If you're seeking detailed insights into pre-bloom fungicide options and the effects of rain on disease spread, refer to a  grape scouting report  from earlier or explore an article on  early-season disease management . It's worth noting that some growers have recently observed isolated cases of downy mildew infections in northern vineyards. Southern vineyards have been seeing early infections of Phomopsis and are beginning to see black rot lesions. Powdery mildew symptoms are becoming more apparent, so vineyards should be scouted to check on the status of diseases.

With the exception of powdery mildew, these spring disease infections typically require rain events. It only takes 0.1 inches of rain above 50 F to trigger a possible infection. Viticultural practices that reduce canopy wetness such as good irrigation timing, leaf removal and good weed management can reduce many of these diseases in a vineyard. Typically, DMIs (FRAC 3), captan and EBDCs (FRAC M3) are effective for Phomopsis, black rot and anthracnose. 

Insects    

A second site in Michigan has been found with live spotted lanternfly, as announced by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development last week. The site is in southern Monroe County just north of Toledo, Ohio, and is not near fruit agriculture. Michigan State University is working with a network of agencies monitoring sites across the state, and these include multiple vineyard locations. Growers can help out by staying vigilant for these invasive insects and reporting any suspect detections to the Department of Natural Resource’s  Eyes In The Field .    

Grape berry moth larvae can be found in grape clusters in southwest Michigan vineyards, especially those with low cropload that have not been treated with insecticide yet. Scouting vineyards along the edges and into blocks can quickly show whether your locations also have activity of grape berry moth larvae currently, and what stage of development they are at. Some insects develop more slowly when it is extremely hot, but we don’t yet know how to adapt the grape berry moth model for extreme heat days, so it has been accumulating heat units quickly during this warm spring.

The second generation of grape berry moth is underway in southwest Michigan vineyards, earlier than usual. Based on the conditions in your region and the vineyard cropload, consider the need for repeat applications during this period to protect clusters from grape berry moth. Products with extended activity and those with performance under high heat and sunlight conditions should be considered given this year’s weather and the extended egglaying from berry moth during the summer.  

This week during visits to vineyards in southwest and northwest vineyards, there was evidence of Japanese beetle feeding, grape berry moth larvae and phylloxera galling on hybrid vine leaves (southwest region). In the northwest region, we observed rose chafer, potato leafhopper nymphs, lacewings and ladybeetles. Even if a vineyard isn’t being harvested, we recommend continued scouting for these insects to observe what is present and at what levels. Neonicotinoid insecticides such as Assail and Admire Pro can provide protection against leafhoppers, beetles and tumid gallmaker if present in the same vineyard site. 

SAM Tool for vineyard management     

The Sustainable Agricultural Management (SAM) Tool is a comprehensive software application designed to assist grape growers in managing vineyards more effectively. Please  sign up to access the SAM Tool . The application is developed by Karen Chou of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension in collaboration with MSU’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Dennis Phillips is the lead software developer.   

The application offers a range of features designed to save time and enhance vineyard management efforts. It employs robust data security and accuracy measures and can be used for mapping sub-fields, generating auto-populated spray records, and issuing warnings about the consecutive use of the same pesticides to minimize the development of pesticide-resistant pests.   

Additionally, the app displays your spray tasks on a calendar and helps to identify restricted entry fields and manage preharvest sprays using the restricted-entry interval and preharvest interval databases. It also facilitates task assignments, sends task reminders for managers and workers, and allows the upload of photos and scouting notes directly from the field, which can be viewed later within the application.   

You can also help the Michigan Wine Collaborative pilot the Michigan Vine Balance Workbook, a sustainability certification program, through the website. Please  fill out this brief survey  to answer one question and enter your contact information for Chou to offer you personalized guidance on beginning to use this application.   

Upcoming events    

Parallel 45 Vines & Wines Pre-Veraison Meeting: Boost Grapevine Productivity .  Gain valuable insights from industry experts at our upcoming hybrid meeting on July 12. We'll focus on presentations about compost tea, biochar and organic compost from Krull's.  Don't miss out – pre-registration is required!    

The 35th annual Michigan Viticulture Field Day and inaugural Michigan Enology Experience   are approaching.  MSU’s famous field day and steak dinner is back on July 31. We are now adding a second day just for the winemakers.   

Dirt to Glass™ 2024: Elevating Michigan Wine from the Ground Up , Aug. 22-23.  Dirt to Glass aims to connect growers and producers each year and provides information to support the Michigan grape and wine industry in understanding the critical relationship between better farming and world class wine.   

As a collaboration between Michigan State University, Michigan State University Extension and industry innovators and educators, this groundbreaking event disseminates the most current research and cutting-edge practical information to elevate the grape and wine industry.   

This year's conference will continue the journey started in 2022, aiming to elevate the Michigan grape and wine industry through a deeper understanding of soil health and fertility, carbon cycle and sequestration, and soil-vine interaction, all crucial sustainability elements in producing high-quality grapes and wines from vineyard to economic sustainability. Each technical session will be complemented by wine educational sessions.   

Related articles  

• Early season vineyard management  
• Early season control of grape berry moth in Michigan vineyards for 2022  
• Rose chafer management for northwest vineyards  
• Fruit insecticide registration update for 2023   
• Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 4, 2024  
• Michigan grape scouting report - June 15, 2022      
• 2022 MSU Fruit Pest Management Guide (E-154)  
• Grape growth stages  
• Early season vineyard disease management  
• A Mobile Guide for Grape IPM Scouting in North Central and Eastern U.S.  
• Using the MSU Enviroweather grape berry moth model in 2018  

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Category: Animal and Food Sciences

Graduate student Joe Patria applies his molecular biology expertise to combat the viral evolution of Marek’s disease

July 09, 2024 Written by Nya Wynn | Photos by Jeremy Wayman

When Joe Patria first came to UD for his Ph.D. in molecular biology, he never thought he would end up doing research involving chickens. But, when he came across Mark Parcells , professor of molecular virology, and his lab, Patria ended up doing just that. 

His main interests were molecular and cell biology — how changes within them affect the overall physiology of an entire system. 

“Those contributions of everything that goes on down on a molecular level,” said Patria, who was named a Hiram Lasher Fellow. “When I met Prof. Parcells and did a rotation in his lab, I saw how it all came together by studying viruses and pathogens and how they kind of affect those pathways to cause systemic disease.” 

As a molecular biology student doing research in CANR, Patria researches the mechanisms behind Marek’s disease virus. For his work in the field, Patria won top research poster at a graduate symposium at the Wistar Institute this past February. 

Marek’s disease virus primarily causes cancer in immune cells, which usually results in fatality in chickens. It is highly contagious and transmissive, so it poses a large threat to the poultry industry. 

“With Marek’s, you put it into chickens, and if they're not vaccinated, like 95 percent of them will die of cancer within four to six weeks, so it’s an incredibly penetrant virus,” Parcells said. “Every chicken that is exposed to Marek’s in the field, carries that virus for their entire life, just like if you got chickenpox as a kid, you have that virus for your whole life.” 

To combat this extremely infectious virus, scientists developed an effective vaccine to protect chickens against it; however, the virus has evolved.

“Over the course of several decades, Marek’s disease virus has shown to break through the protection afforded by those vaccines,” Patria said. “So that is the focus of my work, and studying how the virus actually overcomes the protection from these vaccines.”

As the viruses evolve to evade vaccines, they also evolve with their hosts and learn to target areas that would be most detrimental to the host, such as DNA repair and damage response. 

“By studying how viruses evolve, to evade the host immune responses and overcome protection from vaccines, it gives us a better understanding of how we can develop improved vaccines to target those pathways that the viruses have evolved to be dependent on,” Patria said. 

Not only can Patria’s work impact the poultry industry, there is also an application to human health. Patria explained that Marek’s disease virus causes cancer of the lymphocytes, which can be compared to Hodgkins and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects humans. 

“There are a lot of parallels between chickens and humans, which you might not expect. On the basis of immunology, we are very similar,” Patria explained. “There’s some parallels there.”

According to Parcells, more than 95 percent of all humans are positive for Epstein Barr virus, another herpes virus like Marek’s disease virus.  

“When that goes latent, which it does, a small percentage of people within 20 years develop Hodgkin's lymphoma or another type of cancer associated with that virus,” Parcells said. “It’s not a high frequency, and you can’t really study it in humans.”

This is where our similarities with chickens really come into play. 

“Because Marek’s disease virus’ natural host is a chicken, we’re able to study it in its natural reservoir host, which is a unique thing that you can't really do with other viruses,” Patria said. “Especially for viruses that infect humans.”

“It's a way in which you can kind of study these different interactions with the virus in the context of something where it normally causes cancer,” Parcells added. “That may inform how things are working with the development in Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” 

Patria continues to work alongside Parcells, other graduate students, and undergraduate students in the Parcells Lab to make more discoveries in the field of molecular biology and with Marek’s disease virus specifically. 

In addition to his own development as a researcher, Patria values his opportunities to work with other graduate students and mentor UD undergraduates. 

“I hold the worth of science advocacy in high regard,” Patria said. “It was great to see that their contribution to this work has made an impact.”

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