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Welcome to Summer
Undergraduate Research
Tom Gilmore
UROP Director
Professor, Biology Department
June 9, 2014
Undergraduate Research at BU
Summer 2014
Approximately 300 students
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Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP):
222 students (BU; Companies; Alumni; Research Grants;
HHMI)
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF): 11
(National Science Foundation)
Chem NSF-REU; CELEST; STaRS (NSF; BU Med): ~30
Beckman Foundation: 4 (Beckman Scientific)
Other: ~30 (paid from grants; volunteering; coursework; BU
Medical School)
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program (UROP)
Function: Oversees and supports most undergraduate
research at Boston University
Director: Dr. Tom Gilmore, Professor of Biology
Assistant Director: Melissa Christine; [email protected]
Program Administrator: Tina Fresta; [email protected]
Location: 143 Bay State Road
Phone: 617-353-2020
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bu.edu/urop
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program (UROP)
Function: Oversees and supports most undergraduate
research at Boston University
Director: Dr. Paul Lipton, Director of Neuroscience
Assistant Director: Melissa Christine; [email protected]
Program Administrator: Tina Fresta; [email protected]
Location: 143 Bay State Road
Phone: 617-353-2020
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bu.edu/urop
Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowship (SURF)
Function: To promote access to research-based education to
talented undergraduate students, especially among
underrepresented minorities or students from schools
without ready access to research experiences. Goal is
to ensure a diverse work-force in STEM fields.
Sponsors: National Science Foundation
Website: www.bu.edu/surf
Partner Programs: NSF-REU in Chemistry; CELEST; STaRS
Administration of SURF Program
Program Manager: Tina Fresta; [email protected]
Location: 143 Bay State Road
Phone: 617-353-2020
email: [email protected]
Website: www.bu.edu/surf
Summer Workshops for UROP
& Other Program Students
Mondays, 4-5 PM, SCI 109
(Metcalf Science Center, 590 Commonwealth Avenue)
Topics: Resume and CV writing; GRE and MCAT
Preparation; Abstract Writing and
Presentation Skills; Selected Topics in
Current Research
Workshop schedule is posted at www.bu.edu/urop
October Symposium for Undergraduate Research
Friday, October 17, 2014
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, October 18, 2013
George Sherman Union
11 AM - 2:30 PM
~240 Research Posters
UROP BBQ
Friday, July 11th
1 – 3 pm
GSU Fox Fountain
(behind George Sherman Union)
Mentors welcome to attend
BI 495: Summer Research Course
• 2-credit course offered to BU UROP students
• Students will be registered for the course during the
Fall 2014 semester
• Requirements:
1. Attendance at all summer workshops;
2. Presentation at the Fall symposium; and
3. A research paper (10-20 pages) on your summer
research (due approximately November 1, 2014)
• Dr. Gilmore is the instructor for this “course” and he
will grade the papers and assign course grades
• SIGN UP AT END OF SUMMER
UROP Summer Payments
• You will receive two payments during the summer
on:
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Friday, May 16
Friday, July 18
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Paychecks must be picked up at the Student Payroll
Office at 881 Commonwealth Avenue
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UROP students do not need to submit a timesheet
• Questions to [email protected] or 3-2020
Words of Wisdom
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Take advantage of the opportunity.
What you get out of this will be largely proportional
to the effort you put in.
Be a good team player.
Keep careful and honest records.
Be careful!
Follow the rules of the lab/workplace and the
University.
Learn from your mentor and especially those
around you.
Try to have (at least some) fun.
Trolley Problem
Philippa Ruth Foot, British philosopher (1920-2010)
Trolley Problem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem
Trolley Problem (extended)
Responsible Conduct of Research
(RCR)
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Introductory Principles from Open Seminar in
Research Ethics
http://openseminar.org/ethics/
http://www.webguru.neu.edu/
June 9, 2014
Adapted from information provided by:
Susan H. Frey, J.D.
Assistant Provost for Research Compliance
Boston Universitiy
[email protected]
Gary Comstock
ASC Fellow, National Humanities Center, 2007-09
Professor of Philosophy, NC State
Research Interests
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Each of us goes into research for
our own reasons
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intrinsically rewarding career
advance the state of scientific or
humanistic knowledge
improve the well-being of others
acquire flexibility in a work schedule
Opportunities Come with Risks
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A major risk in research involves
compromises of integrity and honesty through
research misconduct
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YOUR INTERESTS become entwined with
INTERESTS OF OTHERS
The Research Community has
Created Specific Rules to Guide You
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As a junior researcher, you will be involved in
conducting, discussing, and perhaps even
publishing your research
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Because many potential traps and ethical
dilemmas can arise, you should know how the
US National Science & Technology Council
defines “scientific misconduct”
“Research misconduct”
includes
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Fabrication -- making up data or
results and then recording or
reporting them as truth
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Falsification -- manipulating research
materials, equipment, or processes, or
changing, or omitting data or results such that
the research is not accurately represented in
the research record
“Research misconduct”
(continued)
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Plagiarism -- appropriating and using another
person's documented ideas, processes, results, or
words without giving “appropriate” credit, whether
from books, on-line materials, confidential
documents, etc.
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Research misconduct DOES NOT include errors of
judgment, errors in recording, selection or analysis
of data, or incorrect opinions.
“Research misconduct”
(continued)
Many Gray Areas Exist Around
these Definitions
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For example, sometimes an image is easier
to interpret if it is modified with image
enhancing software. If we use, for example,
Photoshop to "clean up" a digital image, are
we guilty of a federal crime? (Not necessarily-just be sure to check first with your mentor
and explain carefully what you are proposing
to do.)
Advantages of Image Manipulation
Silver Dollar Galaxy
Endothelial
Cells
Text
Amoeba
Art
Dangers of Image Manipulation
There Are Ethical Situations for
Which There is No Rule
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How do we make wise decisions under trying,
new and challenging conditions?
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rely on our peers, colleagues and mentors
(discuss what you are doing with others)
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more senior mentors can help you see dangers
that you do not perceive, guide you around
obstacles, and help you think through the ethical
implications of our work.
At Boston University
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An anonymous whistleblower hot line
http://www.bu.edu/ethics
Scroll down to REPORTING HOTLINE
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A confidential institutional official to advise on whistle-blowing:
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You may confer with Assistant Provost Susan Frey or UROP
Director Tom Gilmore on an anonymous basis.
A scientific misconduct procedure providing for an inquiry
committee of scientists to review credible allegations of
misconduct
Animals in Research
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You may use animals in your research.
Many animals are capable of pain and most
sentient species are protected by animal
welfare laws.
In addition to the law, many ethical
considerations require us to take into account
the potential suffering of all sentient beings.
If you are using animals, you will need to take
training in the proper use of animals
Basic Guidelines
An animal research protocol must have:
 A clear scientific purpose and objective
that will benefit the health of other animals
and/or humans; and
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be carried out using properly designed,
humane procedures by personnel who are
knowledgeable concerning the proper care
and handling of the species being studied.
Human Subjects in Research
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You may be using other people in your research.
In many cases, the subjects of your research may
benefit from the experience.
On the other hand, some could be harmed, even by
the best intentioned researcher.
How do we minimize the risks to each individual,
ensure that moral rights are protected, and
maximize overall well-being?
Six basic guidelines for
including humans in research
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Obtain their informed consent in writing prior to beginning the
project
Minimize risks to the person on whom the research is being
conducted
Ensure that the risks to the person are proportional to the
potential benefits that the research may bring them
Provide everyone with sufficient information about the research
that they can make an informed decision about whether to
participate
Maintain their privacy
Allow subjects to withdraw from the project at any time
Mentor’s Guidance
If you will be interviewing or polling or in any
way using people in your research,
OR
 If you will be using animals in your research
Ask your mentor for guidance; it is your
job to ensure that your activities are legal
and ethical.
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