WISE Program Provides Real-World Research Experience for UC Undergraduate Women

Careers in science, engineering and medicine often require devoting years to academic preparation. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to “test drive” your career choice before you committed years of education to a specific career path? The participants in UC’s annual Research Experience for Women Undergraduates (REWU) program had just that opportunity this summer. Even better — they were paid for their experiential learning.

From June to September 2006, 21 UC undergraduate women worked side by side with mentors at the University of Cincinnati and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center as part of UC’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) summer research program. During the 12-week program, the women earned a stipend, attended presentations and participated actively in research projects.

Ultimately, the overarching goal of the WISE/REWU program is to involve more women in the research process early in their scientific careers. More specifically to the young women, however, is a chance to experience research outside their majors or within their majors. The students could apply for one of almost 50 options, based on the faculty description of the project and the discipline. Through this hands-on research experience, the students can focus their career goals and perhaps adjust the steps needed to achieve them.

Biological science major Jessica Miller has been planning to become a veterinarian after college. After her taste of research through WISE’s REWU, she has now decided to continue in research, as well as becoming a practicing veterinarian. Miller applauded the example set by her mentor, Donita Bylski-Austrow, an adjunct research assistant professor in pediatrics.

“I really respect my mentor. She is an intelligent woman in the science field, who has balanced a great career with family and fun,” says Miller. “She has inspired me to look into PhD programs when I apply to vet school.”

Meghan Welch, an education major with a science minor, enjoyed her summer in the geology lab — well, out in the field (and on the face of outcrops) — so much that she has decided to switch her major to full-time geology. Welch enjoyed the chance to do real research.

“It has given me the chance to experience what I would like to do as a career,” she says. “I have been given the opportunity to learn about the scientific method in a hands-on fashion. It’s great!”

Summary of 2006 projects

Presentations 

2006 REWU participants 

2006 Application Process (the timeline will be similar for 2007)