A piece and call-to-action regarding the India Supreme Court's recent recriminalization of LGBTQH identity by Dr. Harjant Gill, assistant professor of anthropology at Towson University.

"In July of 2009, the Delhi High Court "read down" Section 377, the 153-year old sodomy laws instituted by the British, making sex between two consenting adults, regardless of their gender, legal. This was a monumental victory for the LGBTQH (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Hijra) communities in India, and their struggle for equal rights. Indians living abroad like myself, who have been working to promote visibility and acceptance of sexual minorities in South Asian communities in diaspora, welcomed and cheered the news. We felt an incredible sense of pride in our nation, and its judicial system that privileged human dignity and equal rights over political campaigns based on religious bigotry, intolerance, policing public morality and using fear to drum up support. Now the nation's highest court is trying to make us into criminals -- again..."

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Meet Emily. She is a Music major and current Undergraduate Research Award (URA) Scholar. Her current research focuses on the influential American flutist William Kincaid.

How did you find your mentor for your research project?
My flute teacher, Dr. Lisa Cella, suggested that I apply for the URA. We discussed possible projects and decided on one together. It only seemed natural for her to be my mentor after this collaboration.

How did you know that this was the project you wanted to do?
As a flute player, I have always been interested in the history and development of the various styles of playing the flute in different countries. When I learned about William Kincaid, the father of American flute playing, I was fascinated by what I read and desired to learn more.

Is this your first independent research project?
This is not my first independent research project. In my high school, we were expected to successfully complete two twenty-page theses on topics of our own choosing in our junior and senior year. We were assigned faculty mentors to help us hone our topics. This experience greatly prepared me to apply for the Undergraduate Research Award.

Do you get course credit for this work? How much time do you put into it?
I do not receive course credit for this work. I plan to complete much of my research this summer. Part of my research entails attending master classes to interview various flutists who have been influenced by Kincaid’s teaching. Both of these one-week master classes occur in the summer. 

How did you hear about the URA Program?
My faculty mentor suggested I apply for the program; I also heard about it from various professors who recommended that I apply.

What academic background did you have before you applied for the URA?
I have played the flute for eight years and I am a music major with a double emphasis in education and performance.

Was the application difficult to do?
For me, the most difficult part of the application was the editing process. I worked closely with my mentor and sent several drafts of my proposal to a few of my professors to get their thoughts. Hearing their insights really helped to hone my proposal.

What has been the hardest part about your research?
For me, the hardest part I think will be pacing myself. I am trying to do most of my research this summer as I have a heavy academic load during the fall and spring semesters.

What was the most unexpected thing?
I did not realize how intensely I had to revise my proposal. Every word had to be purposeful and communicate exactly what I meant. Writing the proposal was a wonderful writing exercise.

How does your research relate to your work in other classes?
My research will greatly aid in my Performance Studies class. My research entails attending several master classes over the summer, which have proven to be both enlightening and challenging. 

What else are you involved in on campus?
In addition to my academic classes, I am involved in CRU, Campus Crusade for Christ.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
I would highly recommend that all students pursue some type of research during their undergraduate years. It is a wonderful opportunity to develop close relationships with professors and it is a great academic experience. It also is a superb addition to any resume.

What are your career goals?
After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I would love to pursue a Master’s degree in both Music Education and Music Performance. I also would enjoy teaching music both privately and in an elementary school.

Read Emily's abstract here...

The C2B2/NSF REU program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research alongside faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students at each of our four partnering institutions. Students will be conducting research in one of C2B2's six thrust areas at either the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado school of Mines in Golden, or the national Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

Along with research duties, all students participate in educational seminars, C2B2 institution site visits, industry site visits, planned social activities, and cultural experiences.

Students will learn how researchers of varying disciplines at all four sites collaborate to solve biofuel and biorefining challenges. This program provides the students a rich and diverse ten week experience within the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Students interested in applying to the C2B2/NSF REU should thoroughly research C2B2's Research Thrusts in order to gain an understanding of the type of research C2B2 performs. Accepted REU students will be matched to projects based on their thrust preference indicated in the online application.

The REU in Microbiology at The University of Iowa seeks to foster the careers of the next generation of microbiologists. We do this by providing an intensive 10-week research experience for bright and ambitious undergraduates who are considering a PhD in microbiology or an allied discipline. We hope that this experience will encourage students to pursue a career in basic science and give them the skills they need to succeed in that career path. The focus of the program is a hands-on research project conducted under the guidance of faculty and graduate student mentors. A range of research projects will be available, including basic mechanisms of bacterial and viral gene expression, virus structure and assembly, biofilm formation, microbial development, and prokaryotic cell biology. Students will also attend lectures to broaden their understanding of microbiology and educate them about graduate school and career options. 

Overview of the Program

• Participants conduct full-time, hands-on research in microbiology, microbial genetics, or molecular biology.
• An overview of research programs in our department can be found by clicking here, and a list of recent summer REU projects can be found here.
• Enrichment activities include weekly seminars and workshops on graduate school and career opportunities. Schedules from past years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• At the end of the summer students present their findings in a campus-wide poster session.
• Program lasts for 10 weeks (May 27-August 1, 2014).
• Participants receive a $5,000 stipend plus a $515 food allowance.
• On-campus housing is provided at no cost to the participants.
• Travel costs are paid by the program.

Eligibility

The program is intended for undergraduates who:

• Have completed at least two years of college.
• Will be returning for at least one semester of undergraduate study before graduation.
• Are majoring in a biological science.
• Are interested in pursuing graduate school and a career in biological research.
• Are United States citizens or permanent residents (hold a green card).
• Have limited access to research opportunities at their home institution.
• Prior research experience is NOT a requirement.