2008 Group picture. Front row: Sean Geary, Amelia Popham, Elizabeth Dong, Dr. Mitch Sommers (Director), Zenova Williams, Carolyn Dewart, Jessica Brandvien Second Row: Brittany Gilje, Bobby Despain, Daniel Lawder, Jessica Strong, Justin Bruce, Tracy Murry, Abby Stufflebam Third Row:  Reva Stidd, Matt Odenwald, Kimberly Ingersol

Both the REU and the Research Experiences in Aging program provide:

• Individualized mentoring in research experiences in aging
• Seminars and journal clubs
• Observations in a variety of research settings
• A $3,200 stipend (paid in installments after withdrawal of applicable taxes and other customary deductions)

The program is being planned to start Wednesday, June 3 running through Tuesday, July 28.  Also there is an ethics retreat that is planned for Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14. There are group seminars and learning sessions on Wednesdays or Thursdays of each week. Each student is required to attend both the ethics retreat and the weekly group sessions. On Monday, July 27, students will participate (required) in a poster presentation by presenting a poster on the summer project.   

Activities fall into three categories:
The majority (80-85%) of participants’ time is spent working with their mentor in the laboratory setting. Researchers in the fields of anthropology, economics, computer science, engineering, psychology, social work, and biology serve as mentors. Students work on a hands-on project during the eight-week session and present their project as a poster during a poster session the final week of the program. To see pictures from previous poster sessions, visit the Activities link on the left meu.

The remaining 15-20% time is spent in seminar sessions, informal discussion sessions, lab tours, aging facility tours, and brown bag “lunch and learn” ethics in science sessions. Other topics include: applying for graduate school, participating in a journal club session, and participating in panel discussions with graduate students and others.

Students have opportunities to participate together in social outings outside of the training program including art museum and botanical garden tours,musical events, and other St. Louis happenings such as St. Louis Cardinal baseball games.

PLEASE NOTE:  Applicants are expected to participate in the program during the time of June 3, 2009 through July 28, 2009.  An on-line Attendance Agreement is a required part of the application.