STUDENT APPLICATION FOR THE PHAGE HUNTERS PROJECTBASED RESEARCH LAB
at Durham Technical Community College
SEA-PHAGES Project
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters
Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) project is a researchbased laboratory course aimed at undergraduate students who are new to college-level
science and have had little or no independent research experience. During the first
semester, students isolate bacteriophages from local soil samples, purify and
characterize their phages, and select at least one phage per class for DNA sequencing.
In the second semester, the students annotate and analyze the genome. At the end of
the academic year, faculty and selected students attend the annual SEA-PHAGES
Symposium. Held in June, the Symposium is a scientific meeting at which student
representatives from each of the Alliance schools present the results of their research.
Durham Tech’s SEA-PHAGES course is a two-semester honors research lab that will
be taught as separate sections of Bio 111 in Fall 2015 and Bio 112 in Spring 2016. In
applying for this discovery-based research lab, you are committing to participate in this
two-semester project.
Section One
Name:_______________________________________________________
Student ID:____________________ Cumulative GPA:_________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
Phone:______________________ Email:___________________________
Section Two
Please submit a resume of your academic achievements including an unofficial
transcript.
Section Three
Write a 250-500 word essay on why you would like to take part in this discovery-based
research opportunity.
Specifically, include what you hope to gain from participation in the course, why you are
interested in this research experience and how participation could contribute toward
meeting your long-term academic and/or professional and personal goals.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS CHECKLIST
Materials to Submit with your Honors Program Application
☐ Verification that you have met the GPA requirement (High School: 3.0 unweighted;
College: 3.2) for admission to the Phage Hunters project.
☐ A resume and unofficial transcript
☐ An essay of 250-500 words detailing your interest in participation in the project
Meeting with one of the Phage Hunters Program directors for an interview
(may be necessary).
Please submit your application by email to:
Dr. Marie Fogarty – [email protected]
Dr. Steven Leadon – [email protected]