PULLMAN – A set of 12 professors from seven Washington State University colleges have formed the school’s first Undergraduate Research Faculty Council.
“We are counting on the members to help us define ‘what is research?’ in terms of the undergraduate experience at WSU,” says David Bahr, director of Undergraduate Research, a core unit in the Office of Undergraduate Education.
Bahr, an associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering in the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), chairs the group. Members of the council include: Wendy Brown, Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine; Lori Carris, Plant Pathology, College of Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS); Andrew Duff, Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts (CLA); Kip Findley, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, CEA; Tim Freson, Health and Wellness Services, College of Education; Andrew Jorgenson, Sociology, CLA; Brian Lamb, Civil and Environmental Engineering, CEA; Laura Corley Lavine, Entomology, CAHNRS; John McNamara, Animal Sciences, CAHNRS; Mark Nelson, Animal Sciences, CAHNRS; Mike Skinner, Center for Integrated Biotechnology and Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Sciences; and David Whidbee, Finance, College of Business.
The Undergraduate Research unit began in fall 2006 with a charge to help organize the activity on campus, and to promote opportunities for students to engage in meaningful research and creative and scholarly activities with faculty as mentors and partners. Freshmen should be exposed to such opportunities as early in their academic careers as possible, says Bahr.
But, what is the true nature of research? Certainly, says Bahr, “not all is done in white lab coats.” Helping to define research and creative and scholarly activities in a variety of disciplines will be part of the council’s charge.
Bahr also notes that any faculty members interested in the council and its work are invited to contact him at dbahr@wsu.edu, or 509-335-8523.
