Publication Date
9-1-2022
Abstract
Dr. Cerrone Foster, an award-winning scientist teaching at East Tennessee State University, is the new interim director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.
The office hosts a variety of events, such as the Dr. Jay S. Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium, each year with a goal of aiding undergraduates with their research. The office also provides funding opportunities to support student research.
Dr. Cerrone Foster
One of Foster’s goals is to increase the number of students who engage with the office.
“We want to ensure that opportunities are equitable and remove any barriers that may prevent students from doing research,” she said. “We plan to work more with faculty in mentoring and strengthening student-faculty relationships. Another major goal is to develop and increase the number of students involved in international research opportunities.”
Participating in undergraduate research as a student, Foster said, “not only broadens their knowledge and skills, but it helps them build community and a sense of belonging in their discipline and campus.”
With Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities open to any undergraduate student in any discipline, Foster wants to help students “reframe their idea of research and see themselves as being able to contribute to new ideas that will shape the world.”
Foster is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and began her research career at ETSU as an undergraduate summer research intern. Earlier this year, she won the university’s Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching. It is the highest teaching honor that ETSU gives to a faculty member.
To learn more about Undergraduate Research, visit etsu.edu/honors/ug_research/.
Document Type
News Article
