Welcome to Summer Undergraduate Research

1. Welcome to Summer Undergraduate Research Tom Gilmore UROP Director Professor, Biology Department June 9, 2014

2. Undergraduate Research at BU Summer 2014 Approximately 300 students • Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP): 222 students (BU; Companies; Alumni; Research Grants; HHMI) • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF): 11 (National Science Foundation) • Chem NSF-REU; CELEST; STaRS (NSF; BU Med): ~30 • Beckman Foundation: 4 (Beckman Scientific) • Other: ~30 (paid from grants; volunteering; coursework; BU Medical School)

3. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Function: Oversees and supports most undergraduate research at Boston University Director: Dr. Tom Gilmore, Professor of Biology Assistant Director: Melissa Christine; melissac@bu.edu Program Administrator: Tina Fresta; frestach@bu.edu Location: 143 Bay State Road Phone: 617-353-2020 Email: urop@bu.edu Website: www.bu.edu/urop

4. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Function: Oversees and supports most undergraduate research at Boston University Director: Dr. Paul Lipton, Director of Neuroscience Assistant Director: Melissa Christine; melissac@bu.edu Program Administrator: Tina Fresta; frestach@bu.edu Location: 143 Bay State Road Phone: 617-353-2020 Email: urop@bu.edu Website: www.bu.edu/urop

5. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Function: To promote access to research-based education to talented undergraduate students, especially among underrepresented minorities or students from schools without ready access to research experiences. Goal is to ensure a diverse work-force in STEM fields. Sponsors: National Science Foundation Website: www.bu.edu/surf Partner Programs: NSF-REU in Chemistry; CELEST; STaRS

6. Administration of SURF Program Program Manager: Tina Fresta; frestach@bu.edu Location: 143 Bay State Road Phone: 617-353-2020 email: urop@bu.edu Website: www.bu.edu/surf

7. Summer Workshops for UROP & Other Program Students Mondays, 4-5 PM, SCI 109 (Metcalf Science Center, 590 Commonwealth Avenue) Topics: Resume and CV writing; GRE and MCAT Preparation; Abstract Writing and Presentation Skills; Selected Topics in Current Research Workshop schedule is posted at www.bu.edu/urop October Symposium for Undergraduate Research Friday, October 17, 2014

8. Undergraduate Research Symposium Friday, October 18, 2013 George Sherman Union 11 AM - 2:30 PM ~240 Research Posters

9. UROP BBQ Friday, July 11th 1 – 3 pm GSU Fox Fountain (behind George Sherman Union) Mentors welcome to attend

10. BI 495: Summer Research Course • 2-credit course offered to BU UROP students • Students will be registered for the course during the Fall 2014 semester • Requirements: 1. Attendance at all summer workshops; 2. Presentation at the Fall symposium; and 3. A research paper (10-20 pages) on your summer research (due approximately November 1, 2014) • Dr. Gilmore is the instructor for this “course” and he will grade the papers and assign course grades • SIGN UP AT END OF SUMMER

11. UROP Summer Payments • You will receive two payments during the summer on: • Friday, May 16 • Friday, July 18 • Paychecks must be picked up at the Student Payroll Office at 881 Commonwealth Avenue • UROP students do not need to submit a timesheet • Questions to urop@bu.edu or 3-2020

12. Words of Wisdom • Take advantage of the opportunity. • What you get out of this will be largely proportional to the effort you put in. • Be a good team player. • Keep careful and honest records. • Be careful! • Follow the rules of the lab/workplace and the University. • Learn from your mentor and especially those around you. • Try to have (at least some) fun.

14. Trolley Problem Philippa Ruth Foot, British philosopher (1920-2010)

15. Trolley Problem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem

16. Trolley Problem (extended)

17. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) • Introductory Principles from Open Seminar in Research Ethicshttp://openseminar.org/ethics/ June 9, 2014 Adapted from information provided by: Susan H. Frey, J.D. Assistant Provost for Research Compliance Boston Universitiy sfrey@bu.edu Gary Comstock ASC Fellow, National Humanities Center, 2007-09 Professor of Philosophy, NC State http://www.webguru.neu.edu/

18. Research Interests • Each of us goes into research for our own reasons • intrinsically rewarding career • advance the state of scientific or humanistic knowledge • improve the well-being of others • acquire flexibility in a work schedule

19. Opportunities Come with Risks • A major risk in research involves compromises of integrity and honesty through research misconduct • YOUR INTERESTS become entwined with INTERESTS OF OTHERS

20. The Research Community has Created Specific Rules to Guide You • As a junior researcher, you will be involved in conducting, discussing, and perhaps even publishing your research • Because many potential traps and ethical dilemmas can arise, you should know how the US National Science & Technology Council defines “scientific misconduct”

21. “Research misconduct” includes • Fabrication -- making up data or results and then recording or reporting them as truth • Falsification -- manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing, or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record

22. “Research misconduct” (continued) • Plagiarism -- appropriating and using another person's documented ideas, processes, results, or words without giving “appropriate” credit, whether from books, on-line materials, confidential documents, etc. • Research misconduct DOES NOTinclude errors of judgment, errors in recording, selection or analysis of data, or incorrect opinions.

23. “Research misconduct” (continued)

24. Many Gray Areas Exist Around these Definitions • For example, sometimes an image is easier to interpret if it is modified with image enhancing software. If we use, for example, Photoshop to "clean up" a digital image, are we guilty of a federal crime? (Not necessarily--just be sure to check first with your mentor and explain carefully what you are proposing to do.)

25. Advantages of Image Manipulation Silver Dollar Galaxy Amoeba Endothelial Cells Art Text

26. Dangers of Image Manipulation

27. There Are Ethical Situations for Which There is No Rule • How do we make wise decisions under trying, new and challenging conditions? • rely on our peers, colleagues and mentors (discuss what you are doing with others) • more senior mentors can help you see dangers that you do not perceive, guide you around obstacles, and help you think through the ethical implications of our work.

28. At Boston University • An anonymous whistleblower hot line http://www.bu.edu/ethics Scroll down to REPORTING HOTLINE • A confidential institutional official to advise on whistle-blowing: • You may confer with Assistant Provost Susan Frey or UROP Director Tom Gilmore on an anonymous basis. • A scientific misconduct procedure providing for an inquiry committee of scientists to review credible allegations of misconduct

29. Animals in Research • You may use animals in your research. • Many animals are capable of pain and most sentient species are protected by animal welfare laws. • In addition to the law, many ethical considerations require us to take into account the potential suffering of all sentient beings. • If you are using animals, you will need to take training in the proper use of animals

30. Basic Guidelines An animal research protocol must have: • A clear scientific purpose and objective that will benefit the health of other animals and/or humans; and • be carried out using properly designed, humane procedures by personnel who are knowledgeable concerning the proper care and handling of the species being studied.

31. Human Subjects in Research • You may be using other people in your research. • In many cases, the subjects of your research may benefit from the experience. • On the other hand, some could be harmed, even by the best intentioned researcher. • How do we minimize the risks to each individual, ensure that moral rights are protected, and maximize overall well-being?

32. Six basic guidelines for including humans in research • Obtain their informed consent in writing prior to beginning the project • Minimize risks to the person on whom the research is being conducted • Ensure that the risks to the person are proportional to the potential benefits that the research may bring them • Provide everyone with sufficient information about the research that they can make an informed decision about whether to participate • Maintain their privacy • Allow subjects to withdraw from the project at any time

33. Mentor’s Guidance • If you will be interviewing or polling or in any way using people in your research, OR • If you will be using animals in your research Ask your mentor for guidance; it is your job to ensure that your activities are legal and ethical.