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WKU Scientists Receive National Science Foundation Funding September 16, 2004 This summer, eight students from six schools participated in the NSF's Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Program. Dr. Cathleen Webb of WKU's Department of Chemistry and Dr. Rezaul Mahmood of the Department of Geography and Geology are the principal investigators in the project. Seven other faculty members -- four from chemistry; two from geography and geology; one from biology -- served as research mentors for the students. The project is designed to continue for three years with a funding level of $254,000. The NSF-REU support allows recruitment of eight outstanding undergraduate students from smaller institutions to spend 10 weeks each summer at the WKU campus and participate in specific research projects supervised by individual faculty mentors. Participating in this year's activities from May 30 to Aug. 6 were three students from Appalachian State University, one each from the Southwest Missouri State University, Westminster College, Murray State University, Elizabethtown Community College and WKU. The REU program allows research students to get involved in cutting-edge research in a one-to-one mentoring environment. Additionally, the project will allow WKU students to interact with their outstanding peers and exchange ideas. Students will stay in contact with their mentors after the summer activities end. Each participant is required to present their research at various regional meetings, and, if possible, a national professional meeting. The NSF-REU funding will help enhance student learning, increase the prestige of WKU among its peer institutions, assist in student recruitment, and open other opportunities for WKU. For more information, contact Cathleen Webb at (270) 745-3786. More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
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