The BSP, established in 1997, is an invited program for accredited universities and four-year colleges in the United States. It provides scholarships that contribute to advancing the education, research training and personal development of select students in chemistry, biochemistry, and the biological and medical sciences.
“The Beckman scholarships will allow these cream-of-the-crop students to work in the lab of their choice alongside a mentor,” said Laura McCabe, director of the MSU Beckman Scholars Program and professor of physiology and radiology. “The ultimate goal is to train them to be highly competent in research. We’re capitalizing on the interdisciplinary nature of research here at MSU,” she added. “Being exposed to researchers from different disciplines interacting with each other will help the students think more broadly and incorporate new ways of understanding things.”
The scholars also will attend special seminars and meetings, allowing them to practice presenting research findings. These experiences will set them apart from other students and make them strong candidates for graduate and professional programs.
“We are delighted that the Beckman Foundation selected Michigan State as one of the host institutions for this prestigious scholarship program,” said Mark Voit, associate dean for undergraduate studies in MSU’s College of Natural Science. “Only 12 institutions are selected each year, so it’s an honor that reflects very favorably on the caliber of life-science research at MSU, the quality of our undergraduate students and our college’s commitment to supporting undergraduate research.”
MSU will receive $115,800 in funding over three years for a total of six students. High-achieving students will be invited to apply for the scholarship at the end of their sophomore year. Three students will be selected to begin the program this summer, with a second cohort to follow next summer.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for MSU and we are truly honored to be chosen for this prestigious program,” said Douglas Estry, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies at MSU. “The Beckman scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for our high-performing undergraduate students to pursue important research work in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and the biological and medical sciences.”
The goal of the MSU BSP is to provide scholars with one-on-one mentored interactions combined with an intensive interdisciplinary research experience. Each scholar will choose his or her mentor, a researcher studying molecular metabolism and disease, neuroscience, evolution and big data sets or the intestinal microbiome and its role in health and diseases. More than 11 faculty members will be involved.
In addition to the College of Natural Science and College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Honors College and Lyman Briggs College also are program partners.