In 2013, Emina Stojkovic, Associate Professor at Northeastern Illinois University was awarded a Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) grant from MCB to study light-responsive proteins in the development of myxobacteria. The RUI award mechanism is designed to support faculty at predominately undergraduate institutions conducting research that engages them in their professional field, builds capacity for research at their home institution, and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education.
We are excited to report that Dr. Stojkovic’s research, mentoring, and advising activities at the undergraduate level have resulted in four students being awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships to support their graduate studies. Two of the students, Angela Varela and Anna Baker, were undergraduate researchers trained in Stojkovic’s laboratory by working on the RUI project. The other two students, Daniel Westcott and Christopher Craddock were trained in research groups that collaborated with Stojkovic on interdisciplinary projects. The students share more about their research interests in this press release provided by Northeastern Illinois University. In response to this news Dr. Stojkovic states, “The impact that NSF has had on our alumni and the students who are on their way to graduate from our department is tremendous. I am honored and grateful to serve in the role of a mentor and primary investigator.”