The Department of Education has granted 2.4 million dollars that will be used by the Biology Department. This will fund student research, as well as the construction and maintenance of a new two-story complex, the Student Center for Science Engagement, within the Science Building. The Principle Investigator of the 2.4 million dollar Title V grant was David Rutschman. This grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to fund Hispanic-serving institutions.
The funding has currently helped to increase student research at NEIU during the past year. There are 30 students now working with a total of 12 faculty members in diverse fields such as biology, ecology, and sociology. The Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference has 21 students presenting original research this year, up from a mere seven students a year ago. Many of these students will go on to publish their findings. Dr. Terrence Puryear is a professor whose research students investigated the effects of folate supplementation on pregnant mice and its role in autism. They are not only attending SACNAS but also attended the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) in San Francisco.”Many people don’t realize the quality of student research that goes on at Northeastern. We have extremely good undergraduates,” said Puryear.
The Student Center for Science Engagement will be targeted towards students majoring in, or simply interested in, the sciences. It will be a space where students can seek help and do work. The Center will boast a study area with tutors, computers for science research, and a smart lab for demonstrations and seminars. What is currently Room 235 would become offices to advisers that can provide students with information about career opportunities, internships and real world connections.
Stephanie Levi, a coordinator, hopes to bring in seminars that will show students the wide variety of jobs available to students with a biology degree.
”A lot of students think that you can only go to medical school or graduate school if you have a science degree, but there are so many options that are out there for you,” said Levi. ”You can go onto science journalism, you can go into law and use a science degree, a lot of businesses actually really like someone with a science degree, they find it preferable to someone with a business degree because they like the analytical skills.”
Levi added that podcasts could be broadcasted in case students are unable to attend. As of yet there is no start date on the Center’s construction.