Stay CALM and research on: teaching human subjects and laboratory research to undergraduates through fully independent projects 3051

Abstract Description Undergraduate STEM education benefits greatly from involving students in research, often through a “research for course credit” model where they join existing projects. However, most students join existing research groups with existing questions thus undergraduates are almost never afforded the opportunity to develop truly independent lines of inquiry that can be experimentally tested and analyzed through a fully self-driven process, leading to reduced engagement and an incomplete understanding of the research process. To address this, I created Trojan Cortisol Assessment and Laboratory Measurement (Trojan CALM), a fully student-driven research project investigating stress in the university population. Students identify unique research questions, create or amend IRB protocols, recruit participants, write grants, conduct cortisol assays, analyze data, and draw conclusions—all with minimal intervention from me as their faculty advisor. This hands-on approach has resulted in higher student engagement and a deeper understanding of how research is conducted, in addition to a better understanding of stress at our university. Trojan CALM serves as a model for institutions seeking to provide undergraduates with a more comprehensive, independent research experience. Funding Sources Supported by USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmacuetical Sciences Grant Topic Categories Immunology Education and Communication (EDU)