REU Site: Natural and Synthetic Mechanisms that Alter Biological Processes

This REU Site award to Xavier University of Louisiana, located in New Orleans, LA will support the training of 30 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027-2029. Participants will be recruited from across the US and will include students with limited access to research opportunities and resources in their home institutions. Research mentors will guide trainees in individual projects, aligned with the program theme of “Natural and Synthetic Mechanisms that Alter Biological Processes”, using an interdisciplinary approach to provide critical insights that build greater understanding of the physical world. Trainees will also be involved in collaborative research as laboratories work together to address common interests and research problems. Trainees will present their research at an end-of-summer symposium and will be encouraged to present at national scientific conferences. Throughout the summer program, the cohort of trainees will participate in seminars and workshops designed to enhance professional skills and explore potential career paths in the STEM fields. Assessment of this program will be done through surveys of trainees and mentors, as well as through long-term tracking of trainee academic and career pathways after program participation. Students should apply to the REU site using NSF ETAP (Education and Training Application: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/8501/opportunity/11970). The training students will receive is aligned with the NSF priority in Biotechnology. The modification of biological activity through changes in genetic content or via the addition of chemical compounds is the overarching theme of this program. The program takes a holistic approach to studying the effect of chemical agents on macromolecules, with particular emphasis on molecular regulation, maintenance of biological integrity, and cellular communication critical to biological activity. By integrating research laboratories in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Computer Science, students will utilize a wide array of experimental methodologies to better understand the mechanisms of fundamental biological processes. From modeling-based design of macromolecules to molecular synthesis and the subsequent testing of compounds on biological activity, trainees will gain a wealth of scientific knowledge and experience with experimental methodology that will prepare them for future training for paths in STEM careers. This preparation will also involve professional development activities, including graduate school application and GRE prep, science communication training, career exploration sessions, and visits with industry leaders at a local bioinnovation center. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.