The first floor of Gilmer is an area rarely visited by many University students. It is a world all unto its own -- full of laboratories, heavy machinery, chemicals and lab coats. However, for the science-minded undergrad, it is also a world of tremendous opportunity.
The first floor of Gilmer is the center of the Biology department's research labs. There, undergraduate students can work alongside graduate and post-doctoral students, all while under the supervision and direction of a University professor or faculty research advisor.
To become involved with an independent research project, a student does not need to have any prerequisites, but he or she must have a willing attitude. It is also recommended that individuals have some knowledge about Cell Biology and Genetics. Each independent research course (listed as BIOL491-8) is worth three credits and requires that a student spend about 10 hours per week in a lab.
According to Biology Prof. Robert Kretsinger, coordinator for undergraduate research at the University, hands-on laboratory experience, is "something that med schools and graduate schools really look for."
Lab experience gives students a leg up when applying for graduate programs to be able to say that they know how to handle laboratory equipment, conduct an experiment and write up their findings. In addition, Kretsinger said the University offers students the chance to do research at the Medical School, "an opportunity that a smaller college can't offer."
Biology Prof. Michael Timko, who is currently heading several research projects, points out that, for an undergraduate, working in a research lab is very different from taking any of the introductory Biology labs like BIOL203 or 204.
"The students are not fed information from a classroom. Rather, they are taking information and integrating it," Timko said.
Second-year College student Nick Skizim, who is working in one of Timko's labs, said he enjoys the freedom.
"I'm liking it -- I'm finally getting comfortable doing things on my own," Timko said.
A Biochemistry major, Skizim said he plans to do some sort of pharmaceutical or genetic research later in life. Although he acknowledged that 10 hours a week for only three credits is a bit of a time commitment, he stays enthusiastic.
"You can get biology credit for it and it's really good experience for later," he said.
Furthermore, the project of Timko's on which Skizim is working could end up helping a lot of hungry people in Western Africa, he said.
They are working with the cowpea plant, trying to find a way to protect it from the Striga parasite.
"The cowpea plant is a major source of protein for people in West Africa," Timko said. "The Striga parasite attacks the cow pea and a number of different crop plants," feeding off of and eventually killing the host plant.
Timko said the project is helping to make a tangible difference.
"The project has a clean goal. You are trying to help people feed themselves."
Another one of Timko's students, second-year College student Jimmy Casey, has been doing lab work for the last three semesters, including last summer. Although he said he plans to continue working in the lab, he expressed uncertainty as to his future plans.
"I don't know if it's something that I want to do for the rest of my life," Casey said.
Timko stressed that working in the lab helps students make important decisions about their future professions.
"It is how you find out if you are cut out for this as a career," he said.
If a student is interested in pursuing a research project, Kretsinger suggested that he or she go to the departmental Web site and learn more about the different research projects going on around Grounds. He also urged students to talk to mentors before committing to a lab.
Kretsinger warned that different professors and different students can have different styles in terms of time-management and instruction. He recommended that students find out "whether a professor prefers to work with a student everyday on an assigned project or just meet with the student once a month."
Either way, all those involved encouraged undergraduate students to pursue lab research -- for, according to Skizim, "There is always a lab needing help"
Read More
Summer construction on Grounds disrupts traffic, foot pathways
By Ford McCracken | 4 hours agoOne of the two largest disruptions to traffic is at the three-way intersection of McCormick Road, Rugby Road and University Avenue.
What is U.Va.’s Faculty Senate?
By Adeline Miller | 4 days agoThe Senate is able to represent the faculty perspective to legislative bodies through positions such as the faculty representative to the Board of Visitors.
UJC finalizes 15 cases in spring semester
By Grace Little | 4 days ago10 pending cases remain on the docket to be processed in the fall.
