Please save the dates June 5-8 to attend a DNA Barcoding CUREs workshop. This workshop is brought to you from the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Labs in New York. An application for fpg will be submitted shortly for the summer workshop.

Please join us for a comprehensive introduction to popular experiments in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing developed by the DNA Learning Center (DNALC).  Included are three experiments in personal genetics: Alu insertion Polymorphism, Bitter Taste Receptor Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), and Mitochondrial (Mt) Control Region DNA Sequence Variations.  The DNA barcoding experiments uses DNA sequence variation in Mt or chloroplast genes to positively identify plants and animals. The experiments entail the entire data life cycle – including data generation, database searches, and analysis using the DNALC’s bioinformatic tool, DNA Subway.  The workshop introduces a new method to produce affordable Taq polymerase and to introduce biotech workforce skills into your classes.

DNA barcoding fulfills the promise of modern, Internet-enabled biology—allowing students to work with the same data, with the same tools, at the same time as high-level researchers. A short "DNA barcode" (about 600 nucleotides in length) is a unique pattern of DNA sequence that can potentially identify any living thing. DNA barcoding projects can stimulate independent student thinking across different levels of biological organization, linking molecular genetics to ecology and evolution—with the potential to contribute new scientific knowledge about biodiversity, conservation biology, and human effects on the environment.

DNA barcoding provides a practical way to bring open-ended experimentation into biology classes. The core wet lab and bioinformatic analyses can be mastered in a relatively short time, allowing students projects lasting a single academic term. Using DNA barcoding as the common method for multiple student projects decreases the need for intensive, expert preparation and mentoring—enabling meaningful research by large numbers of students.

Faculty who complete each workshop receive a $500 stipend for implementing in the fall. They will receive year-round mentoring and support as they implement in their classes, including free reagents and DNA sequencing. Faculty are asked to participate in a series of evaluation activities, beginning with workshop evaluation. Faculty who go on to implement in the classroom will also be asked about their experiences and those of their students. A limited number of travel awards will be offered to participants on a first-come basis.

Facilitators are Dr. Bruce Nash and Dr,. Dave Micklos:

Bruce Nash

Assistant Director for Science at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center.

Bruce Nash holds an undergraduate degree in genetics from the University of Alberta and a doctorate in medical and molecular genetics from the University of Toronto, where he studied the genes that guide axonal growth cones and migrating cells during development. He has expertise in developmental biology, cell biology, genetics and microscopy. After completing a postdoctoral position at the University of Oregon he joined the DNALC in 2005, where he develops, disseminates, supports and teaches high school and college level curricula. While at the DNALC, he has developed approaches that support authentic research by students using RNA interference, DNA barcoding, and metabarcoding. In each case, this curriculum is designed to integrate bioinformatics, molecular biology, and the flexibility to support many research projects with unified methods. He is an avid sailor and gardener.

Dave Micklos

 Founder and executive director of the DNA Learning Center (DNALC) and InnovATEBIO Co-PI

Dave Micklos is the founder and executive director of the DNA Learning Center (DNALC), the world’s first science center devoted to public genetics education. The DNALC is an operating unit of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), ranked #1 among academic institutions worldwide for the proportion of research articles published in high impact journals of the Nature Index. The DNALC was the model for hands-on lab programs at 18 museums and higher education institutions around the world. Dave’s three textbooks, DNA Science, Laboratory DNA Science, and Genome Science helped popularize DNA education in high school and college classrooms. Each year, over 500,000 students use commercial lab kits developed by the DNALC, analyze DNA sequences using DNALC bioinformatics tools, or do experiments at the DNALC or an allied center. In addition to InnovATEBIO, Dave is co-PI of CyVerse, a national cyberinfrastructure for biology research. Through these and other grant-funded programs, Dave advocates for broad participation in student research using DNA sequence analysis and high-performance computing. He received the 1990 Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Education, the 2011 Science Prize for Online Resources in Education, and the 2012 Genetics Society of America Award for Excellence in Education. Dave is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and is the only CSHL staff member to receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from its Watson School of Biological Sciences

Registration link: Please Click here to register for this event.  

March 3, 2023

9AM to 1.45 PM and optional meet and greet from 2-4 PM.

Location: Hybrid: Either in person at Gateway Community College (Copper Room) or Virtually through WebEx meeting.

Presenters:

3 NSF program directors will be sharing their grant writing expertise:

Dr. Celeste Carter (Lead for ATE program)

Dr. Mike Davis (Lead for HSI program)

Dr. Kalyn Owens (Lead for the Advancing Innovation and Impact in Undergraduate STEM Education at Two-year Institutions of Higher Education Program Description)

Please Click here to register for this event.  

The STEAM and Sustainability Initiative is hosting “The community college day: NSF grant writing workshop” where you will have 3 stellar program directors, Dr. Carter, Dr. Davis, and Dr. Owens sharing their knowledge and expertise on writing competitive NSF grants. Please come to learn about all Division of Undergraduate Education funding opportunities for community and technical colleges.

If you are thinking of a new innovative, creative, transformational project to help your students learn and are wondering about funding opportunities, please attend this NSF Community College Day. If you are already considering writing an NSF grant, please bring your innovative ideas to discuss and get feedback on how to make it a competitive and winning proposal. You will increase your understanding of the NSF review process, learn about the intellectual merit and broader impact of the merit review process, and learn the nuts and bolts of writing a competitive NSF proposal.

In addition, you will have an opportunity to meet with Dr. Celeste Carter for a one-on-one session in person from 2-4 PM to discuss your project ideas. Please contact Dr. Pushpa Ramakrishna (Pushpa.ramakrishna@domail.maricopa.edu) to schedule the individual consultation sessions to discuss your project ideas with Dr. Carter and get feedback.

This event is approved for 4.5 clock hours FPG.