REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Neuroscience

This REU Site award to the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO will support the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027-2029. It is anticipated that a total of 30 students from institutions across the US, including those with limited access to research will be trained in the program. The program focuses on the rapidly growing area of interdisciplinary neuroscience highlighting computational and Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches. Projects span across all levels in neuroscience from molecular studies to understanding behavior. Program activities include professional workshops tailored to prepare students for the next steps in their academic and STEM careers. Students will learn the research process; many will present the results of their work at scientific conferences. Program assessment will utilize the SALG URSSA tool. Students should apply to the REU site using NSF ETAP (Education and Training Application: https://etap.nsf.gov). The training students will receive is aligned with the NSF priorities in AI and Biotechnology. This REU Site will train undergraduates in interdisciplinary neuroscience, with a focus on computational and AI methods, starting with a one-week boot camp on computational/AI tools in biosciences and on technical writing. An interdisciplinary team of 20 neuroscience faculty members with different expertise will train undergraduates in research. The projects range across the neuroscience spectrum and include analysis at the molecular, cellular, network, system, cognitive, and behavioral levels. Examples include: neural network plasticity; biophysical single-cell and network modeling of brain states; mechanisms of associative learning and memory; the computational logic and architecture of neural systems; memory in human cognition; neural processing of behavior; and social and cognitive information processing. The selection process will involve the faculty mentors and site directors. Professional development will include research workshops, responsible conduct of research, exploring diverse careers in industry, policy, and entrepreneurship, and educational enrichment activities, such as navigating graduate school applications. 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.