Biology Research Technique Workshops

One-day STEM Research Technique Workshops in Cardiology, Cybersecurity (April 2nd )Damped Oscillation, and Forensics PCR Investigation will be offered on Saturday, April 1st or April 2nd , 2023. Click here for details.

 


Each workshop will have 16 slots due to the space and equipment limits. Perspective participants need to
register online to provide students’ basic information, academic background such as major, year of enrollment, and the choice of the workshop. At the end of the day, all participants will receive a certificate for the successfully completed 8-hour workshop in the perspective area and will be required to assess the workshop in a brief online questionnaire.


Cardiology

Exploring a Case Study in Cardiology: Be a Cardiologist for a Day!

This workshop introduces students to the human heart. It goes through a case study of what can go wrong with the heart.  Students learn how nutrition affects the heart as well as important facts about the heart.  Students see the anatomy of the heart using cutting-edge 3D technology and get hands-on experience by dissecting a heart. Students learn the pathophysiology of a myocardial infarction. Other skills performed during this workshop include taking a cardiac medical history, learning how to take vital signs including blood pressure, and how to perform an EKG.
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Cybersecurity (Sunday, April 2nd )
Introduction to Cybersecurity

 

The cybersecurity workshop gives students a peek into the exciting and amazing world of cybersecurity, and a look at some of the key issues involved in the field. It will feature several exciting activities, including:

  • Practical examples of common cyber attacks and defenses
  • Cyber games and competitions
  • Explanation of some of the technical terms used in cybersecurity
  • Learning about the types of cybersecurity jobs available in the workplace

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the emerging field of cybersecurity and will be able to determine which aspects of this very much in-demand field are of interest to them either as a career option or just for fun.
 

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Damped Oscillation


“We Will Rock You”: Studying damped oscillation in pendulum and spring-mass systems

 

Oscillations form the basis of any periodic motion, from a pendulum or a child on a swing, spring-mass systems and musical instruments, to atomic vibrations or a cell phone signal. Starting with the basics, you will learn about simple harmonic motion and how it relates to oscillatory systems. From there, you will delve through progressive level of complexity to the fascinating world of damped oscillations and discover how to quantify the damping coefficient. By the end of this workshop, you will learn various aspects of experimental design and modeling in a quantitative experimental system. You will also study real life applications, gather data and analyze results, determining properties of periodic and damped systems.

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Forensic PCR Investigation
A day in the life of a forensic investigator! – CSI: Jackson

 

This workshop introduces students to the science of forensic biology. Forensic biologists play an essential role in solving crimes by examining and analyzing evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime or absolve an innocent person from suspicion. Activities performed by forensic scientists are examining fingerprints, screening toxicology profiles of the deceased and potential suspects, performing PCR, and other forensic activities. In this lab, students will process the DNA of victims and suspects to identify the victim’s attacker.

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The workshops are supported through HBCU-UP funded by the National Science Foundation’s Implementation Grant # 1912191.


Be a neuroscientist for a Day! Master immunohistochemistry technique and fluorescence microscopy imaging


This workshop introduces students to immunohistochemistry (IHC), the workhorse technique used in neuroscience research and pathological diagnosis. Students will learn basic theory, procedure, data collection, and interpretation of this antibody-based technique and conduct hands-on immunostaining and imaging of neurons and glial cells in brain sections from lab animals.