Chippewa Valley Times

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire undergraduate students have been granted the opportunity to conduct high-level laboratory research and training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, this summer through a nearly $600,000 National Institutes of Health grant. The new UW-Eau Claire – Mayo Clinic Regenerative Neuroscience Scholars (ReNS) program aims to provide valuable summer research opportunities for students in the fields of neuroscience and regenerative sciences.

Dr. Brad Carter, assistant professor of biology, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, "These opportunities give students additional experience and perspective that’s complementary to the education they are receiving here at UW-Eau Claire and can help them form their future planning."

The ReNS program, funded by a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) R25 grant, will support six UWEC students each year to engage in full-time research for 10 weeks under the guidance of a faculty mentor at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, students will receive professional development training through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program.

According to Dr. Carter, the program's goal is to support student involvement in research-related careers and provide opportunities in neuroscience research for students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields. He emphasized the importance of preparation for the summer research opportunities, mentioning, "Lab science is an iterative process. It’s about being able to try things, making adjustments and doing it again, and that takes time."

Katelynn Krey, a second-year student majoring in biomedical engineering, shared her excitement about the program, stating, "This program will allow me to advance my technical skills, explore research as a career and create a network of lasting relationships that will help me into my future."

Emily Sanborn, a second-year student majoring in neuroscience, also expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, mentioning, "The ReNS program is a very exciting opportunity to have the privilege to contribute to some of the groundbreaking research happening at Mayo Clinic."

Mentoring plays a crucial role in the program, with each student having multiple mentors, including a faculty mentor at Mayo Clinic, co-primary investigators Dr. Carter and Dr. Isobel Scarisbrick, and graduate student mentors in Rochester. Dr. Carter expressed his optimism for the students' experiences, stating, "I’m hopeful for this cohort, and subsequent cohorts, that this experience will help them discern how they want to apply their talents and interests in their professional lives."

The collaboration between UW-Eau Claire and Mayo Clinic is part of a formal master research agreement established in 2017, with a focus on raising awareness among students about career opportunities in neuroscience and regenerative sciences. Students will participate in a spring-semester seminar course to prepare for their summer research opportunities and present their findings at conferences in the fall semester.

Overall, the ReNS program at UW-Eau Claire provides students with a unique and valuable experience to further their research skills and explore potential career paths in the fields of neuroscience and regenerative sciences.