Best Practices for Supporting and Expanding Undergraduate Research in Chemistry

The aim of this volume is to share a collection of best practices currently employed by faculty and administrators to support and expand undergraduate research in chemistry at their colleges or universities. This symposium helps fill the gap between generalized or holistic assessments and individual classroom/laboratory innovations, which can serve as models for adoption. The book is divided into four parts: Early Career Experiences, Upper Division Opportunities, Program and Curricular Reform, and Mentoring and Assessment. Overall, this volume provides a snapshot of curricular and programmatic best practices in engaging a broad spectrum of students in undergraduate research.

Bridget L. Gourley is the Percy Lavon Julian Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at DePauw University. At DePauw, she has served as Director of the Women in Science (WIS) Program, the Science Research Fellows (SRF) Program, department chair, and Chair of the Faculty. Her current research interests span both theoretical modeling of laser molecular interaction and the study of water in confined environments and transport across interfacial boundaries via a variety of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopies. Professor Gourley is committed to inclusive strategies that increase the participation of under-served students. She, with colleagues, had an NSF ADVANCE PAID award to research best practices regarding peer mentoring strategies for senior women chemists and physicists. She earned her B.S. from the University of Puget Sound in chemistry and mathematics and her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from University of Utah.

Rebecca M. Jones earned a BA in chemistry from The Ohio State University, with honors in the liberal arts and with distinction in chemistry. She then worked as an industrial chemist until matriculating to the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a MS and PhD in inorganic chemistry in 2004. She earned tenure at Austin Peay State University and then relocated to George Mason University to begin Students as Scholars, Mason's undergraduate research program. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at Mason in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the STEM Accelerator in the College of Science, where she regularly teaches general and inorganic chemistry and works to improve outcomes for STEM students. Her research interests include improving STEM education, gender bias, faculty research mentoring, and student development related to undergraduate research experiences. She is an active member of the American Chemical Society, the president of Mason's chapter of Sigma Xi, and an elected chemistry councilor on the Council on Undergraduate Research.