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Hughes Research Fellowships


The MU-HHMI C3: Collaboration, Computation, Communication Program Hughes Research Fellowships (HRF) are year-long fellowships beginning Summer 2012 and including Academic Year 2012-2013. Undergraduate fellows will participate in life science research with MU faculty mentors. Priority will be given to research projects including collaborative and computational methods (see below). Fellows will work with Science Journalism Interns to learn how to communicate science effectively with any audience and contribute to the SciXchange science news website.


Students must make arrangements with a faculty mentor prior to submitting an application. Students are encouraged to seek faculty mentors outside of, as well as within, their own department. Faculty mentors conducting life science research have appointments in a variety of MU colleges, schools, and departments including, but not limited to: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Arts & Science (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics); Veterinary Medicine; and Medicine (Anesthesiology, Biochemistry, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Ophthalmology, Pathology and Anatomical Sciences). Several interdisciplinary programs and centers such as the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, the Food for the 21st Century Program, Neurosciences, the Genetics Area Program, and the Conservation Biology Program also offer opportunities for undergraduate research.


The following are examples of computational tools and components that may be applicable to life science research projects: protein modeling, sequence alignment algorithms, imaging and analysis, bioengineering, statistical methodology, network analysis. This list is provided for guidance only! If you have specific project eligibility questions, please contact the C3 Program Coordinator at mulscc3program@missouri.edu. Students who plan to enter masters or doctorate level graduate programs in the life sciences or who are considering a research-related career in the life sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.



All information on this page is contained in the HRF information packet. Pick up a copy in the Office of Undergraduate Research, 150 Bond Life Sciences Center, or download here:



Reminders:

  • A resume or CV is not required but may be included as part of your application materials.
  • You are encouraged to share your application materials, in addition to your project proposal, with your faculty mentor prior to submission.
  • All letters must be received by the deadline. Late applications may be declined without review.
  • HRF Applications must be submitted via e-mail.


Questions? Contact the C3 Program Coordinator at mulscc3program@missouri.edu.



About Hughes Research Fellowships

Hughes Research Fellows conduct research on campus with a faculty mentor for a full calendar year. HRF research projects should include computational and collaborative approaches to biological problems. Fellows work a minimum of eight weeks (May 30 - July 27, 2012) during summer semester, and 12-15 hours/week during both fall and spring semesters. Because ten to twelve weeks of summer research provides a more meaningful experience, we strongly encourage fellows to begin their research project in May. Alternatively, the C3 Program will also offer an intensive Summer Biomedical Informatics Institute in May and fellows may choose to enroll in this institute. More information is available at http://hhmi.missouri.edu/informatics.


Summer semester is a full-time research program (40 hours/week). Students are not allowed to enroll in formal coursework while participating as a HRF. Fellows will be required to participate in weekly meetings to discuss science in the news and learn about journalistic practices. Fellows will also contribute to the SciXchange science news website (http://scixchange.missouri.edu). The Summer Program culminates with a recognition ceremony and formal poster session on Thursday, July 26th, at which all fellows present their research project results.


During the academic year, fellows conduct research for an average of 10 hours/week during both semesters and are expected to continue to participate in weekly meetings, interact with undergraduate Science Journalism Interns, and contribute to the SciXchange website (total committment of 12-15 hours/week). In addition, fellows will attend a scientific conference with their faculty mentor and present a research poster at the Spring Forum.


Fellows receive a $6,500 stipend ($3,700 for the summer + $2,800 for the academic year). Stipends are considered as 'scholarship income' - please see the special note below. Students are encouraged to enroll for 3 hours of research credit (honors credit if eligible) through their major department each semester. [Note: The C3 Program does not cover enrollment fees and educational expenses.]


All Hughes Research Fellowship applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted via e-mail to mulscc3program@missouri.edu with the subject line "HRF Application - Last Name". Applicants should include mention of any communication or journalism experience (formal or informal) within their personal statement. The application deadline (including recommendation letters) is Friday, February 10, 2012. Recommendation letters will NOT be accepted after February 10th. Students graduating before May 2013 are not eligible to apply.


NOTE: Life sciences undergraduates interested in Hughes Research Fellowships are encouraged to register for the class J4268/J7268 "Strategic Communication Practicum" – please contact Jon Stemmle (instructor) for more info or class consent at stemmlej@missouri.edu.


Stipend Information

Undergraduate research stipends are considered to be 'scholarship income' and will be processed through the MU Office of Financial Aid. Upon acceptance of the fellowship in April, the MU Office of Financial Aid will be provided with your name, student ID number, and stipend amount. This will be calculated into your financial aid package. The stipend may impact your financial aid package. Students are encouraged to discuss this with their MU financial aid advisor prior to accepting the fellowship.


After the MU Office of Financial Aid processes the stipend payment, the payment will be placed in your MU student account. If you have any outstanding payments owed to the University (i.e., bookstore charges, housing, parking tickets, etc.), these payments will be taken care of first, before a refund check is issued. More detailed information will be provided in April to students who are selected for fellowships.


NCAA Athletes: If you are an intercollegiate athlete, your fellowship stipend (as scholarship income) may impact your athletic scholarship or eligibility. You should discuss participation in the research fellowship program with your compliance officer before accepting a Hughes Research Fellowship.


Finding a Faculty Mentor and Developing a Project

You must identify a MU faculty mentor and, together with your mentor, develop an idea for a research project in the life sciences. You are encouraged to check MU websites with faculty research listings and you are strongly encouraged to consider faculty mentors both outside of and within your undergraduate major department.


Your faculty mentor must be able to guide you in the development of your project and mentor you in the laboratory setting. HRF projects may be best served by faculty co-mentors. If you have co-mentors, one mentor should agree to be the primary mentor. In this case, you should request recommendation letters from both faculty mentors. You may wish to include a third letter from a science class instructor if your mentors have not had you in a class.


You and your mentor should agree on the nature and scope of your project, your method of inquiry, a timetable, and the means by which you will meet your personal educational goals. Your project should be hypothesis driven and provide a significant intellectual and educational experience. You must demonstrate a clear relationship between your project and important research questions in the life sciences. If you have questions about the appropriateness of the research project (e.g., does it fall within the general guidelines of collaborative, computational research), please discuss the project with the C3 Program Coordinator prior to application.


The Committee looks favorably on project proposals that are developed and written by the student; however, the initial idea for the project need not be student-generated. The project idea may come from the faculty mentor.


Your faculty mentor will need to provide a letter of recommendation. Please make sure your faculty mentor reads the Faculty Mentor Information (PDF). This page includes additional information specific to Hughes Research Fellowships.


Student Eligibility

Applicants must be MU students who will have completed at least two semesters as an MU college student prior to the start of their fellowship. They must commit to a 12-month fellowship to work with an MU faculty mentor on a life science research project that emphasizes computational biology. Fellows will collaborate with journalism students to develop science communication skills and actively contribute to the SciXchange website. Students who will graduate before May 2013 are ineligible for funding.


Current MU freshman are eligible to apply, if they will have completed two semesters as a full-time student at MU (Fall 2011 and Spring 2012). It is expected that freshmen will have been working with their faculty mentor for at least three months prior to the application deadline and that their project will be suitable for a research fellowship.


Students who have received prior funding from other programs (e.g. LS UROP) may apply for additional funding to continue their project with their faculty mentor or seek another mentor/project to broaden their experience.


There is no limit to the number of students that may apply to work with one faculty member. However, the Committee expects that the faculty member will make appropriate arrangements for mentoring the students. It is also expected that the faculty mentor will provide the committee with recommendation letters that clearly compare the students applying to work under his/her mentoring. As final award decisions are made, the Committee members value this input from the mentor.


If you have questions on eligibility, please contact the Program Coordinator at mulscc3program@missouri.edu.


Selection and Notification

Applications will be reviewed based on student merit, research and career goals, interest in science communication, and faculty letters of recommendation. Funding priority will be given to projects that collaborative and computational methods. Review and final selections are expect to take 4-6 weeks. As soon as final decisions are made, we will contact students and faculty by e-mail.


We expect to fund 12-14 Hughes Research Fellows with C3 Program funds. You may use the same research project description and letters of recommendation for HRF and LS UROP applications. All HRF applications must be submitted separately by e-mail.


HRF Application Instructions

Applications and recommendation letters should be e-mailed to mulscc3program@missouri.edu with the subject line "HRF Application - Last Name". The deadline is Friday, February 10, 2012. You may apply for HRF and LS UROP with the same project description and letters of recommendation, but the two applications must be submitted separately. A complete HRF application must include:


1) Two page application form. Download as a PDF or Word document.

2) Project Description (2 typed pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced). Although you should consult with your mentor, you should write the project description.


The Office of Undergraduate Research (150 Bond Life Sciences Center) has a green notebook that contains sample project proposals as well as suggestions from faculty reviewers on writing excellent proposals. Please take advantage of this resource.


The project description should include the following:

  • Title of your project (6-20 words)
  • Introduction: Introduce the topic, explain the problem, put your research into the context of the "big" picture. Explain why the general topic is a significant issue in the life sciences and how computational approaches will contribute to your research. Refer to the current literature (see below).
  • Purpose: Clear and concise question(s) to be answered or hypothesis(es) to be tested.
  • Methods: A description of research approaches, information to be collected, planned analyses, and activities to be accomplished during the funding period. Do not include detailed experimental techniques/protocols. Cite references or give the standard name of the technique/protocol and include a description of why these methods are being used to answer your research question.
  • Expected Results/Significance: Explain what your results may yield in terms of filling an important gap in our understanding of a particular question in the life sciences and/or how your research relates to a significant issue or concept in the life sciences.
  • Involvement: Describe what you (the student) will actually do. Use simple terms to describe how you will contribute to the project indicating how you will spend your time.
  • Literature Review: You are expected to read appropriate background literature (i.e., journal articles). Use citations in the body of the project proposal, but the list of articles cited should be included at the end and may be put on a separate page (not counted towards page limit).


Students are advised to use the full two pages (four pages double spaced) for their project proposal. Proposals that are shorter should be revised for more depth and detail (do not simply "fill the space" with experimental protocol detail). Margins should be 1 inch. Text may be single or double spaced and font size should be 11 - 12 points. Use your discretion and make the proposal readable.


3) A personal statement (1 typed page single, 2 pages double). Relate your educational objectives for this fellowship program to your long-range career objectives and professional goals. Additionally, describe your interest science journalism or communication, and any demonstrated strengths in these areas. Experience can be formal or informal: include any relevant college coursework, experience with your high school newspaper, websites/blogs you have authored, or short videos you have produced.


4) An MU transcript, including Fall 2011 grades from myZou. An "official transcript" on blue paper is not required.


5) Two letters of recommendation. Select letter writers that will be able to describe your interest/success in the life sciences, potential as a researcher, and academic and critical thinking skills. General letters about character and leadership abilities are generally not as helpful for this type of application. See below for details.


Letters of Recommendation

1) Applicants applying for both Hughes Research Fellowships and LS UROP internships may use the same letters of recommendation. Letters for Hughes Research Fellowships must be e-mailed to mulscc3program@missouri.edu.


2) One letter must be from your proposed research mentor. Please make sure s/he reads the Faculty Mentor Information (PDF).


3) Your second letter should be from another regular science faculty member. Do not use graduate student TAs, lab technicians, or non-science faculty for this letter. You are encouraged to request a letter from a faculty member from whom you have taken a class, your advisor, or someone with whom you have had prior research or lab experience.


4) You may include a third recommendation letter (optional). The third letter may be from another science faculty member, another scientist, a non-science faculty member, or a staff member.


5) If you have prior research experience within the past twelve months, you must have your supervisor/mentor from that experience provide a letter of recommendation or explain in your application why you did not obtain that letter.


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MU Life Sciences, 105 Bond Life Sciences Center, lifesciences@missouri.edu, 573-882-4544. Updated 7/6/2011