This award, made to Rice University by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences, provides research training for 10 weeks. The focus of this NSF REU program is biological networks, complex interactions among biomolecules that give rise to the diverse biological phenotypes observed in nature. In this summer REU, students will work on research projects under faculty mentors that draw from a range of approaches (classical biochemical and genetic to non-trivial theoretical models that require computation) to study naturally-occurring genetic networks, artificial genetic and metabolic networks, and biomolecular structure, function, and evolution. This program will also provide: a creative opportunity for students to develop innovative biotechnological ideas; leadership, mentorship and social retreats; special seminars and career development workshops; stipend and travel support; on-campus housing; a capstone research poster symposium; and an ethics and responsible conduct of research discussion seminar. Students will be recruited nationwide, with particular emphasis on recruiting women and under-represented minorities from the places with limited access to STEM research (e.g., community colleges) and selection of students will be done based on the faculty steering committee’s evaluation of each applicant’s transcript and recommendation letters. Assessment of this program is done via pre-and post-questionnaires as well by using the NSF’s common assessment tool. More information on this program can be obtained by contacting Pedro Muniz at pm20@rice.edu. Program directors are Dr. Natasha Kirienko (kirienko@rice.edu) and Dr. Joff Silberg (joff@rice.edu).

• Students will be recruited nationwide, with particular emphasis on recruiting women and under-represented minorities from the places with limited access to STEM research (e.g., community colleges) and selection of students will be done based on the faculty steering committee’s evaluation of each applicant’s transcript and recommendation letters.