Challenges and Impact of NSF-supported Programs at Maryland
Norma M. Allewell Dean College of Life Sciences Presentation to NSF Bio Advisory Committee November 19, 2004
University of Maryland
• 25,140 undergraduate students. 32% are from underrepresented U.S. groups. • 9,203 graduate students. 26% are international students. Of the U.S. students, 23% are from underrepresented groups. • 1463 tenure/tenure track faculty • Total sponsored research - $288M
NSF Support at Maryland by College
College of Computer, Math & Physical Sciences Clark School of Engineering College of Education College of Life Sciences College of Behavioral & Social Sciences Clark School of Business Office of Information Technology Graduate School ($893K in Graduate Research Fellowships) College of Agriculture & Natural Resources College of Arts & Humanities School of Public Affairs President’s Office $78M $30M $16M $16M $3M $2.4M $1M $1M $450K $350K $40K $10K
Vertically Integrated Partnerships K-16
• Partners
– University of Maryland System – Montgomery College – Montgomery County Public Schools
• Goals
– Improve student learning outcomes, as measured by high school assessments – Enrich science teacher knowledge – Improve teaching skills of college science faculty – Enhance graduate student teaching skills – Increase the number of undergraduate science students who choose teaching as a career
Vertically Integrated Partnerships K-16
• Scale
– 350 teachers serving ~37,000 high school students – 36 University faculty
•
College Park programs
– – – – Participation in 2004 summer institutes REACTS high school Chemistry teachers conference Bioscience Teachers Day Faculty conversations on teaching
•
Program
– Scope: biology, earth/space science, physics/chemistry – Summer institutes and school year collaborative sessions create small vertically integrated professional learning communities – Communities consist of teachers, disciplinary faculty, graduate students, undergraduate interns, and pre-service science teachers.
CAREER Award: Rollinson Fellows in Chemistry/Biochemistry
• • • • • • Partially funded by CAREER Award to Rob Walker Enables first year students to engage in independent research Fellows receive $500 tuition allowance and $300 for research expenses Participation since 2001: 31 students Provides partial support for graduate student mentors 80% of the Fellows continue to do research after the Rollinson program Fellows have co-authored papers in journals such as J. Chem Phys, J. Phys. Chem B, J. Org. Chem., Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, J. of Polymer Science From the first cohort: 2 in grad school, 1 in medical school, 1 post bac applying to med school, 1 forensic chemist at DEA, and 1 pathologist at Walter Reed
• •
Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
• • • • Supports service-learning-based K-12 education outreach Summer science programs for middle school girls Hands-on math and science student programs Student Teaching Fellows act as resource consultants to K-12 teachers in local schools • Home School K-12 Outreach programs • Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) – During a 10-week program 6 - 8 students receive lab experience while working on a research project with a faculty member – Guidance for oral and poster presentations – On campus housing and a stipend • Students exposed to small businesses, corporations, and national labs
Research Experience for Undergraduates
IGERT: Biology of Small Populations
• Outcomes
– Enabled development of interdepartmental/ interinstitutional Ph.D. program – Improved quality of applicants – Led to development of BEES graduate program
• • • • • •
42 students & 16 post docs supported 13 completed Ph.D. dissertations and 3 M.S. theses 88 presentations at national meetings 16 book chapters published 86 papers in peer-reviewed journals Former students and post docs -16 hold tenure track positions; 3 research scientists; 7 post docs; 1 curator at the Bronx Zoo; 1 in vet school; and 1 environmental consultant
IGERT: Biology of Small Populations
Paul Turner • IGERT Postdoc (1995-98) • Currently – Asst. Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University
Manuel Morales • IGERT Postdoc (2000-02) • Currently – Asst. Professor, Biology, Williams College
IGERT: Human Evolutionary Biology
Dr. Sarah Tishkoff - partnership with Howard and George Washington Universities
Kweli Powell Graduate Student