NSF grant funds research, helps shape future scientists

The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant totaling nearly $460,000 to support undergraduate research in biochemistry at Grand Valley State University.

“The research will focus on specific proteins in all of our cells that regulate the cellular ‘skeleton’; a structure that is involved in virtually every cellular process,” said primary investigator, Brad Wallar, who is an associate professor of chemistry at Grand Valley. “Results could help scientists to better understand and control cell division and movement.”

This grant-funded program will involve undergraduate students in cutting edge research, teach them the critical skills needed to perform independent research, and provide the opportunity to apply their skills on a high impact project.

“Many of the faculty at Grand Valley came here because we love working with students,” said Wallar. “Half of the students that will be working on these research projects will be either first generation or nontraditional college students in the sciences. I think it really helps to spark the enthusiasm for their future careers, whether it’s working in the science industry or going on to graduate or medical school.”

In addition to the necessary research supplies, the grant will provide funds to hire four students on a full time basis in the summer for each of the three years. “This funding really allows them to focus on their scientific projects,” said Wallar.

Each student will be working with Wallar on an independent aspect of the overall research project. Wallar’s role as an advisor will involve training them to use instrumentation, consulting past results from scientific papers, analyzing new data, designing new experiments, and enhancing their oral and written presentation skills. Students will be required to present their individual research results at a national meeting, and aim to be involved in the publication of their research in a peer reviewed scientific journal.

Wallar also praises the state-of-the-art facilities at Grand Valley’s Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences that allow teaching and research projects that contribute on a national level.

“I believe that these laboratories can help us secure future grants as well,” said Wallar. “Whether in the sciences, or any field of study, Grand Valley is able to provide individualized attention and opportunities to produce students who are nationally recognized.”