Johnson Michael D L, Knox Corey J
Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2022 Apr 4;23(1). doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00335-21. eCollection 2022 Apr.
Summer undergraduate research experiences (SUREs) provide important onramps to secondary STEM graduate degrees and subsequent careers. Studies demonstrate that these experiences increase the likelihood of students advancing to a graduate-level STEM degree, positively impact STEM identity and confidence, and imbue a sense of professional belonging. In 2020, COVID-19 shutdowns eliminated many in-person SUREs. In response, we launched the National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP). While NSURP addressed an immediate need for a flexible research experience, we found that this model extends access to underrepresented minorities because it provides authentic research experiences for students who are unable to travel to a research location, and/or who have familial responsibilities that necessitate a flexible work model, and/or students facing financial challenges. What began as an emergency summer research program for undergraduates to address laboratory closures resulted in what we believe is a necessary and normalized addition to the undergraduate STEM training and preparation repertoire.
暑期本科研究经历（SUREs）为攻读二级STEM研究生学位及后续职业发展提供了重要的切入点。研究表明，这些经历增加了学生攻读研究生阶段STEM学位的可能性，对STEM身份认同和自信心产生积极影响，并赋予一种职业归属感。2020年，新冠疫情导致许多实地开展的SUREs项目取消。作为应对措施，我们启动了国家暑期本科研究项目（NSURP）。虽然NSURP满足了对灵活研究经历的迫切需求，但我们发现，这种模式扩大了弱势群体的参与机会，因为它为那些无法前往研究地点、和/或有家庭责任而需要灵活工作模式的学生、和/或面临经济挑战的学生提供了真实的研究经历。最初作为一项针对本科生的紧急暑期研究项目，以应对实验室关闭的情况，最终我们认为它成为了本科STEM培训与准备体系中必要且常态化的一部分。
