Contacts: Rob Duncan, (505) 277.3186 Theresa López, (505) 277.0528 Steve Carr, (505) 277.1821

November 21, 2003 UNM PLANS GRAND OPENING FOR NEW PROGRAM PROMOTING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES The University of New Mexico will host a campus-wide grand opening for its newest program – PROFOUND, Thursday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Lobo A&B rooms in the Student Union Building. The mission of PROFOUND, Program of Research Opportunities FOr UNDergraduates, focuses on student employment through research opportunities to increase retention rates; to improve communication and provide unity within the UNM research community; and as a resource for future funding opportunities. “I believe the key word in Program of Research Opportunities FOr UNdergraduates is the word opportunities,” said Theresa López, program coordinator.  “We are putting forth new opportunities for UNM undergraduates to explore.  Undergraduate study does not have to be limited to attending class, taking notes and remembering the information for the exam.  “It is a time in students’ lives for undergraduates to actively begin taking part in planning their lives.  It is my belief that a handful of students come to college with a clear understanding of what they want to study and what they want to do for the rest of their lives, while the others are still looking.” The PROFOUND office will essentially serve as a one-stop clearing-house for all externally funded programs on campus that employ students in research. It is designed to bring students and faculty interested in participating in undergraduate research with a place to facilitate and build a working relationship. Interested students can apply online and will be tracked by the office when a faculty member or research group employs them. Faculty can utilize the online database of interested students and arrange an interview with prospective students for possible research employment. The program will assist faculty in efforts to secure more sponsored research opportunities for undergraduates and provide undergraduates with a resource to obtain more information on potential faculty research employment opportunities. “Of our total sponsored research commitments at UNM, which amounts to more than $250 million per year, over 324 grants have a budget line for undergraduate pay,” said Rob Duncan, associate dean for Research and professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department. “This makes UNM an excellent place for students to get involved in world class research efforts. Students who are employed on campus typically have a much higher success rate, both in retention and in GPA, so this is an excellent way to leverage UNM’s strong research position to help advance our primary undergraduate teaching mission.” The PROFOUND office gives students the opportunity to “try out” an area they have an interest in.  For some it may cement their choice of careers, others may find that it is not at all what they envisioned and modify their area of study accordingly, and for those who were “shopping” for a career – they may come across a perfect fit, says López. “The opening Office of Undergraduate Research is an exciting development for UNM students,” said UNM Regents’ Scholar Louis Metzger, a senior majoring in Biochemistry and a 2003 Goldwater Scholar. “This office will match professors with undergraduate students seeking research experience.  UNM is a superb research institution with significant opportunities for undergraduates to involve themselves in research.  Undergraduate research provides students with academic support networks, applied learning and the chance to make unique contributions to their fields of study.  Such work leads to graduate school and career opportunities. “I credit my undergraduate research experiences and faculty mentor David Vanderjagt with fostering my continued interest in biomedical research.  Undergraduate research has added depth to my university education that I could not have foreseen. It is my hope that the Office of Undergraduate Research will help increasing numbers of UNM students to have similar experiences.” For more information on PROFOUND, call López at 277-0528 or visit their website at: www.unm.edu/~profound. # # #

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The University of New Mexico
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