Crystal Sarnor, a junior biology major, completed a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at the Yale University School of Medicine in Summer 2015. She worked with Drs. Megan King and Paolo Columbi to study the function of protein complexes embedded in the nuclear membrane and their role in human genetic diseases, transcription, DNA repair, and genome organization and stability. This is her second NSF REU position. In 2014, she worked in Dr. Imara Perera’s lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University. There, she studied how plants respond to environmental stimuli.

Tamarea Jones, a senior biology major, completed her National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Oregon State University’s Institute of Neuroscience. Working with Dr. Philp Washbourne’s team, she investigated molecules involved in synapse formation, which is the place where information is exchanged between neurons. This, too, was Jones’ second NSF REU position. In 2014, she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Mahesh Thakkar, who is a member of the Department of Neurology at the University of Missouri's School of Medicine. Dr. Thakkar’s team studied the effect of alcohol on the brain’s ability to regulate sleep. Jones presented her research gathered in this position at the Alpha Chi Honor Society National Convention in Chicago in March 2015. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates are highly competitive positions. The program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to be involved in field and laboratory research activities at universities across the nation.