San Francisco Students Intern in Big Sky Country

Students from San Francisco with diverse backgrounds and limited research experience are spending the summer at the
University of Montana studying pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology and environmental sciences.

The NSF-supported Undergraduate Summer Diversity Research Program links San Francisco State University, which serves a
large minority student body, with the University of Montana. There are nine students who come to Missoula, Mont. where
they experience "Big Sky Country" in addition to learning more about research. Most of the students have never traveled
outside the San Francisco area and none has had laboratory experience.

The students work with top-notch scientists in seminars throughout the summer and are required to conduct research and
present their findings at the end of the program. The program is in its second year.

Previous students report they have found opportunities to work at labs and been encouraged to continue their educations,
in medical school for instance, as a result of their experiences. The program is supported through NSF’s Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). [Bill Harms]

Gay S. Allison

Assistant to Co-Director

NSF EPSCoR

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT 59812-1552

406-243-2617

406-243-5228 (FAX)

http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/tip020722.htm#fourth