For more than 25 years Texas Tech's Center for the Integration of STEM Education & Research (CISER) has offered support for an authentic research experience for College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources undergraduates, starting with what's known as the Undergraduate Research Scholars. STEM is shorthand for science, technology, engineering and math.

Among the CASNR students involved in the program this year are:

• Adam Castillo, a senior food science/chemical engineering major from Kingwood, Texas; Mentor: Hongjun Liang, an associate professor of cell physiology & molecular biophysics with Tech's Department of Chemical Engineering
• Austin Hargrove, a senior natural resources management major from Amarillo, Texas; Mentor: Richard Stevens, an associate professor of biodiversity and conservation biology with Tech's Department of Natural Resources Management
• Madeleine Thornley, a senior natural resources management major from Flower Mound, Texas; Mentor: Clint Boal, a professor of wildlife biology with Tech's Department of Natural Resources Management

The CISER center focuses on early and continuous involvement in long-term STEM service and research projects, including presenting and publishing their research. The more than 550 Tech scholars from across the university who've gone through the program have had 130 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and many of those articles have the student scholars as the first author. Outstanding faculty from across the Texas Tech University System, make the program possible through their leadership and undergraduate research mentoring and support.

"Our faculty mentors really care about the students, and can make all the difference in a valuable and authentic undergraduate experience," said Julie Isom, CISER's Associate Program Director of Undergraduate Research.

Alumni of the CISER program have gone on to careers in research, medicine and law, among others, and the experience they receive through working their own part of a research problems cannot be gained in any other way, she said. In addition, the activities the programs offer expose students to different disciplines, backgrounds and cultures, transforming their undergraduate experience.

0506NM19 / Editor's Note: For more information on the CISER undergraduate research program and how to become involved, visit their website here