FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama has been selected participate in the 2024-25 Scholars Transforming Through Research Program through the Council on Undergraduate Research.
UNA is one of just 63 teams from across the United States chosen for the competitive, application-based professional development opportunity.
CUR officials said, “The STR Program is a valuable resource for translating undergraduate research into comprehensible language while also communicating the impact, potential impact, and opportunities this research can have outside the classroom walls.”
Dr. Cindy Stenger, mathematics professor, will serve as UNA’s representative, and she will be joined by students Kate Grissom and Lydia Uptain.
“Since 2018, we have partnered with computational scientists from HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Michigan State University, and Corewell Health, through the NSF-funded CODE (Characterizing Our DNA Exceptions) program and other independent research projects,” Dr. Stenger said. “These collaborations have provided our undergraduates with invaluable opportunities to present and publish their research alongside experienced bioinformatics scientists, and to obtain prestigious internships and research assistantships at (HudsonAlpha, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Tennessee) and MSU.”
Stenger daid UNA has established a strong foundation of student-led research that has paved the way for significant findings that have been presented and published.
“It is not an overstatement to say that genomics research is revolutionizing healthcare. Computational biology is playing a role, and there is a place for undergraduates to contribute,” she said. “There is a vast amount of open access data available from clinical submissions related to genetically linked diseases, and we are honing our ability to analyze this data and communicate our results. A key ingredient to successful scientific research is effectively communicating results to a nonscientific audience, many of whom may not be aware of the global impact of genomics research and the critical role student researchers play in analyzing this data.
“That is why I am so excited to participate in the 5-month STR Advocacy Internship. Our students will gain essential communication skills while being given opportunities to present their research to key audiences regionally, but also nationally in Congressional visits in March 2025. This internship is a perfect storm for advancing our students’ career possibilities and playing a role in impacting the future of healthcare.”
The teams represent 57 institutions from 22 states with 65 campus representatives and 146 undergraduate researchers.
“This cohort of students and mentors represents future research, innovation, and advocacy,” said CUR Executive Officer Lindsay Currie. “Their passion for discovery and dedication to expanding access to undergraduate research opportunities is truly inspiring. As we navigate a pivotal time for both higher education and civic engagement, this year’s STR cohort will be equipped to advocate for the transformative power of research at their institutions and on the national stage.
“We are excited to support them as they grow into leaders who will make a lasting impact in their fields and communities.”
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
