University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Undergraduate Scholars in Research

University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP)

Application Information

In March 2007, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) will sponsor an exciting research opportunity for undergraduates. Participants will be involved in ongoing research projects with scientists, and will have the opportunity to attend seminars aimed at refining communication and scientific presentation skills that will serve as a foundation for graduate study.

UWEB, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (NSF ERC), has a strong commitment to undergraduate education, particularly to increasing diversity in the field of engineering. During the Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP), students will take advantage of a unique interdisciplinary research environment at the biology and engineering interface to provide high quality research experiences for undergraduates. Women, underrepresented minorities, and students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit applications.

The application deadline for this UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is January 12, 2007. Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

For more information, visit our web site at or contact:

Dr. Eric H. Chudler

UWEB Director of Education and Outreach

Box 355061

Seattle, WA 98195-5061

Voice: (206) 616-6899 Fax: (206) 616-9763

E-mail:

Janet Wilt

UWEB Undergraduate Program Coordinator

Box 355061

Seattle, WA 98195-5061

Voice: (206)221-5829 Fax: 206-616-9763

E-mail:

About University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)

Biomaterials and medical devices are widely used in humans in applications as diverse as heart valves, hip joints, pacemakers, tooth implants, drainage shunts, intraocular lenses, and heart assist devices. These devices save lives, improve the quality of life for millions, and form the basis for a strong, successful, humanitarian industry. However, these biomaterials and devices never work as well as the part they are intended to replace, leading to patient dissatisfaction, physician concern, and a financial burden on the health care system.

UWEB has a sharply focused objective: to develop a new generation of biomaterials that exploit specific biological recognition mechanisms. Such materials will be designed to, upon implantation, heal in the body in a facile, physiologically normal manner. This is in contrast to existing biomaterials that are not recognized by the body and are walled off from the body.

UWEB and the Department of Bioengineering are located in the newly constructed Foege Building. Space totaling 123,000 ft2 has been assigned to the Bioengineering Department. In addition to research laboratories, the Foege Building has a 1) bioengineering physiology teaching lab, 2) molecular bioengineering teaching lab, 3) instrumentation teaching lab, 4) centralized computer laboratories, 5) student workroom/lounge, 6) 60-seat seminar room, and 7) numerous smaller meeting rooms.

What USIRP participants will receive

1.Involvement in an interdisciplinary research project where a team of researchers work together to solve a common science problem.

2.An interactive poster session where undergraduate researchers present their results to the UWEB engineering community (August 2007).

3.Lectures on ethics, communications skills, laboratory safety, and other selected topics.

4.Publication of a journal article describing his/her research project in the UWEB Journal of Undergraduate Research in Bioengineering (JURIBE).

5.Research credit for one quarter and a stipend of $1500 for each of the remaining two quarters of participation.

About the UWEB USIRP

The goal of the UWEB USIRP is to provide an especially enriched cross-disciplinary research experience for qualified and deserving undergraduate students for three academic quarters. USIRP strives to cultivate a long-term relationship with undergraduate students who not only participate in research opportunities, but also enroll in UWEB core courses with the option of an emphasis on biomaterials.

The heart of the program consists of a carefully mentored research experience that team the undergraduate with graduate students and a principal investigator. The teams will focus on a UWEB project that has been carefully selected as a good example of interdisciplinary research and one that has ties to industry research interests.

Requirements for Participation in the Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program

The selection process is competitive and participation in the program will include the following requirements: participants must commit to three consecutive academic quarters in the program. The first quarter of the research experience will be taken for credit only; students will be paid a stipend of $1500 for each of the two subsequent quarters. Participants will attend selected lectures on ethics, laboratory safety, and communication/presentation skills. During their association with UWEB, students will be required to participate in at least one poster session. The final milestone of the program is a research paper submission for publication in the UWEB Journal of Undergraduate Research in Bioengineering (JURIBE). See for more information.

Please read the following program requirements before you complete the application form:

1.You must be a University of Washington student and a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the United States (or one of its possessions).

2.You must stay in the program for three consecutive academic quarters: Spring, Summer and Autumn 2007.

3.You must be able to devote up to 19.5 hours per week to your research project each quarter and submit monthly status reports.

4.You must attend all required meetings, lectures, seminars, focus groups, and workshops.

5.By the end of the third quarter, you must submit a research paper of journal article quality for publication in JURIBE.

6.You must participate in at least one poster session.

7.You must currently be a sophomore or junior majoring in a science or engineering field.

Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) 2007

To apply to the program:The application deadline for the 2007 USIRP is

January 12, 2007. Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

A complete application consists of:

1. A completed, signed UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Application Form.

All questions must be answered fully for your application to receive consideration.

The answers to the short essay questions must be typewritten.

2. Two letters of recommendation (reference forms included in this packet), one of which must be an instructor who can evaluate your potential in a laboratory setting.

3. An official UW transcript of coursework. (Please note: if you have completed coursework at another college or university that is not documented on your UW transcript, and you would like to have this work considered by the review committee, submit additional transcripts.)

Send your application form and transcripts to:

Janet Wilt

UWEB Education and Outreach

Box 355061

University of Washington

Seattle, WA 98195-5061

Selection criteria will be based on the quality of the application written materials, letters of recommendation, and academic record. Appropriate science and mathematics courses will be required for participants and it is expected that the majority of students will be academic juniors who have completed basic chemistry, mathematics, and engineering coursework.

UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Application
PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION FULLY
LAST NAMEFIRST NAMEMIDDLE NAMESOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
STREET ADDRESSCITYSTATE ZIP
E-MAIL ADDRESSTELEPHONE NUMBERDATE OF BIRTH GENDER: MALE_____ FEMALE_____
PARENTS OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION
NAME / LIVING? / OCCUPATION / STATE OF RESIDENCE / EDUCATION/COLLEGE (HIGHEST LEVEL)
FATHER / YES / NO
MOTHER
GUARDIAN
AVERAGE FAMILY INCOME
DEPENDANT? Yes_____ No_____ (If No, indicate income: ______)
AVERAGE ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME: UNDER $15,000___ $15,000-$25,000___ $25,000-$35,000___ $35,000-$45,000___
$45,000-$55,000___ $55,000-$65,000___ ABOVE $65,000___
COLLEGES AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS ATTENDED
NAME / LOCATION (CITY, STATE) / DATES OF ATTENDANCE / MAJOR / DEGREE GRANTED/EXPECTED / DATE
to
to
to
HONORS RECEIVED WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE
CLASS STANDING:
SOPHOMORE___ JUNIOR___ SENIOR___ / CUM. GPA
MAJOR GPA: / STUDENT ID NUMBER
RACE
Please check ONE box (Information requested by National Science Foundation for funding purposes, and is strictly confidential and voluntary)
___Caucasian / ___Native
American / ___African
American / ___Pacific
Islander / ___Asian / ___Mixed Caucasian
or Asian / ___Mixed Native American,
African American, or Native American / ___Choose not to
disclose
ETHNICITY
___Not Hispanic / ___Hispanic / ___Choose not to disclose
DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL, SENSORY, OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE OR MORE LIFE ACTIVITIES (E.G. WALKING, SEEING, HEARING, BREATHING, OR LEARNING)? ___YES ___NO
AREAS OF INTEREST
EXTRACURRICULAR, COMMUNITY, AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
EMPLOYMENT DURING SCHOOL YEARS (LIST TYPE OF WORK AND APPROXIMATE HOURS PER WEEK) OR OTHER RESEARCH RELATED EXPERIENCES
HOW HAVE YOU SPENT YOUR SUMMERS DURING YOUR COLLEGE YEARS? (INCLUDE THE YEAR AND LOCATION OF PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER PROGRAMS)
PLEASE ANSWER EACH OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW. TYPE YOUR ANSWERS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER, KEEPING THEM TO ONE OR TWO SHORT PARAGRAPHS FOR EACH QUESTION.
1. What aspects of the UWEB program sparked your interest and why? (For more information about the UWEB program, check out our website at
2. Why do you think USIRP is a good fit for you and for your long-term career goals?
3. What would you expect to gain from the program? What would you contribute?
4. Tell us something you believe to be unique about yourself (i.e., hardships you have overcome, a significant personal experience, etc.).
5. How did you hear about this program or where did you receive the application packet?
Certifications and Signature
I Certify that the information submitted in this application and associated materials are current, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Signature (ink only) / Date
Please print this application and complete it in ink by hand (print legibly). Send the completed application form with a copy of your official academic transcript (unofficial transcripts will not be accepted) to Janet Wilt, UWEB Education and Outreach, Box 355061, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5061. If you have any questions contact Janet Wilt at (206) 221-5839 or by email: .
The UWEB web site can be found at: www.uweb.engr.washington.edu/education/usirp.html.
The deadline for applying to the 2007 Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is January 12, 2007. Applications postmarked after that date will not be reviewed.

University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials

Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program

RECOMMENDATION FORM

SECTION A

To the applicant: Two references are required one of which must be from an individual who can evaluate your potential in a laboratory setting. Section A is to be completed by the applicant before it is presented to the individual providing the reference.
Applicant’s
Name
Address
Phone #
Email Address
To the person providing the reference: Please answer as many questions in Section B as your acquaintance with the student permits. The application deadline for the UWEB UndergraduateScholars in Research Program (USIRP) is January 12, 2007. Your completed form should be sent to:

Janet Wilt
UWEB Education and Outreach
Box 355061
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5061
If you have questions regarding this form or the UWEB program, please contact Janet Wilt at (206) 221-5829.
.

SECTION B

How long have you known the applicant?

In what capacity have you known the applicant?

Please rate the applicant by circling the appropriate number which most accurately represents your opinion of the applicant in comparison with a representative group of individuals you have known who have had the same amount of education and experience.

Poor / Outstanding
Unable
to judge / (Lowest
25%) / Fair (26-
75%) / Excellent
(76-90%) / (Highest
10%)
Intellectual ability / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Motivation to pursue a
research career / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Work habits / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
General Motivation / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Leadership / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Imagination/Creativity / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Initiative / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Ability to work with others / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Maturity/Ability to take
responsibility for actions / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Ability to communicate (written) / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Ability to communicate
(oral) / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

4. What do you consider to be the applicant’s strongest characteristics?

5. What do you consider to be the applicant’s weakest characteristics?

6. To your knowledge, are there any special circumstances relative to the applicant which would be of value as the student’s credentials are evaluated for this program?

7. Do you believe the academic record of the applicant is a true reflection of her/his intellectual ability?

Yes.

No. Please Explain:

8. In what ways do you believe the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program can be of value to the applicant?

9.Add any special comments that will help to give a more complete picture of the applicant’s abilities and potential as a candidate for continued work and study in research.

Please Print

Name: / Phone:
Title/Position: / Department:
Name of College/University:
Address:
Signature: / Date:

University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials

Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program

RECOMMENDATION FORM

SECTION A

SECTION B

1.How long have you known the applicant?

In what capacity have you known the applicant?

Please rate the applicant by circling the appropriate number which most accurately represents your opinion of the applicant in comparison with a representative group of individuals you have known who have had the same amount of education and experience.

4. What do you consider to be the applicant’s strongest characteristics?

5. What do you consider to be the applicant’s weakest characteristics?

6. To your knowledge, are there any special circumstances relative to the applicant which would be of value as the student’s credentials are evaluated for this program?

7. Do you believe the academic record of the applicant is a true reflection of her/his intellectual ability?

Yes.

No. Please Explain:

8. In what ways do you believe the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program can be of value to the applicant?

9.Add any special comments that will help to give a more complete picture of the applicant’s abilities and potential as a candidate for continued work and study in research.

Please Print

Name: / Phone:
Title/Position: / Department:
Name of College/University:
Address:
Signature: / Date: