Laura Huenneke, dean of NAU's College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, credits her own undergraduate research experience for her decision to pursue a career in science.

Undergraduate research sparks interest
in science careers

Laura Huenneke had an epiphany as an undergraduate student. After she spent a summer working with plants and insects in field experiments as part of a research exchange program through the National Science Foundation, Huenneke made the life-changing decision to make her living in science.

True to form, Huenneke is now dean of Northern Arizona University's College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and she credits undergraduate research programs like the one she participated in as being one of the most powerful influences on students who pursue scientific careers.

"These experiences change lives," she said.

It's a philosophy the National Science Foundation has modeled for decades, using this hands-on approach to help attract undergraduate students into careers in science and engineering.

The foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates is an intensive 10-week summer program designed to introduce students to the world of scientific research. Through a competitive application process, students are awarded funding to work closely with a faculty mentor on independent research projects that match their interests. NAU offers REU programs in a number of disciplines, mentoring dozens of students each summer as a way to spark their interest in scientific careers.

"These programs give students the opportunity to work with someone who has expertise or interests not available at their home institution," Huenneke said, adding that students from schools like Princeton, Notre Dame and Rice apply to work specifically with NAU scholars and scientists in areas such as environmental sciences, physics and astronomy, biology, and math and statistics.

The competition is fierce, with hundreds of students from colleges across the nation applying for just a handful of openings in each of the NAU programs. Students receive tuition waivers, a stipend, room and board and some travel expenses.

Nadine Barlow mentored Nicholas Valentour from the University of Nebraska this summer as he researched the potential for nested craters on Mars.

Nicholas Valentour was chosen to come to NAU this summer from the University of Nebraska to study the potential for nested craters on Mars. He was paired with Nadine Barlow, associate professor of physics and astronomy and self-proclaimed "resident Martian" for her research focus on Martian impact craters.

"She's doing cool Mars research, something I hadn't heard of before," said Valentour, whose own interests in planetary geology made him a good match for Barlow. "It will be a boost for me when I'm ready for grad school. It's the first time I've done research and NAU is definitely on the map for astronomy and planetary sciences."

Barlow calls Flagstaff a great outdoor laboratory for geologic research, with the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater and volcanic rock formations all within driving distance. "Our emphasis on the hands-on activities gives students the full experience to see it all," she said.

This applied science approach, said Huenneke, is a major benefit of the REU program because students get the chance to do science, rather than just sitting in classrooms reading about science.

"Our faculty spend their time and energy working with, encouraging and mentoring undergraduate students," she said, which is helping to educate well-rounded scientists who are able to bridge gaps between the scientific community and the public.

Stephen Shuster, professor of biological sciences and coordinator of NAU's summer REU in biology program, agreed. "We're interested in students who will succeed in the program and in the field. We're also looking for students who aren't already steeped in research."

Lindsey Drayton, who will be a senior at Duke, fit that mold. She had worked in retail and wanted to do something more relevant to her studies. She went to the REU web site to look at projects related to animal behavior and applied to five or six programs. She heard from NAU first and made her decision. She worked with Con Slobodchikoff on recording prairie dog alarm calls.

"From this experience I know I'm interested in animal communication," she said.

Hearing of such an "ah-ha" moment is no surprise to Huenneke. "We do an absolutely superb job of this. It's a great tribute to both the expertise of our talented faculty and to their dedication and commitment to students," she said.

"What makes NAU so incredibly special is the number and quality of these REU programs," she added. "Many much larger universities have just one or two REU programs—and often none at all."

It's quite a contrast to the multiple long-running programs at NAU, some that have been mentoring students for nearly 15 years. Huenneke said it works so well at NAU "because we have first-rate, research-active faculty who can be excellent mentors and guides for these students."

Information about the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, is available online.

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