Chem4REAL: Research Engages All Learners

Chemistry representatives from CUR sat down with Ashley Vater from the University of California, Davis, to talk about the Design to Data (D2D) program that she manages. They discussed the history and purpose of the D2D program, a national undergraduate research network focused on protein science. Ashley explained that the program was created to address the limitations of traditional teaching metho...

Chemistry representatives of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) have a conversation with the Senior Program Manager, Ali Chunovic, at the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation . Ali details the opportunities for finding funds that support undergraduate research, including basic research funding and opportunities to connect with leaders in the field by facilitating their visits to undergrad...

CUR representatives Joe Baker (The College of New Jersey), Bridget Gourley (DePauw University), Codrina Popescu (University of St. Thomas), Katie Mauck (Kenyon College), and Kari Stone (Lewis University) discuss their approaches to effective faculty networking. The conversation highlights how professional networks are crucial for career growth and support and the importance of these networks for i...

CUR representatives Joe Baker (TCNJ), Bridget Gourley (DePauw University), Vanessa McCaffrey (Albion College), and Kari Stone (Lewis University) talk about strategies for effectively managing the undergraduate research enterprise in your laboratory. Tips for coupling your research to your teaching for maximum productivity for faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions and how to articulate th...

CUR representatives Joe Baker (TCNJ), Katie Mauck (Kenyon), Vanessa McCaffrey (Albion College) and Kari Stone (Lewis University) talk about their paths to their academic careers at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) and share some advice to other young professionals thinking about a career in academics.

New representatives chat with Prof. Vanessa McCaffrey about how they heard about CUR Chemistry and why they decided to get involved. In this episode, we hear from Dr. John Kirk from Carthage College and learn about his science and goals for his participation in CUR. Dr. Kirk's website: https://www.carthage.edu/live/profiles/747-john-kirk To learn more about CUR Chemistry, visit: https://www.cu...

Often students find that majoring in chemistry limits their ability to have experiences abroad relative to their peers in the humanities and social sciences. Listen and learn about one example of a program designed to give chemistry students both an international and research experience. CUR Representative Dr. Kari Stone (Associate Professor of Chemistry at Lewis University) talks with Dr. Kyle Gr...

New representatives chat with Prof. Vanessa McCaffrey about how they heard about CUR Chemistry and why they decided to get involved. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Pius Adelani from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX and learn about his science and goals for their participation in CUR. To learn more about Dr. Adelani, please visit: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/faculty/pius-adela...

New representatives chat with Prof. Vanessa McCaffrey about how they heard about CUR Chemistry and why they decided to get involved. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Sarah Shaner from Southeast Missouri State University and learn about her science and goals for her participation in CUR. Dr. Shaner's website: https://semo.edu/people-directory/faculty-staff/shaner-sarah.html To learn more about...

CUR Chemistry Representatives Joe Baker, Sudeep Bhattarcharyay, Bridget Gourley and Kari Stone talk about how they are using AI as a tool to enhance teaching and research. They discuss the metacognitive abilities of AI tools like Google Bard and ChatGPT and how these tools can lead to better outcomes for both professors and students. Resources: Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry: Current Trends...

Dr. Michael Wolyniak and Dr. Nicole Najor from the CUR Biology division joined Dr. Kari Stone from Lewis University to talk about MIRIC - Mentoring the Integration of Research Into the Classroom . The MIRIC Initiative is a way to provide a means for new, mid-career, and future faculty to receive long-term mentorship in Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences, CUREs. Mike and Nicole talk ab...

Members of the Chem4Real podcasting group talk about the evolution of the podcast from the early days of faculty talking about how they navigated teaching during the pandemic to the current slate of episodes dealing with topics ranging from DEI to mentoring.

Undergraduate Research - every student wants it but how do we balance the demands on our time and provide the authentic research experiences that we know are so valuable? Councilors Catherine Chan and Sudeep Bhattacharyay talk with Dr. Cheri Barta, Undergraduate Research Director for the Department of Chemistry at University of Wisconsin-Madison about current challenges that practitioners of under...

In this episode, CUR Councilor Vanessa McCaffrey talks with Professor Mike Leopold from the University of Richmond about his 2022 CUR Mentor of the Year award from the Chemistry Division. Their conversation ranges from owl attacks, to models of mentoring in the research space to how research with undergraduates evolves and changes over time.

Cavagnero Description : In this episode, CUR Councilor Vanessa McCaffrey talks with Professor Silvia Cavagnero from University of Wisconsin - Madison about her 2022 CUR Mentor of the Year award from the Chemistry Division. Nominated by her former undergraduate research student, Dr. Brian Mounce (currently an Assistant Professor at Loyola University), Silvia joins Vanessa for an interview with two...

In this episode we hear from Dr. Kari Stone, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Lewis University, and Dr Sarah Shaner, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University, as they discuss undergraduate research collaborations that support student training while maximizing faculty output.

In this episode, CUR Councilor Vanessa McCaffrey talks with Professor Paul Wagenknecht from Furman College about his 2022 CUR Mentor of the Year award from the Chemistry Division. Professor Wagenknecht talks about the importance of collaboration and how his mentors have shaped his experiences in chemistry.

In this episode, CUR Councilor Vanessa McCaffrey talks with Professor Mark Bussell from Western Washington University about his 2022 CUR Mentor of the Year award from the Chemistry Division. From talking about students to advice on how to best choose a project that fits the students you have, Dr. Bussell shares his experiences on what led to his award. As soon as they are available, transcripts ca...

Has the resilience of college campuses changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic?  In this episode, we have assembled chemistry faculty from a range of institution types and from across our country.  Together we explore how COVID has, or hasn’t, changed the college experience both for students and for faculty.

There’s nothing magical about the laboratory, and yet for many of us undergraduate research is the turning point in our careers. In this episode, Professor Chris Chang reflects on his journey from the bench to Berkeley and how his persistence, tenacity and wonder led to his success. As soon as they are available, transcripts can be found on the Chem4REAL blog at https://curchem.wordpress.com/ Reso...

How can students navigate a system that may not be welcoming to them? Moreover, how can we, as academic professionals, support all students? In this episode, two Asian students in STEM share their experiences and provide perspectives that benefit all students, faculty, and staff. Throughout the episode, suggestions are provided to help all think about how individuals from different backgrounds hav...

Our students don’t study or perform research in a vacuum; current events deeply impact them. In this episode, Professor Venugopal Mukku in the Department of Math, Science, and Technology at the University of Minnesota Crookston speaks with students about the impacts of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent murder trial on themselves and their college experiences. To allow the students to explore...

As academics, it is our responsibility to create an open, inclusive learning environment for all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, and all other dimensions of diversity. In this episode of the Chem4REAL podcast, Drs. Amy Deveau and Toni Barstis interview their LGBTQIA+ former students,...

In this episode Dr. Lindsey Davis, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry, discusses diversity in hiring and the Berry College DEI statement with her Provost Dr. Mary Boyd.  Together they explore reasons for broadening faculty diversity, tips on how to bring about a more equitable hiring process, and what exactly to put into a DEI statement. In particular they discuss how some of our standa...

In this two-part episode, three STEM students/professionals in the LatinX community engage in a frank discussion about their personal journeys in obtaining higher education in STEM.  During a conversation moderated by Dr. Hector Palencia, Professor of Chemistry at University of Nebraska, Kearney, these three individuals boldly discuss their challenges as immigrants to the U.S., including expe...