American Physiological Society names local nursing student as Undergraduate Research Fellow
The American Physiological Society (APS) has awarded Christine Seames, nursing student at UND, a 2009 Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Fellowship winners spend the summer in the laboratory of an established scientist and APS member. Now in its 10th year, this program aims to excite and encourage students about careers in biomedical research. In 2009, 51 applicants vied for the 24 research positions.
Seames will be working in the laboratory of Dr. Cindy Anderson, interim associate dean of research and assistant professor at the UND College of Nursing, on Anderson’s research to study vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women from the rural, northern plains.
The research project involves biochemical analysis to determine relationships between maternal nutrient status and peri-natal outcomes. Christine will complete experiments on placental tissue to identify differences in nutrient transport in women with hypertension in pregnancy and those who had normal blood pressure. She has been involved in this project for one year, participating in recruitment and data collection. Now she will be involved in the analysis and interpretation of data.
Selection of Fellowship participants was based upon academic merit, the perceived quality of the proposed experience and the availability of appropriate faculty mentors. Special consideration was given to applicants whose socioeconomic background, access to educational opportunities, and other life experiences suggest that they would especially benefit from this type of program.
Each fellow receives a $4,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the 10-week fellowship. Fellows also will receive an additional $1,300 in travel funds to present their research at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting, which is expected to attract nearly 14,000 scientists.
The Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships program is sponsored by the APS Career Opportunities in Physiology Committee and funded by the APS Council. To find out more about APS log onto www.the-aps.org/education/index.htm.
-- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Officer, College of Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 701-777-4526 |