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1 University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) Application Information In January 2006, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) will again be sponsoring an exciting research opportunity for undergraduates. Participants will be involved in ongoing research projects with investigators and will have the opportunity to attend seminars aimed at refining communication and scientific presentation skills that will serve as a foundation for graduate study. Research UWEB has a strong commitment to undergraduate education, particularly to increasing diversity in the field of engineering. In this program, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB), a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (NSF ERC), will take advantage of the uniquely interdisciplinary research environment at the biology and engineering interface to provide high quality research experiences for undergraduates. Women, underrepresented minorities, and students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit applications. The application deadline for the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is November 4, Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. For more information, visit our web site at or contact: University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) A National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center Box Seattle, WA Joy Louie Undergraduate Program Coordinator Box Seattle, WA Voice: (206) Fax: (206) [email protected]

2 About University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Biomaterials and medical devices are widely used in humans in applications as diverse as heart valves, hip joints, pacemakers, tooth implants, drainage shunts, intraocular lenses and heart assist devices. These devices save lives, improve the quality of life for millions, and form the basis for a strong, successful, humanitarian industry. However, these biomaterials and devices never work as well as the part they are intended to replace, leading to patient dissatisfaction, physician concern and a financial burden on the health care system. UWEB has a sharply focused objective: to develop a new generation of biomaterials that exploit specific biological recognition mechanisms. Such materials will be designed to, upon implantation, heal in the body in a facile, physiologically normal manner. This is in contrast to existing biomaterials that are not recognized by the body and are walled off from the body. Biomaterials UWEB is centrally housed in a facility on the University of Washington campus. Administrative offices, a classroom, a conference room, library, laboratories, student offices and faculty offices occupy approximately 10,000 sq. ft. in Bagley Hall. Special facilities include a large tissue culture laboratory for research and teaching. Each of the participating University of Washington investigators in UWEB has his/her own laboratories and facilities for research, parts of which are oriented toward UWEB programs. What USIRP participants will receive 1. Involvement in an interdisciplinary research project with a team where researchers are working together to solve a common science problem. 2. An interactive poster session, where undergraduate researchers present their results to the UWEB community and beyond (August 2006). 3. Lectures on ethics, communications skills, and selected lectures from the UWEB Engineers Tool Chest course. 4. Publication of a journal article describing his/her research project in the UWEB Journal of Undergraduate Research in Bioengineering (JURIBE). 5. Research credit for one quarter and a stipend of $1500 for each of three quarters of participation.

3 About the UWEB USIRP Program The goal of the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is to provide an especially enriched cross-disciplinary research experience for qualified and deserving undergraduate students for four academic quarters. The USIRP strives to cultivate a long-term relationship with undergraduate students who not only participate in research opportunities, but also enroll in UWEB core courses with the option of an emphasis on biomaterials. The heart of the program consists of carefully mentored research experiences that team the undergraduate with graduate students and a principal investigator. The teams will focus around a UWEB project that has been carefully selected as a good example of interdisciplinary research and one that has ties to industry research interests. Education Requirements for Participation in the Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program The selection process is competitive and participation in the program will include the following requirements: participants must commit to four consecutive academic quarters in the program. The first quarter of the research experience will be taken for credit only; students will be paid a stipend of $1500 for each of the three subsequent quarters. Participants will attend selected sessions of UWEB s Engineers Tool Chest course and attend lectures on ethics and written and oral presentation skills. During their association with UWEB, they will be required to participate in at least one poster session. The final milestone of the program is a research paper submission for publication in the UWEB Journal of Undergraduate Research in Bioengineering (JURIBE). More information can be found at: Please read the following program requirements carefully before you complete the application form: 1. You must be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident of the United States or one of its possessions. 2. You must stay in the program for four consecutive academic quarters: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn You must be able to devote up to 19.5 hours per week to your research project each quarter and submit monthly status reports. 4. You must attend all required meetings, lectures, seminars, focus groups, and workshops. 5. By the end of the fourth quarter, you must submit a research paper of journal article quality for publication in JURIBE. 6. You must participate in at least one poster session. 7. You must currently be a sophomore or junior majoring in a science or engineering field.

4 Undergraduate Scholars in Research (USIRP) 2006 To apply to the program The application deadline for the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is November 4, Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. A complete application consists of : 1. A completed, signed UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Application Form. All questions must be answered fully for your application to receive consideration. The answers to the short essay questions must be typewritten. Opportunity 2. Two letters of recommendation (forms included in this packet), one of which must be an instructor who can evaluate your potential in a laboratory setting. 3. An official UW transcript of coursework. (Please note: if you have completed coursework at another college or university that is not documented on your UW transcript, and you would like to have this work considered by the review committee, submit additional transcripts.) Send your application form and transcripts to: Joy Louie UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Box Seattle, WA Selection criteria will be based on the quality of the application written materials, letters of recommendation and academic record. Appropriate science and mathematics courses will be required for participants and it is expected that the majority of students will be academic juniors who have completed basic chemistry, mathematics, and engineering coursework.

5 UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Application PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION FULLY LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER DATE OF BIRTH GENDER: MALE FEMALE PARENTS OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION NAME LIVING? OCCUPATION STATE OF RESIDENCE FATHER MOTHER GUARDIAN AVERAGE FAMILY INCOME YES DEPENDANT? Yes No (If No, indicate income: ) NO EDUCATION/COLLEGE (HIGHEST LEVEL) AVERAGE ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME: UNDER $15,000 $15,000-$25,000 $25,000-$35,000 $35,000-$45,000 $45,000-$55,000 $55,000-$65,000 ABOVE $65,000 COLLEGES AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS ATTENDED NAME LOCATION (CITY, STATE) HONORS RECEIVED WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE CLASS STANDING SOPHOMORE JUNIOR SENIOR DATES OF ATTENDANCE to to to CUM. GPA MAJOR GPA: MAJOR STUDENT ID NUMBER DEGREE GRANTED/EXPECTED RACE Please check ONE box (Information requested by National Science Foundation for funding purposes, and is strictly confidential and voluntary) Caucasian ETHNICITY Native American African American Pacific Islander Asian Mixed Caucasian or Asian Mixed Native American, African American, or Native American DATE Choose not to disclose Not Hispanic Hispanic Choose not to disclose DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL, SENSORY, OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE OR MORE LIFE ACTIVITIES (E.G. WALKING, SEEING, HEARING, BREATHING, OR LEARNING)? YES NO AREAS OF INTEREST EXTRACURRICULAR, COMMUNITY, AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES EMPLOYMENT DURING SCHOOL YEARS (LIST TYPE OF WORK AND APPROXIMATE HOURS PER WEEK) OR OTHER RESEARCH RELATED EXPERIENCES HOW HAVE YOU SPENT YOUR SUMMERS DURING YOUR COLLEGE YEARS? (INCLUDE THE YEAR AND LOCATION OF PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER PROGRAMS)

6 PLEASE ANSWER EACH OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW. TYPE YOUR ANSWERS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER, KEEPING THEM TO ONE OR TWO SHORT PARAGRAPHS FOR EACH QUESTION. 1. What aspects of the UWEB program sparked your interest and why? (For more information about the UWEB program, check out our website at 2. Why do you think that USIRP is a good fit for you and for your long-term career goals? 3. What would you expect to gain from the program? What would you contribute? 4. Tell us something you believe to be unique about yourself (eg. hardships you have overcome, a significant personal experience, etc.). 5. How did you hear about this program or where did you receive the application packet? Certifications and Signature I Certify that the information submitted in this application and associated materials are current, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Signature (ink only) DATE Please print this application and complete it in ink by hand (print legibly). Send the completed application form with a copy of your official academic transcript for the college which you are currently attending (unofficial transcripts will not be accepted) to UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP), University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials, Box , Seattle, WA If you have any questions, you can reach Joy Louie at (206) , Fax (206) , or [email protected]. The UWEB web site can be found at: The deadline for applying to the 2006 Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program is November 4, Applications postmarked after that date will not be reviewed. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ENGINEERED BIOMATERIALS A NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER

7 University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program RECOMMENDATION FORM To the applicant: This section is to be completed by you before it is presented to the individual providing your reference. Applicant s SSN Name Address Phone # Address To the person providing the reference: Please answer as many questions as your acquaintance with the student permits. The application deadline for the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is November 4, Your completed form should be sent to: Joy Louie University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Box Seattle, WA [email protected] If you have questions regarding this form or the UWEB program, please call (206) , or (206) (fax).

8 1. How long have you known the applicant? 2. In what capacity have you known the applicant? 3. Please rate the applicant by circling the appropriate number which most nearly represents your opinion of the applicant in comparison with a representative group of individuals you have known who have had the same amount of education and experience. Unable to judge Poor (Lowest 25%) Fair (26-75%) Excellent (76-90%) Outstanding (Highest 10%) Intellectual ability Motivation to pursue a research career Work habits General Motivation Leadership Imagination/Creativity Initiative Ability to work with others Maturity/Ability to take responsibility for actions Ability to communicate (written) Ability to communicate (spoken) What do you consider to be the applicant s strongest characteristics?

9 5. What do you consider to be the applicant s weakest characteristics? 6. To your knowledge, are there any special circumstances relative to the applicant which would be of value as the student s credentials are evaluated for this program? 7. Do you believe the academic record of the applicant is a true reflection of her/his intellectual ability? Yes. No. Please Explain: 8. In what ways do you believe the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program can be of value to the applicant?

10 9. Add any special comments that will help to give a more complete picture of the applicant s abilities and potential as a candidate for continued work and study in research. Please Print Name: Title/Position: Phone: Department: Name of College/University: Address: Signature: Date: University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program

11 University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program RECOMMENDATION FORM To the applicant: This section is to be completed by you before it is presented to the individual providing your reference. Applicant s SSN Name Address Phone # Address To the person providing the reference: Please answer as many questions as your acquaintance with the student permits. The application deadline for the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program (USIRP) is November 4, Your completed form should be sent to: Joy Louie University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program Box Seattle, WA [email protected] If you have questions regarding this form or the UWEB program, please call (206) , or (206) (fax).

12 1. How long have you known the applicant? 2. In what capacity have you known the applicant? 3. Please rate the applicant by circling the appropriate number which most nearly represents your opinion of the applicant in comparison with a representative group of individuals you have known who have had the same amount of education and experience. Unable to judge Poor (Lowest 25%) Fair (26-75%) Excellent (76-90%) Outstanding (Highest 10%) Intellectual ability Motivation to pursue a research career Work habits General Motivation Leadership Imagination/Creativity Initiative Ability to work with others Maturity/Ability to take responsibility for actions Ability to communicate (written) Ability to communicate (spoken) What do you consider to be the applicant s strongest characteristics?

13 5. What do you consider to be the applicant s weakest characteristics? 6. To your knowledge, are there any special circumstances relative to the applicant which would be of value as the student s credentials are evaluated for this program? 7. Do you believe the academic record of the applicant is a true reflection of her/his intellectual ability? Yes. No. Please Explain: 8. In what ways do you believe the UWEB Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program can be of value to the applicant?

14 9. Add any special comments that will help to give a more complete picture of the applicant s abilities and potential as a candidate for continued work and study in research. Please Print Name: Title/Position: Phone: Department: Name of College/University: Address: Signature: Date: University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Undergraduate Scholars in Research Program