Although this program is in its early stages, many students view it as a positive addition to the university and have already begun to take advantage of Auburn on the Hill. Chris Lawson, a junior history major, has interned and worked in Congressman Robert Aderholt’s office and recommends students take advantage of this program to find Washington internships.

“Washington, D.C. is the only place you can get a true American government experience,” Chris says, “This program can help facilitate applications, keep you informed about deadlines, and assist with housing arrangements to help you get the most out of your internship and time spent in Washington.”

Deadlines for summer 2008 are fast approaching, but that should not deter students from applying and even planning ahead for future internship opportunities for the fall, spring, and even next summer. To learn more about Auburn on the Hill and Washington internship opportunities, visit www.auburn.edu/washington or contact coordinator, Heather Finch at 844-4784 or finchhm@auburn.edu.

That will be a first for Auburn.

The research began back in the spring at the AAES’ Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland and the Gulf Coast REC in Fairhope, where test plots of 30-plus advanced peanut breeding lines were planted.

Harvey and peanut breeder and geneticist Charles Chen at USDA’s National Peanut Research Lab in Georgia are evaluating the harvested peanuts to determine how they compare on key traits including yield, grade, drought tolerance and resistance to the destructive tomato spotted wilt virus.

The goal is to develop varieties that will help growers improve their bottom line. The new breeding program at AU is strongly supported and funded in part by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.

After a decade of research, AU nutrition scientist Suresh Mathews has determined that people who are found to be insulin resistant also have markedly higher levels of a blood protein called fetuin-A than individuals in whom insulin does its job of regulating blood glucose.

Now, an AAES grant is allowing Mathews to investigate whether insulin-resistant individuals can lower their fetuin levels, and, thus, their risks of diabetes, through exercise.

For the study, Mathews and AU exercise physiologist Pete Grandjean are recruiting 100 healthy, basically sedentary adult males who could stand to lose a few pounds and who are willing to commit a year to the project.

After completing a comprehensive health assessment on every subject, the scientists are assigning the volunteers to one of two groups: one where participants are instructed to follow a modified diet over the course of the study, and the other in which subjects start a regular exercise routine, both at home and in an AU fitness lab.

The researchers will monitor all participants weekly, keeping close tabs on fetuin-A levels, especially after those in the exercise group complete a treadmill workout at the lab.

Participants are expected to lose 8-10 percent of their body weight in the study. Data collected should indicate whether weight loss in and of itself lowers fetuin-A levels or whether weight loss due to exercise is more effective at reducing the protein.

The park is expected to attract high technology businesses that wish to be located near and be affiliated with a major research institution such as Auburn University. Some of the benefits of the park to the university include funding for research from the private sector, collaborative research and technology development partnerships, licensing of university-owned intellectual properties, revenue generation, consulting opportunities for faculty, and employment opportunities for students and graduates.

One of the goals of the research park is to facilitate the transfer and commercialization of technologies developed by faculty and students of Auburn University and to nurture start-up companies developed around these technologies.

The Auburn Research Park will play a vital role in moving the state toward a more knowledge-based economy. The park is also a key component of the infrastructure for linking the research enterprise of Auburn University to local and state economic development.

The research park was made possible through a partnership between Auburn University, the City of Auburn, and the State of Alabama. It will be developed and operated by the non-profit corporation, Auburn Research and Technology Foundation.

Sample protocol documents - Documents that may be required as appendices to the "Research Protocol Review Form" can be found at http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/ohs/sample.htm. The sample documents include an informed consent, information letter, recruitment documents, video/audio releases, site authorizations, and an emergency plan.

Determination of Human Subject/Not Human Subject Research - The IRB has made available a form to request a determination of whether a project is human subject research. The form should be submitted to the IRB for a decision. The form can be found at http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/ohs/protocol.htm.

The Laboratory Animal Training Association offers species-specific training modules on the humane care and use of rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, swine, fish, goats and nonhuman primates. Also, modules on the aseptic surgery of rodents and the anesthesia and analgesia of rodents are available.

The following link can be used to access the LATA training website: http://www.latanet.com/client/auburn/introduction.htm

To log on, the username is "auburn" and the password is "blue". You will then create a profile for yourself. As you complete modules, a training summary will be sent to the OAR to update your files.

Please utilize this wonderful training program for all personnel involved in your research projects.

Dr. Barry Grand, the principal investigator, plays a key role in the EGCPJV by leading the development of conservation planning tools for the Joint Venture. His research with the Alabama Gap Analysis Project attracted the EGCP JV partners to select Auburn University as home of this partnership. Auburn is the only university to house one of the 20 Joint Ventures in the United States. He uses satellite imagery to identify land patterns and predict high priority conservation areas to help researchers, planners, and land mangers maximize the effectiveness of their restoration and conservation actions. Allison Vogt, EGCPJV coordinator, sites the satellite imagery as a valuable tool for EGCPJV. “There are many factors to consider when working to conserve and restore high-quality habitats for birds, and the satellite imagery is integral in our ability to plan at a regional scale,” explains Vogt.

The area of conservation focus transcends political boundaries and instead targets a region based on ecological similarities that includes portions of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Over 300 bird species occur and over 180 nest annually in these areas.

Although Vogt currently provides a range of services for the EGCPJV, the joint venture looks forward to using funds to hire a science coordinator, GIS analyst, and conservation delivery coordinator as well as providing research opportunities for graduate students.

This self-directed partnership includes the following organizations: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; American Bird Conservancy; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Kentucky Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Resources; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; National Audubon Society; National Wild Turkey Federation; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U. S. Forest Service; and Wildlife Management Institute. Most of these partner organizations also provide funding for the EGCPJV.

For more information about the East Gulf Coastal Plain Joint Venture contact Allison Vogt at vogtall@auburn.edu or 844-9219.