The IN-PRELS (Indiana Post-baccalaureate Research Experiences for LSAMP students)
The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) recognizes the importance of undergraduate research experiences, especially for individuals from underrepresented populations who wish to enter graduate school or contemplate a career in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Undergraduate research experiences, such as computational, laboratory-based research, for example, are often the most meaningful way for students to gain exposure to various STEM disciplines, graduate with STEM degrees and desire to earn advanced degrees or to begin a career in the STEM workforce.
IN-PRELS is open to LSAMP alumni who have graduated in the last 24 months or after August 2021 with their undergraduate degrees in a STEM field and are currently taking an educational gap period. PRELS research scholars are expected to do full-time research under the mentorship of STEM faculty mentors and participate in professional development activities desired by graduate programs and STEM employers.
IN-PRELS scholars MUST NOT be enrolled in courses or active in a graduate or doctoral program during the STEM research participation. Each scholar will receive $31,200 participatory stipend for full-time research from October 2023 through June 2024 (one full academic year) and up to $5,000 for travel and materials/supplies. For any questions, please contact the Indiana LSAMP Program at inlsamp@iu.edu, or call (317) 274-6872.
IN-PRELS Research projects guided by Ball State University faculty mentors:
- Characterize the transaminase enzymology of the protein mitoNEET (Dr. Mary Konkle, Department of Chemistry, Ball State University)
- Characterize lactoferrin as a biological control for Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus bacteria in dairy milk (Dr. John McKillip, Department of Biology, Ball State University)
- Investigation of the Role of Pseudoprotease Dfm1 in Translocon Quality Control (Dr. Eric Rubenstein, Department of Biology, Ball State University)
- Identify proteins near the clogged Sec61 translocon using an open-chain probe of ipomoeassin F with a HaloTag ligand (Dr. Wei Shi, Department of Chemistry, Ball State University).