NDSU research program provides opportunities for tribal college students
Fargo, N.D., Aug. 5
Sixteen undergraduate students from all over the United States recently spent eight weeks in Fargo researching topics including the affects of toxins on wheat plants or developing biocomposite materials from natural fibers. One of those students was Margaret "Margo" Azure from Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, N.D. North Dakota State University officials hope Azure is the first of many students from tribal colleges around the state to participate in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Research Program.
Azure participated in the program, studying Natural Resource Management. Under the mentorship of Chad Ulven, NDSU assistant professor of mechanical engineering, she researched the development of natural fiber reinforced biocomposite materials from a North Dakota Cord Grass.
Since completing an associate's degree in Natural Resource Management at Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Azure plans to begin work toward a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource management at NDSU.
The goals of the program are to give students a graduate research experience, to encourage students to consider graduate school and to provide students an up-close look at North Dakota’s people and places. Last year, 10 students participated.
Two years ago, Evie Myers, vice president for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, and Deland Myers Sr., professor and director of the School of Food Systems, were tasked by NDSU President Joseph Chapman to find ways to get underrepresented students to campus, particularly in the science fields. Last summer, NDSU officials visited North Dakota tribal colleges to develop partnerships at each college allowing both institutions to build on each other's strengths. The NDSU Summer STEM Research program is one way to exercise the new relationships of the institutions.
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Participating students are involved in ongoing research projects for NDSU professors, lab activities and are often acknowledged as co-authors of research publications. Students work in biology, plant sciences, pharmacy, cereal science, soil science, plant pathology, communications, computer science, natural resources and exercise sciences.
Funding for the NDSU Summer STEM Research Program comes from NDSU, the National Science Foundation and Cargill. For more information, contact the NDSU Office of Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach at (701) 231-6358.
