Analysis of Stress in Biological Systems:
an NSF-UBM project at LMU
  
What is the ASBS program? A two-year program of study integrating biology and mathematics through in-depth summer research programs between the sophomore and junior years, and again between the junior and senior years, together with coursework and additional research credit during the academic year.  
What are the eligibility requirements? Sophomores with interest in biology and mathematics are welcome to apply. A year of calculus and a year of biology are strongly recommended. You'll need at least one (calc or bio), and both would be better.
  
What are the benefits?

$3000 stipend each summer!
Room and board each summer!
Academic year credit for research.
Travel expenses for presenting your work at scientific conferences.
A unique educational experience that will separate your from other graduates.

  
What exactly will I do?

Spring of your sophomore year, sign up for Math 298: Introduction to Biomathematics. This course will prepare you for the summer research and beyond.
During the summer, you'll work in a team of three students with math and bio faculty on a research project, planning experiments, collecting data, and beginning analysis. The summer project will take 8-10 weeks.
During the academic year, you will spend time on courses, and you will continue to analyze data.
During the second summer, you will continue experimental work, extending previous efforts or taking a different approach.
During your senior year, you will complete your analysis, organize your work, and write up results. A capstone course will provide an integrative experience for all participants to learn about each other's work and reflect on the two-year activity.
During the two-year program, you will also have the opportunity to present your efforts at scientific meetings.

  
How do I apply? Applications are available in rtf and pdf formats right here.
You will need to provide us your ID number, so that we can check your transcript.
You will need to have a faculty member provide us a letter of recommendation.
Full details are in the application form.
 
What are the projects? Projects include analyzing the impact of heavy metals on spiders in the Ballona Wetlands, functional genomics applied to adaptation in stressing environments, shape and asymmetries of plants and animals, and gene expression networks modeling. Detailed descriptions of the projects can be downloaded here.  
What faculty are involved? Dr. Wendy Binder, Biology, Asymmetry
Dr. Thomas Zachariah, Mathematics, Functional Genomics and Gene Expression
Dr. Kam Dahlquist, Biology, Functional Genomics and Gene Expression
Dr. Pippa Drennan, Biology, Asymmetry
Dr. Ben Fitzpatrick, Mathematics, Asymmetry and Wetlands Spiders
Dr. Gary Kuleck, Biology, Functional Genomics and Gene Expression
Dr. Martin Ramirez, Biology, Wetlands Spiders		  
How can I learn more? Talk to any of the faculty above!