About the Office of Research for Undergraduates (ORU)
The ORU encourages new and current students to engage in research. We are proud to champion the vision, marketing, and coordination of research by undergraduates at ߣߣÊÓƵ with research-active faculty and staff.
Meet Our Staff
Joyce J. Fernandes, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research and professor, Department of Biology
Joyce Fernandes, Professor of Biology, is responsible for the overall vision and direction for the Office of Research for Undergraduates.
Fernandes received a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research in Mumbai India, and joined ߣߣÊÓƵ University in 1999 having completed Post-doctoral training in Developmental Neurobiology at Yale University.
Research and Mentoring
Dr. Fernandes’ research uses the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a genetic model system to study the reorganization of motor systems and neural circuits during metamorphosis that give rise to adult-specific behaviors. Several research projects in the lab are designed to investigate cellular interactions among neurons, motor neurons, and glia that result in the developmental patterning of adult tissues.
Each year at least 8-10 undergraduates work in the Fernandes lab, and students have co-authored manuscripts, developed a research thesis, and presented at National and Regional conferences. Dr. Fernandes’ research has been funded by the National Science Foundation as well as the National Institutes of Health.
Accomplishments
Dr. Fernandes was part of the team that developed and implemented FYRE (First Year Research Experience), through a successive series of Faculty/Staff Learning Communities. She is one of three faculty who piloted a 2 semester course-based version of FYRE in 2016-17, as a model to include first-year students in authentic research.
Dr. Fernandes teaches undergraduate courses in Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology, as well as graduate seminars in her fields of interest- Neurobiology and Science Education. She has served as Principal Investigator on Institutional awards funded by the National Science Foundation to increase minority representation in the Biological Sciences, through a focus on undergraduate research and mentoring, as well as a Major Research Instrumentation award.
More recently, Dr Fernandes has been involved in improving retention in first-year courses, through collaborative projects with graduate student instructors.
Service
Dr. Fernandes serves on the education committee of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), is a Councilor in the Biology Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research, co-chairs the Advocacy Committee for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), and serves as an Advisory Board member of Ohio-PKAL network (STEM focus at AACU). Dr. Fernandes served (2012-2014) as Program Officer at the National Science Foundation, in the Division of Biological Infrastructure, where she managed programs in Major Research Instrumentation and Instrument Development for Biological Research.
Fabienne Bohon
Coordinator of Undergraduate Research
Fabienne Bohon, coordinator for the Office of Research for Undergraduates, has worked at ߣߣÊÓƵ University since 2008. She has supported students in many capacities, including as a financial aid counselor, in support of recreational programs at Goggin Ice Center, and as assistant director in the Lilly Leadership Institute.
Prior to her tenure at ߣߣÊÓƵ, Fabienne held sales and administrative positions at DuPont Agricultural Products, Black and Decker and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Fabienne calls on her wealth of experience servicing customers and students, along with a keen eye for details and program management to increase student engagement in research and creative efforts. She strives to achieve the goals of ORU by:
- planning and implementing ORU-sponsored awards, the Undergraduate Research Forum, and other events, activities, and programs
- managing award resources and office budget
- acting as advisor to the Student Organization for Undergraduate Research and Career Exploration (SOURCE)
- publicizing and promoting ORU offerings to prospective and current students, along with internal ߣߣÊÓƵ and external stakeholders
- collaborating with the director in support of the vision and strategic goals of ORU
Director’s Mission
- develop a strategic plan and objectives for sustaining strong research efforts, increasing activity in underutilized fields and disciplines; and improving the overall quality of research involving undergraduates, as evidenced through publications, grants, and prestigious fellowships
- identify curricular needs to promote research by undergraduates and generate cost — effective ways to address those needs
- identify and secure funding for research by undergraduates and research — related professional development for faculty, graduate students, and staff
- promote and publicize the achievements of undergraduate research efforts to the ߣߣÊÓƵ community, prospective students and family members, alumni, professional organizations, funding agencies, and others
Services We Offer Students
- assist with the identification of appropriate funding opportunities
- offer clear routes to research opportunities for our undergraduates
- provide information about undergraduate research benefits to faculty, staff, and students
The Office of Research for Undergraduate Students helps students get involved in meaningful research and creative projects. We work to:
- maintain strong participation levels;
- improve the quality of student research through publications and grants;
- and make research opportunities available to students and faculty across all academic areas.
Undergraduate Research
At ߣߣÊÓƵ University, students can engage in research, scholarship, and creative activities through one-on-one mentoring opportunities as well as inquiry-based learning in the classroom, both of which are known as high-impact practices in career development. Faculty mentors and instructors lead students through projects that may be individual or team based, and conducted over a semester, an academic year, or exclusively in the summer. Undergraduate students may receive credit for such experiences, as they design and execute their projects.
Central to the success of undergraduate researchers are the educational partnerships with faculty, graduate students, and staff, that enrich the learning experiences for all. Each spring, over 300 research presentations are delivered by students during the Undergraduate Research Forum, an annual, day-long celebration of these successes.