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                Auburn University - University Relations
                            (334) 844-9999
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8/14/95                 Mitch Emmons (emmonmb@mail.auburn.edu)

AU'S LIFE SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM HOST TO 15 THIS SUMMER

      AUBURN -- Auburn University hosted high school science teachers 
and students and visiting students and researchers from other 
universities this summer as part of the Future Life Science Scholars Program.
      The eight-week program, supported by a $1 million grant from the 
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, provides unique hands-on research 
experience in the life sciences.
      A mentor program also placed the participants with an AU faculty 
researcher to provide experience in actual laboratory research.
      "The intent is to recruit and retain students interested in 
pursuing careers in research and teaching in the biomedical sciences," 
said program coordinator Robert Lishak, associate professor in AU's 
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science. "Scholarships (for the 
program) are very competitive."
      Participating as visiting university future life science scholars 
were Keya Kearney of Pine Bluff, Ark. (Alabama State University); Frank 
Sullen Jr. of Fort Davis (Alabama State University); Shenell Miller of 
Beloit, Wis. (Alabama A&M University); and Christina Moore of Montgomery 
(Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn).
      Visiting high school participants were Megan Huff of Opelika High 
School, Opelika; Mahiuddin Ahmed of Ely High School, Pompano Beach, Fla.; 
Arjuh Masurkar of Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford, Mass.; Ying Wu of 
Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Stephanie Taylor of Hartselle 
High School, Hartselle.
      Visiting university research fellows were Leonard Cole of 
Talladega College; Thelma Ivery of  Alabama State University; and John 
Davidson of Tuskegee University.
      Visiting teaching fellows included Karen Carte of Opelika 
(Beauregard High School); Carol Harrison of Tuskegee (Booker T. 
Washington High School); and  Barbara Reynolds of Opp (Opp High School).
      Participants, who receive stipends ranging from $3,000 to $9,000 
to support their research, are selected through a strict application and 
screening process, Lishak said
      Participants select a research project from among the areas of 
chemistry, zoology, veterinary medicine, nutrition and foods, or botany 
and microbiology.
      "They do everything a graduate or post-doctorate researcher is 
supposed to do," said Lishak. "They also have opportunities to hear 
world-renowned research speakers and attend scientific seminars."
      Upon completion of the session, the participants present their 
research and pursue publication of their findings in scholarly journals.
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aug95:AU-scholars 
CONTACT: Lishak, 334/844-3928.