West Long Branch, N.J. (Aug. 9, 2016) — More than 70 students participating Monmouth University’s School of Science Summer Research Program (SRP) will present the findings of their original research projects on Aug. 11.
A broad range of topics spanning ocean habitats, computational modeling, and genome research will be on display and up for discussion at the annual event, which draws a highly selective pool of undergraduate student researchers from Monmouth University, outside colleges and universities, and exceptional high school students.
Working under the close supervision of Monmouth University faculty representing biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics, computer science and software engineering, the 10-week program showcases the importance of STEM related research as a critical component for undergraduate students.
Many of the research projects leverage the university’s coastal location as a unique natural laboratory for marine and environmental science.
Dr. Steven Bachrach, who began his tenure as dean of Monmouth University’s School of Science on Aug. 1, will join the assembly of students, faculty, and program supporters for the event in Erlanger Gardens just outside historic Wilson Hall. Members of the public are invited to join family and friends to meet the new dean and explore research outcomes at the free event.
“We are delighted to have had these outstanding students on campus throughout this summer to collaborate with our faculty on exciting research projects,” said John Tiedemann, assistant dean of the School of Science. “The SRP provides students with experiential learning by working on cutting-edge, hands-on research projects in wet laboratories, computer laboratories, and field research environments.”
Sponsors of the program include a diverse mix of cutting edge and well established corporations and non-profit groups including Bristol-Myers Squibb, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Defined Logic, Global Essence, Independent College Fund of New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson, The Macaluso Group, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Pfizer, RespireRX, Santander, Sparta Systems, and WorkWave.
Additional support for individual research projects comes from Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI) through the Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Scholarship Fund and a recent $5 million challenge grant to support a Marine Science & Policy Initiative to create new research opportunities, conduct research and policy analysis, enhance student experiences in and out of the classroom, and support community stewardship of coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Sample student research projects include:
- “Examining the Role of Fascin in Primary Brain Cancers”
- “Predicting the Yield of NJ Vineyard Grapes”
- “Dispelling the “Fantasy” in Fantasy Sports”
- “Assessment and Inventory of New Jersey Coastal Fisheries”
- “Diet of Atlantic Sturgeon in a Coastal Marine Aggregation”
- “Absorption of Lead and Zinc on Microplastics from Hand, Facial and Body Cleansers”
- “Mapping of Plastics in the Coastal Marine Environment”
- “Analyzing Big Company Data for Meaningful Results”
- “Digital Data Mining and Pattern Analysis: Early Hurricane Detection System”
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