Proposal

Narrative

The $47,763.13 in funds requested will aid in the expansion of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for students interested in scientific research at FAU through the creation of a new Imaging and Fluorescence CURE. This initiative aligns with our commitment to improve accessibility to upper-level research intensive courses as well as independent undergraduate research through the purchase of 8 fluorescent microscopes that will be integrated into the existing equipment in EC104. CURE courses use novel pedagogy to train students in cutting-edge skills while also training them in the practice of scientific research. The lab will teach students the principles of microscopy and the use of fluorophores in biological imaging. Learning these techniques better prepares students for research opportunities at FAU’s affiliated research institutes, Max Planck and Scripps, makes them more attractive candidates in the highly competitive STEM job market, and makes them more competitive for selective programs such as the FAU’s Max Planck Honors Program (MPHP). The expansion of undergraduate research opportunities is crucial to the guiding principles of the Wilkes Honors College (WHC) to provide students with hands-on learning with cutting-edge techniques. The CURE would benefit three populations of undergraduates on the Jupiter Campus - WHC, College of Science, and FAU HS students. This CURE would support the increasing demand for undergraduate research positions, which also helps students fulfill their WHC and MPHP thesis requirements and provides a solution to the anticipated saturation of faculty research mentorship opportunities in the light of increasing enrollment for all involved programs. To do this, the CURE would augment higher-level course offerings within biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychology, environmental studies, and other STEM concentrations and majors to provide a dedicated time, place, and support for students to conduct novel research.

Facilities

No renovations will be required. The funds requested would be used to purchase 8 fluorescent microscopes used in the course. The teaching laboratory in EC104 would be adapted to include 8 fluorescent imaging stations that would use the existing computers used for the Neurophysiology CURE already in place. Students would also be introduced to confocal microscopy using the laser-scanning confocal microscope in the room adjoining EC104 (EC104a). This room contains a Nikon D-eclipse C1si confocal microscope with HP Z420 workstation with Nikon Advanced Research Elements Software, extra large Dell monitor, and battery backup power. The Imaging and Fluorescence CURE would also provide students with the foundation to acquire more advanced techniques in the Advanced Imaging Training Laboratory held in the intersessions in the FAU Jupiter Research Expansion building (MC-19), where students gain hands-on technical knowledge of laser scanning confocal microscopy, two-photon, multi-photon, super-resolution, and light sheet confocal microscopy.

Hardware Requirements

We will be using the existing computers in the lab. No additional hardware is required.

Software Requirements

The fluorescent microscopes come with AmScope Imaging software. This software is already on two of the computers in EC104 that were used in previous semesters with the dissecting microscopes in the lab. The software runs on these computers and there are no issues to address by installing additional software on the remaining computers. This software will introduce students to the analytical methods used to derive data from images. ImageJ, a free software provided by the National Institute of Health, will also be available on each computer. Having this software available to students will provide them with an alternative software that they can use in their future research regardless of the particular brand of microscope they will be using in the future.

Personnel Costs

There are no personnel costs.

Other Costs

$47,763.13 would be used to purchase 8 fluorescent microscopes. Each fluorescent microscope comes with objectives that provide a 40x-1000x magnification range, a 100w mercury arc-lamp and four turret-mounted filter blocks that include ultraviolet, violet, blue, and green excitation filter blocks for popular fluorophores, a 20MP camera, and professional imaging software for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Timeline

Implementation of the Imaging and Fluorescence CURE would be set to launch in the Fall 2022 semester, provided that funds were available to purchase the microscopes through the tech fee grant. The course would initially be labelled a special topics course until an appropriate course code could be designated. Once in place, I will also apply for the course to have a research-intensive designation. I have already planned the Imaging and Fluorescence CURE curriculum that will cover an introduction to optics, microscope basics, and light microscopy prior to going into the basics of fluorescence. After students have been introduced to the basics of fluorophores, excitation and emission spectra, and fluorescent probes, they will be able to conduct experiments using transgenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster that I already have in my possession that can express fluorophores in various tissues. These are invertebrates and are the ideal organism for students as they do not require additional training on the students' part prior to experimentation. Once established, this course can run every semester, including summer. Upon completion of the course (one semester), students will have access to the laboratory to conduct independent research, if they so choose. Depending on the student's interest, they can use the lab to generate a thesis, journal publication, or conference presentation using the original data they produce in the lab. This is an upper-level course and students will generally take the course in their junior or senior year. Students using the lab for an independent project will have access to the lab up to the point of graduation (approximately1-2 years).

Sustainability

Once the microscopes are purchased, the Imaging and Fluorescence CURE will be able to run every semester indefinitely. The microscopes themselves have a 5-year warranty, after which period, repairs may be necessary but are not foreseen to be common. This course and other CUREs will ultimately aid in the sustainability of a hands-on research-intensive programs at the John D. Macarthur Campus for Wilkes Honors College students, College of Science students, and FAU High School students. There are currently 452 WHC students in a declared STEM concentration, 75 FAU High School Students, all in STEM concentrations, and 2,600 College of Science students, with 105 students that have completed a thesis through the College of Science Honors Thesis Program. Studies on undergraduate research experiences have shown that CUREs can benefit students in many ways. Learning gains of students who complete a CURE course are commensurate with the gains associated with undergraduate participation in research internships. Research internships are inherently limited due to the structure of one-on-one mentoring. CUREs increase inclusivity of research opportunities to a more diverse population of students, creating accessibility to research opportunities for students from under-represented and under-served backgrounds. Participation in undergraduate has many benefits to students including promoting their persistence in science, improving their analytical skills through trouble-shooting and problem-solving, deepening their knowledge of scientific concepts, and improving their written and oral communication skills. In addition, undergraduates that engage in independent research are more likely to complete their degrees and pursue graduate degrees. The implementation of CUREs will make the above three programs more sustainable by increasing the capacity of the Jupiter Campus to accommodate undergraduate student research.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

The Wilkes Honors College would be designated as the implementing organization. Dr. Krill would be the individual to implement the course. The Provost Office Fast Labs Initiative has implemented several CUREs including Neurophysiology, Basic Lab Skills, Behavioral Evolution, Immuno Tech and CRISPR Technologies Labs. The FAU High School is implementing a Drosophila Genes and Behavior Lab that will be launched this summer. The imaging lab would provide instruction on a widely used methodology that is lacking in the current CUREs offerings that would provide students with skills that are widely applicable across STEM fields.