Aug 27 2010
Dr. Kristi Haik, an associate biology professor at Northern Kentucky University, has received the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Biology Division Mentor Award for her efforts in serving as a role model to students and other mentors of undergraduate research nationwide.
The award, in its inaugural year, was highly competitive. CUR represents over 900 colleges and universities across the country and received applicants from all over.
"To be able to say that NKU is the winner of a national undergraduate research mentoring award is so huge because NKU has been pushing hard to support undergraduate research," Dr. Haik said. "Everyone here is so supportive. They're fantastic."
Dr. Haik's undergraduate biology students have proven themselves worthy of recognition through their research and publications. Twenty-three students mentored by Dr. Haik have completed 73 abstracts at local, state and national conferences. These students also wrote 23 grant proposals, 22 in which were awarded. Many of her students have also co-written publications for various peer-review journals.
"I'm proud of how hard they work and of their successes," Dr. Haik said. "It's been my experience that if you work hard the successes follow."
Dr. Haik and her students base most of their research around the brain, specifically, developing models and treatments for neurological diseases, disorders and injuries. Their current projects include investigating uses of nanotechnology, Parkinson's disease and heavy metal toxicity.
Source: http://www.nku.edu/