Want to make the next great discovery?
Look no further than the Auburn Undergraduate Research Board.
Created by the SGA Cabinet to promote undergraduate research at Auburn University, its work is to create awareness of undergraduate research opportunities in STEM areas: science, technology, engineering, and math.
Co-Director of Academic Affairs for the SGA Cabinet and Director of the Board, Patrick Michael, developed the idea in response to the difficulty undergraduate students have in finding campus research opportunities.
"As a board, we hope to improve the process of getting students connected to faculty members and research projects," Michael said. "We want to serve as an intermediary between the students and professors so that the entire process of getting involved in research is less intimidating and enigmatic."
Michael understands undergraduate research is a substantial addition to a resume and can act as an enhancement of the collegiate academic experience.
"Research provides a real world application of concepts learned in the classroom and fosters an appreciation of the knowledge that we do know and the difficulty associated with expanding that knowledge," Michael said.
The Board was created for students to be administrated by students.
"This is a relatively new idea, that a group of students would try to help improve undergraduate research, so there is not a lot of precedent good or bad, but we are hopeful that the mere creation of this board will lend credibility and voice to the idea that there is enthusiasm and interest for doing undergraduate research among the student body," Michael said.
Along with a paper application, each person was interviewed. The SGA Academic Affairs Team concluded its member search this Thanksgiving. The group selected 18 students from more than 70 applicants.
"This is an incredible and unexpected turnout for a new organization involved in improving an aspect of student life that has not really been addressed by SGA or any other organization," Michael said. "The decision to take 18 members was an effect of reconciling the need for enough members to accomplish the goals we have outlined with the need to remain effective and efficient."
The majority of the members were from COSAM and the College of Engineering.
"The enthusiasm and turnout of the applicants has already elevated the cause and I think will be a very effective tool that we can bring to the administration to show the desire and need to promote research here at Auburn," Michael said.
Alex DeHaven's, junior in chemistry, applied to the program for the academic opportunity associated.
"I like research," DeHaven said. "You learn more hands-on. There's a difference between sitting in class and looking at someone write on a chalkboard three times a week as opposed to sitting in lab and doing things on the chalkboard. I like asking questions and having a mentor explain it because that way it's more inquisitive based."
Last summer DeHaven participated in a fellowship with Michael Squillacote, associate professor in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
"I've benefited from knowing about research and being involved in all that it has to offer," DeHaven said. "My professor got me involved in fellowships and I was paid for it. He's going to get me published."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
