FUN Member Information
This set of pages provides information relevant for FUN members, including information about the Travel Awards, Equipment Loan Program, FUN activites at SFN, Faculty Awards, and Meetings and Workshops
FUN Events at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting
The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience will be held October 13-17, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This page contains information about meeting logistics of particular relevance to FUN members and their students. For the offical SfN Meeting Program go to the 2012 Annual Meeting Site. |
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Executive Council Meeting
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Time: 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Location: Hilton Riverside, Rosedown Room
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Business Meeting
Monday, October 15, 2012
Time: 7:00-8:00 a.m.
Location: Hilton Riverside, Versailles Room
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Social:
Social, Awards, & Poster Presentations
Monday, October 15, 2012
Time: 6:45 to 8:45pm
Location: Hilton Riverside, Grand Salon ABC
Chaired by: Shelly Dickinson
Co-Chaired by: Elaine Reynolds
Socialize and exchange ideas with others interested in undergraduate neuroscience research and education. Undergraduates will present posters of their research, and FUN Student Travel Awards and Educator of the Year Award will be presented. See the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) website for travel award information and registration for poster presentations at the FUN Social.
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience:
FUN Booth #3631
Sunday - Wednesday, October 14-17, 2012
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
2013 Travel Award Application
Applications for Undergraduate Student Travel Awards to the 2013 Society for Neuroscience Meeting in San Diego, CA are now being accepted! The award offers aid for expenses associated with attending the Society for Neuroscience 2013 meeting for an undergraduate student who is presenting a poster at the main SfN meeting. All student award travel award applications must have a faculty sponsor who is a dues-paying member of FUN.
For details and application, please download the attachment. Questions can be directed to Jeff Smith, Chair of the Travel Awards Committee (jsmith12@svsu.edu).
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FUN Equipment Loan Program (2013)
FUN is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the 2013 Equipment Loan Program. Through generous donations from ADInstruments, Kinder Scientific, Noldus Information Technology, and San Diego Instruments we are now accepting applications for proposals requesting a loan of equipment for research and/or teaching for FUN members. A complete list of equipment available is available below. Please note that only single versions of this equipment are available for loan at this time – it is not possible to request multiple pieces of a single item (unless otherwise noted).
All dues-paying members of FUN are eligible to apply for this program. Applications will be submitted electronically. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2013 and awards will be announced in early November.
Terms of the Loan:
- Awardees will be given full use of the equipment granted for a period of 2 years. For this cycle, all equipment can be requested for a two year loan period unless otherwise noted.
- Awardees will absorb all costs associated with shipping the equipment to and from the supplier.
- Awardees will return the equipment at the end of the loan period clean, sanitized (if appropriate), and in good working order to the supplier.
- Any publications or presentations resulting from the use of this equipment will acknowledge the company providing the equipment.
- Any software that is included with a grant will require that the grantee sign a provision that all software will be removed from their computers at the end of the grant period.
Applications:
Applications should be no more than 5 pages in length (not including cover page). Applications may be single spaced, with font size no less than 11, top and bottom margins of 1” and right/left margins of 0.75”.
- Application Cover Page
- Research proposal, including specific equipment requested, the proposed research, and expected outcomes
- Impact of the loan on future research funding and long term development of the research program
- Role of undergraduates in the research proposal
- Institutional support for the proposal. This may include such things as matching grants from the institution (i.e. undergraduate research stipends, additional supply money, salary support for the faculty member, etc.) or other forms of institutional support.
Factors to be considered when reviewing the proposals will include:
- The scientific merit of the proposed research and use of the equipment
- Some preference is given to faculty in the early stages of their career, although awards may also be made to more senior faculty, for example, if a faculty member is developing a new area of research
- Evidence that the loan will enhance the faculty members long-term research and/or teaching efforts
- Demonstrated institutional support for the project.
For more information contact: Jeff Smith (jsmith12@svsu.edu) Office: 989.964.4503
ADInstruments Equipment
ADInstruments PowerLab system is a high speed multichannel computer-based data acquisition system appropriate for upper division undergraduate student neuroscience projects as well as research applications. PowerLab data acquisition potential applications include: extracellular/intracellular recordings, evoked potentials, current/voltage clamping, biopotential recordings and many other neuroscience protocols.
The Team at ADInstruments will work with the award winner to configure the system to best meet the needs of the work that is proposed. The final form of the system might vary, but in general would make use of the Powerlab 4/26T platform and LabChart software.
PowerLab 4/26T (QTY 1) - http://www.adinstruments.com/products/hardware/education/product/ML856/
The PowerLab 26T is an integrated data recording unit featuring a dual Bio Amp, an isolated stimulator, trigger input and two independent analog outputs (non-isolated). The ML856 provides the option of up to four general DIN inputs (Inputs 3 & 4 are shared between the dual Bio Amp). With appropriate transducers and accessories the PowerLab 26T covers the broad experimental requirements in neurobiology education.
The ML856 PowerLab 26T includes:
- LabChart, Scope and LabTutor software
- Teaching Resources CD (includes LabChart Experiments)
- Cable Kit including Power Cord, BNC to DIN Test Cable, USB Cable
- Getting Started with PowerLab Manual
- Getting Started with LabTutor Manual
- LabChart Quick Reference Guide
- MLA2540 5-Lead Shielded Bio Amp Cable
- MLA2505 Shielded Lead Wires (5)
- MLADDF30 Stimulating Bar Electrode
- MLAC22 BNC to DIN Smart Adapter (2)
- MLT1010/D Finger PulseTransducer
PTK 19 (QTY 1) - http://www.adinstruments.com/products/hardware/education/product/PTK19/
The PTK19 is ideal for conducting experiments using isolated animal nerve, skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle preparations. The Bridge Pod and transducer measure muscle contractile force. The cables connect to the Nerve Chamber or the Muscle Holder and plug directly into the analog inputs and analog outputs of the PowerLab system for recording and stimulating tissues.
The PTK 19 Nerve/Muscle Kit II Includes:
- ML301 Bridge Pod (signal amplifier)
- MLT500/A Force Transducer (0 - 500 g)
- MLT016/B Nerve Chamber with Cable Options B
- MLA0320 Animal Nerve Stimulating Electrode
- MLA013 Muscle Holder
- MLA1605 Shielded Lead Wires (25cm)
- MLA40 Manipulator and Stand
Complete software overview can be found here: http://www.adinstruments.com/solutions/research/Neurophysiology/.
The included LabChart software has integrated post-hoc data analysis modules including Peak Analysis http://www.adinstruments.com/products/software/research/modules/Peak-Analysis/Windows/ and Spike Histogram http://www.adinstruments.com/products/software/research/modules/Spike-Histogram/Windows/.
Although the acquisition software must be removed at the termination of the loan period, ADI does offer free downloads of the LabChart Reader software for review of previously collected data.
http://www.adinstruments.com/products/software/research/LabChart-Reader/
Awardees are responsible for shipping costs associated with returning the equipment to the supplier. Equipment must be returned and insured (up to $5K) via a registered carrier and in good working condition.
Kinder Scientific Equipment
Kinder Scientific is pleased to offer two (2) SmartFrame Cage Rack Stations. The SmartFrame Cage Rack System has been designed with advanced features and ease-of-use as primary objectives. Frames come standard with a two dimensional 7x15 beam grid for optimum coverage, not just a few beams in only one dimension. And its higher resolution comes at no extra cost! The SmartFrame tracks motor activity extremely well for both rat and mouse applications and can serve as a very cost effective Open Field System for mice. It uses the Windows 2000/XP compatible MotorMonitor software common to the Kinder Scientific activity line, providing great flexibility in analyzing data. (XY Plane only; No Rearing Frame)
Additional product information available at: http://www.kinderscientific.com/
Noldus Information Technology
Noldus will provide One copy of the EthoVision XT software for a 1 year loan period which includes:
• EthoVision XT base software
• picolo diligent digitizer board
• Multiple Body Points module
• Multiple Arenas module
• Social Interaction module
• Trial & Hardware Control Module
• Physiology Integration Module
• ...and a CCD Camera
The only thing Noldus cannot provide is a PC to run the software, Noldus can provide the winner with information as to what type of PC would be needed to run this system.
San Diego Instruments Equpiment
The following systems and will be available for new proposals. They are:
2 Systems as follows:
PAS Open Field with Rearing Frames (2 Stations) - PAS-Open Field stations use a 16 x 16 photobeam configuration that offers the option to utilize a rearing frame. To accommodate subjects of different sizes, you will be able to position frame height anywhere on the posts.
2 Systems as follows:
SR-LAB System with Large Enclosures (2 Stations) - The SR-LAB startle response system is the world's most widely used startle reflex behavioral research system and the most successful for measuring startle habituation, pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) and Fear Potentiated Startle (FPS). Small/Medium enclosures can be substituted for Large Enclosure for testing mice.
Any-maze™ Video Tracking System with laptop, Open Field enclosure and Y-Maze for mice. San Diego Instruments is open to supplying different mazes if desired. (Note: The laptop is included and is the property of San Diego Instruments so it must be returned with the system.)
Other Systems you may want to consider and can be made available for loan are:
Gemini Avoidance System Passive and Active Avoidance and Learned Helplessness paradigms. Research drugs for cognitive enhancement.
Place Preference - Used for addiction studies. Test stations can be either two compartment or three compartments. Researcher must decide in advance which style is desired.
Rotor Rod Motor skill measurement. Can be configured for rats, mice or both. The SDI Rotor Rod is very tall and the only motivator used is fear of falling . Note: Shipping costs are high for this unit due to its size.
In addition, our friends at SDI are willing to work with individuals to setup additional behavioral systems for our loan program. If they have a system that could help establish your research program, and it is not currently available in our loan program, please go ahead and submit a proposal for that particular system. SDI will try hard to accommodate your specific research needs.
Additional product information available at: http://www.sandiegoinstruments.com/
Awardees are responsible for costs of shipping to and from the supplier. All equipment will be returned cleaned, sanitized and in a good working condition.
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2010 FUN Equipment Loan Winners
FUN is pleased to announce that the following proposals were funded with the generous support of our corporate donors for the 2010 FUN Equipment Loan Program:
Robert Flint, College of Saint Rose “Pedagogical Development and Research Advances using the SR-LAB System at The College of Saint Rose” SR-LAB System, San Diego Instruments
Leah Chase, Hope College “Is Homocysteic Acid Neurotoxicity a Model for Schizophrenia?” Kinder Scientific Startle System
Adrienne Betz, Quinnipiac University “Role of caffeine and taurine in anxiety-like behaviors” Photobeam open field activity, San Diego Instruments
Many thanks to our sponsors and selection committee, and best of luck to the awardees!
--Jean Hardwick
2011 FUN Equipment Loan Winners
FUN is pleased to announce that the following proposals were funded with the generous support of our corporate donors for the 2011 FUN Equipment Loan Program:
"Exploring Cardiovascular Functioning in Students Engaged in Behavior Changes"
Glena L. Andrews, Northwest Nazarene University
Award of a Powerlab System from ADInstruments.
"Characterizing cognitive deficits in an animal model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"
Megan St. Peters, Ferrum College
Award of a SR-Lab System from San Diego Instruments.
"The development of a quantitative measure of social motivation for mouse phenotyping"
Loren Martin, Azusa Pacific University
Award of an Anymaze system from San Diego Instruments.
"Effect of environmental enrichment on symptoms of depression and anxiety following brain injury"
Jeff Smith, Saginaw Valley State University
Award of a Rodent Forced Swim Task System from Kinder Scientific.
Many thanks to our sponsors and selection committee, and best of luck to the awardees!
2012 FUN Equipment Loan Winners
FUN is pleased to announce that the following proposals were funded with the generous support of our corporate donors for the 2012 FUN Equipment Loan Program:
“Wound healing and regeneration in Lumbriculus variegates”
Veronica G. Acosta, University of the Incarnate Word
Award of a PowerLab 26T system from ADInstruments and a Nikon Eclipse E400 Microscope
“Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Cognition and Social Responding”
Adrienne J. Betz, Quinnipiac University
Award of a PAS Open Field with Rearing Frames (2 Stations) from San Diego Instruments and EthoVision XT software from Noldus.
“Investigating the time-course of crossmodal sensory plasticity caused by retinal degeneration”
Michael Jarvinen, Emmanuel College
Award of a Two SR-Lab Systems from San Diego Instruments.
Many thanks to our sponsors and selection committee, and best of luck to the awardees!
FUN Faculty Awards
The Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience annually recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate neuroscience. These awards are based on peer nominations and are announced at the FUN Social and Poster Session at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. The specific awards and previous winners are listed below.
FUN Career and Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Career/Lifetime Achievement award is FUN's highest honor and is also based on a nominating letter from a member. The Career/Lifetime Achievement Award will be given from time to time, to recognize individuals who have made outstanding efforts on behalf of undergraduate neuroscience education and research. Outstanding efforts may include singular achievements that have provided wide benefit to the undergraduate neuroscience community, or sustained efforts across years.
Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
- 2012 Steven George
- 2011 Andrew Mickley
- 2010 Alan Gittis
- 2009 Andy Sinauer
- 2008 Jeanne Narum
- 2006 Ron Hoy
- 2004 Jeff Wilson
- 2003 Gary Dunbar
- 2002 Dennison Smith
- 2002 Jack Boitano
Career Achievement Award Winners
- 2012 Richard Olivo
- 2010 Michael Kinder
- 2007 Eric Wiertelak
- 2006 Eric Chudler
- 2005 Felix Schweizer
- 2004 Debbie Colbern
- 2001 Julio Ramirez
FUN Educator of the Year Award
The Educator Award is given annually to a regular member or fellow of FUN in recognition of notable efforts related to promoting effective teaching of neuroscience at the undergraduate level, and is based on a nominating letter from a member.
- 2012 Patsy Dickinson
- 2011 Dorothy Kozlowski
- 2010 Amanda Clinton
- 2009 Mark Bradford
- 2008 Alan Gittis
- 2007 Ann E. Stuart and Andrew Mickley
- 2006 Robert Wyttenbach
- 2005 Richard Olivo
- 2004 Mary Lou Caspers
- 2003 Cheryl Frye
- 2002 Barbara Lom
- 2001 Bruce Johnson, Carol Ann Paul, and JoAnn Berger-Sweeney
FUN Service Award
The Service Award will be given from time to time, to recognize individuals who have made outstanding efforts towards the continuing development of FUN as an organization.
- 2012 Bob Calin-Jageman
- 2011 Karen Parfitt and Gary Dunbar
- 2009 Barbara Lom
- 2008 Gayle Brosnan-Watters
FUN Mentor Award
The Mentor Award will be given from time to time, to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions as mentors for young neuroscientists.
- 2012 Leslie Sargent-Jones
- 2011 Julio Ramirez
- 2009 Gary Muir, Shelly Dickinson, and Eric Wiertelak
- 2006 Malathi Srivatsan
- 2000 Dale Sengelaub
Meetings and Workshops
List of relevant meetings and workshops:
FUN Undergraduate Neuroscience Education Workshops
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The Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience holds biannual workshops centered around designing, implementing and assessing neuroscience programs in undergraduate settings. Our most recent meeting was held in 2008 at Macalester College (see below). Stay tuned for information about our next workshop that will be held at Pomona College in 2011.
Background
- At the 1st FUN workshop, held at Davidson College in 1995, participants developed four blueprints to guide faculty in their efforts to enrich the undergraduate science curriculum of their institutions by developing courses and programs in an interdisciplinary and marvelously fertile young science: Neuroscience.
- At the 2nd FUN workshop, held at Oberlin College in 1998, participants used these blueprints as a foundation to explore cutting-edge laboratory exercises designed to serve as the basis for the development of investigative, discovery-based laboratory experiences and the steps involved in launching regional meetings emphasizing undergraduate neuroscience research.
- At the 3rd FUN workshop, held at Trinity College in 2001, participants again explored laboratory exercises as well as simulations of synaptic transmission, and further examined issues in developing regional meetings emphasizing undergraduate neuroscience research.
- At the 4th FUN workshop, held at Macalester College in 2005, in addition to exploring new laboratory experiences and development of leadership skills, the participants revisited the four original curricular blueprints that served as curricular models in neuroscience since 1995, and, to address the directions that neuroscience is headed in the coming decades, added a fifth curricular blueprint, neuroscience studies
2008 FUN Undergraduate Neuroscience Education Workshop
The Undergraduate Neuroscience Education: Interactions, Interdisciplines, and Curricular Best Practices
Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota
July 18 - 20, 2008
A Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Workshop
In conjunction with Project Kaleidoscope
In July 2008, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) held its fifth workshop on designing, implementing and assessing neuroscience programs in undergraduate settings. See the workshop website for more information about the meeting, the featured presenters, and to read the 2008 FUN Workshop Notebook.
Regional Undergraduate Neuroscience Meetings
The Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience supports the development of regional conferences that promote undergraduate research. These meetings provide opportunities for undergraduate neuroscientists to present their original research. In addition these meetings help to build regional networks of faculty interested in undergraduate research and education. Look for more regional meetings in the years to come.
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NorthEast Under/graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience (NEURON) |
The primary objectives of NEURON are to provide an open forum for neuroscience undergraduate and graduate students to present and discuss their work with students and faculty of similar interests, to provide faculty an opportunity to discuss curriculua and research issues in neuroscience, biopsychology and related areas, and to provide resources to enhance communication and collaboration among neuroscience researchers and educators.
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Symposium for Young Neuroscientists and Professors of the SouthEast (SYNAPSE)
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SYNAPSE is a one-day regional undergraduate neuroscience conference that provides opportunities for students and faculty to present their research results and make connections with other neuroscientists in the southeast. Attendees discuss important issues in neuroscience training via workshops and panel discussions and learn about cutting-edge research via a keynote speaker.
MIDBRAINS: The Undergraduate Neuroscience Conference of the Upper Midwest
The conference is a joint effort of the MidBrains Neuroscience Consortium-- a network of faculty from undergraduate neuroscience programs in the upper midwest. This annual event provides a forum for undergraduate students in the Midwest to present research findings, to attend research lectures and special panels, and to meet other undergraduate students interested in the neurosciences. Representatives from several major research universities are also present to discuss graduate school opportunities. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts in all fields of the neurosciences and related disciplines!
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Midwest/Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Symposium in Neuroscience (mGluRs) |
In the spirit of regional undergraduate neuroscience conferences such as SYNAPSE and Midbrains, the Neuroscience Program at Ohio Wesleyan University will host the first annual conference for States Touching Ohio (and Ohio, of course) in Delaware, OH. The conference will also include oral and poster presentations by students, workshops, a graduate school panel, and not least, breakfast and lunch.