Stony Brook University is one of the most highly touted researchinstitutions in the state, if not the country. SBU is home to manynationally renowned scientists, and has recently been credited witha Nobel Prize in Medicine for research done in the development ofthe MRI.
However, due to these various scientific accolades, StonyBrook’s focus on undergraduate research is often overlooked.Even at the undergraduate level, SBU recognizes that science is notsomething that can be fully understood simply through lectures andtextbooks.
‘Research is a very important aspect of manystudents’ lives here,’ said Karen Kernan, director ofUndergraduate Research and Creative Activities. ‘It has itsown value that is independent of any science lecture, and gives anew perspective on what students learn in class.’
Stony Brook is home to a diverse array of research fields inmany disciplines of science, including Biology, Biochemistry,Physics, and Chemistry. For example, Dr. Kenneth Marcu, a professorof Biochemistry, leads a lab that focuses on the cascade ofreactions that occur during a normal inflammatory response.Excessive inflammation is a common immune abnormality, giving thisresearch great clinical potential.
‘Our research is paramount clinically, and is at the heartof modulating different immune responses,’ said Peter Alff, agraduate student working in Marcu’s lab. ‘Consequently,our research can ultimately lead to models for potential drugtargets and immune therapy.’
Dr. William Lennarz, chair of the Biochemistry Department andmember of the National Academy of Sciences, is well known for hiswork in protein modification and degradation within cells.
‘Much of our work deals with how proteins are modifiedwithin cells,’ said Alff. This is pertinent because proteinquality is absolutely essential for a living cell.’
Undergraduates have also played a prominent role in many ofthese labs. Oumou Diallo, a junior majoring in Biochemistry, isdoing significant work in Dr. Hermann Schindelin’s lab.
‘I do a lot of protein purification and crystallization,which is a really intense process,’ said Diallo. ‘Butit’s still really important since by crystallizing proteins,we’re able to layout their overall structure, and thusclarify how they actually work.’
The university promotes undergraduate research through manydifferent mediums, including department websites, websitesdescribing specific research interests and research fellowships.All of this information is easily accessible through the navigationof Stony Brook’s home page. The only thing required of anystudent is to spend some time looking through the opportunitiesavailable to them.
‘Students need to invest an initial amount of time lookingthrough the publications of our faculty, or even go to variouslectures to see what may interest them,’ said Kernan.’Though this process may be frustrating at times, it’sundoubtedly necessary.’
Stony Brook’s affiliation with Brookhaven National Labsprovides students with an even greater number of opportunities. Insum, the amount and quality of research opportunities available tostudents is undeniably unique.
‘Stony Brook does quite a bit to encourage undergraduateresearch, as far as universities go,’ said Dr. Robert Kerber,undergraduate director of Chemistry.
Students are encouraged to participate in research as early aspossible in their undergraduate careers. In fact, in some cases,students currently attending the university participated inresearch programs while still in high school, said Kernan.
‘The more time you spend in research, the more of a chanceyou have to contribute to not only your particular laboratory, butalso to the field of science you’re working in,’ saidKerber. ‘The more experience one has, the more one is able togo beyond the mental and physical capabilities that most studentspossess.’
Some students feel that the research experience is necessarybecause it aids their academic performance.
‘I regret not having involved myself in researchearlier,’ said Diallo. ‘Research really helps toreinforce things that I’ve already learned and currentlylearning.’
In the spirit of undergraduate research, Stony Brook is holdingan Undergraduate Research Day on April 21. Event coordinators hopethat the event will bring students of all levels together in anatmosphere similar to that of conferences held by establishedscientists. For more information on Undergraduate Research Day, andundergraduate research in general, visitwww.stonybrook.edu/ureca.
