UMBC Biological Sciences Department

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/54

With more than 30 tenured and tenure-track faculty members and lecturers, UMBC’s Department of Biological Sciences is one of the university’s largest academic departments encompassing a wide breadth of research and teaching. Research faculty in the Biological Sciences focus on:

Cell Biology
Computational Biology
Developmental Biology & Immunology
Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Neuroscience
Plant Biology

The department offers a full complement of baccalaureate and graduate programs leading to B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees, which are recognized for their emphasis on research, scientific approach, faculty contact, and extensive laboratory offerings. These programs serve to train a broad spectrum of future biologists and researchers, and to prepare students for graduate and professional schools.

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Functional analysis of regA paralog rlsD in Volvox carteri
(Wiley, 2024-10-22) Jiménez-Marín, Berenice; Ortega-Escalante, José A.; Tyagi, Antariksh; Seah, Jundhi; Olson, Bradley J. S. C.; Miller, Stephen M.
Volvox carteri is an excellent system for investigating the origins of cell differentiation because it possesses just two cell types, reproductive gonidia and motile somatic cells, which evolved relatively recently. The somatic phenotype depends on the regA gene, which represses cell growth and reproduction, preventing cells expressing it from growing large enough to become gonidia. regA encodes a putative transcription factor and was generated in an undifferentiated ancestor of V. carteri through duplication of a progenitor gene whose ortholog in V. carteri is named rlsD. Here we analyze the function of rlsD through knockdown, overexpression, and RNA-seq experiments, to gain clues into the function of a member of an understudied putative transcription factor family and to obtain insight into the origins of cell differentiation in the volvocine algae. rlsD knockdown was lethal, while rlsD overexpression dramatically reduced gonidial growth. rlsD overexpression led to differential expression of approximately one-fourth of the genome, with repressed genes biased for those typically overexpressed in gonidia relative to somatic cells, and upregulated genes biased toward expression in soma, where regA expression is high. Notably, rlsD overexpression affects accumulation of transcripts for genes/Pfam domains involved in ribosome biogenesis, photosynthetic light harvesting, and sulfate generation, functions related to organismal growth, and responses to resource availability. We also found that in the wild type, rlsD expression is induced by light deprivation. These findings are consistent with the idea that cell differentiation in V. carteri evolved when a resource-responsive, growth-regulating gene was amplified, and a resulting gene duplicate was co-opted to repress growth in a constitutive, spatial context.
System Change Evaluation of a State-System Approach to Faculty Diversification
(Understanding Interventions Journal, 2024-10-31) Carter-Veale, Wendy Y.; Cresiski, Robin H.; Sharp, Gwen
Women and people of color continue to be underrepresented among academic faculty in higher education, particularly in STEM fields. We use the Water Systems of Change theoretical framework and a qualitative document analysis to evaluate a case study of five institutions within a state university system that formed the NSF-funded AGEP PROMISE Academy Alliance (APAA) to address a shortage of faculty from minoritized backgrounds in the biomedical sciences. The APAA developed and implemented a novel intervention that focuses on minoritized postdoctoral scholar recruitment, development, and conversion into tenure-track faculty roles, while leveraging the state system as a collaborative body. We assess the program’s transformative influence on the university system and participating institutions, revealing changes at the structural, relational, and transformative levels.
Harnessing the AI/ML in Drug and Biological Products Discovery and Development: The Regulatory Perspective
(2024-10-30) Mirakhori, Fahimeh; Niazi, Sarfaraz K.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the disruptive potential to transform patients’ lives via innovations in pharmaceutical sciences, drug development, clinical trials, and manufacturing. However, it presents significant challenges, ethical concerns, and risks across sectors and societies. AI’s rapid advancement has revealed regulatory gaps as existing public policies struggle to keep pace with the challenges posed by these emerging technologies. The term AI itself has become commonplace to argue that greater “human oversight” for “machine intelligence” is needed to harness the power of this revolutionary technology for both potential and risk management, and hence to call for more practical regulatory guidelines, harmonized frameworks, and effective policies to ensure safety, scalability, data privacy, and governance, transparency, and equitable treatment. In this review paper, we employ a holistic multidisciplinary lens to overview the current regulatory landscape with a synopsis of the FDA workshop perspectives on the use of AI in drug and biological product development. We discuss the promises of responsible data-driven AI, challenges and related practices adopted to overcome limitations, and our practical reflections on regulatory oversight. Finally, the paper outlines a path forward and future opportunities for lawful ethical AI. This review highlights the importance of risk-based regulatory oversight, including diverging views in the field, in reaching a consensus.
Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
(Cureus, 2024-10-13) Njei, Basile; Al-Ajlouni, Yazan; Lemos, Samira Y.; Ugwendum, Derek; Ameyaw, Prince; Njei, Lea-Pearl; Boateng, Sarpong
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) poses a major global health challenge. glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown potential therapeutic benefits for MASLD patients, including improvements in liver function, inflammation, and fibrosis. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs in MASLD patients, focusing on hepatic outcomes, cardiovascular outcomes, anthropometric measurements, and mortality. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive database search was conducted to include RCTs assessing GLP-1RAs' effects on MASLD. Quality assessment was conducted using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Our meta-analysis used a random-effects model, calculating standardized mean differences for continuous outcomes to determine the agents' efficacy and safety. Additionally, funnel plots were generated to assess publication bias, ensuring the integrity of our meta-analytical findings. The review included 27 trials, revealing GLP-1RAs significantly improved hepatic function markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and liver fat content) and cardiovascular risk factors (fasting blood sugar, HbA1c levels, lipid profiles). Additionally, GLP-1RAs were associated with significant reductions in body weight, BMI, subcutaneous fat, and waist circumference. GLP-1RAs demonstrate a promising therapeutic role in managing MASLD, offering benefits that extend to improving liver function, mitigating cardiovascular risk, and promoting weight loss. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and optimize GLP-1RAs' usage in MASLD treatment.
The Use of Guided Reflections in Learning Proof Writing
(MDPI, 2024-10-04) Hoffman, Kathleen; Williams, Tory; Kephart, Kerrie
We investigated written self-reflections in an undergraduate proof-writing course designed to mitigate the difficulty of a subsequent introductory analysis course. Students wrote weekly self-reflections guided by mechanical, structural, creative, and critical thinking modalities. Our research was guided by three research questions focused on the impact of student self-reflections on student metacognition and performance in the interventional and follow-up class. To address these questions, we categorized the quality of the students’ reflections and calculated their average course grades within each category in the proof-writing, the prerequisite, and the introductory analysis courses. The results demonstrated that writing high-quality self-reflections was a statistically significant predictor of earning higher average course grades in the proof-writing course and the analysis course, but not in the prerequisite course. Convergence over the semester of the students’ self-evaluations toward an experts’ scorings on a modality rubric indicates that students improve in their understanding of the modalities. The repeated writing of guided self-reflections using the framework of the modalities seems to support growth in the students’ awareness of their proof-writing abilities.
Guanine nucleotide exchange factors and colon neoplasia
(Frontiers, 2024-10-17) Njei, Lea-Pearl; Sampaio Moura, Natalia; Schledwitz, Alyssa; Griffiths, Kelly; Cheng, Kunrong; Raufman, Jean-Pierre
Despite many diagnostic and therapeutic advances, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States. Alarmingly, for reasons currently unknown, the demographics of this disease have shifted towards a younger population. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC initiation and progression and leveraging these findings for therapeutic purposes remains a priority. Here, we review critically the evidence that canonical and noncanonical actions of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in CRC evolution. Rho GEF GTPases, which switch between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states, are commonly overexpressed and activated in a variety of cancers, including CRC, and may be tractable therapeutic targets. In addition to comprehensively reviewing this field, we focus on Rho/Rac GEFs that are involved in regulating key functions of normal and neoplastic cells like cell polarity, vesicle trafficking, cell cycle regulation, and transcriptional dynamics. Prime examples of such Rho/Rac GEFs include βPak-interacting exchange factor (βPix), a Rho family GEF for Cdc42/Rac1, Tiam1, GEF-H1, RGNEF, and other GEFs implicated in CRC development and progression. Throughout this analysis, we explore how these findings fill key gaps in knowledge regarding the molecular basis of colon carcinogenesis and how they may be leveraged to treat advanced CRC. Lastly, we address potential future directions for research into the role of GEFs as CRC biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this regard, leveraging the noncanonical actions of GEFs appears to provide a relatively unexplored opportunity requiring further investigation.
Transcriptomic analyses of bacterial growth on fungal necromass reveal different microbial community niches during degradation
(ASM, 2024-09-12) Novak, Jessica K.; Kennedy, Peter G.; Gardner, Jeffrey
Bacteria are major drivers of organic matter decomposition and play crucial roles in global nutrient cycling. Although the degradation of dead fungal biomass (necromass) is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, the genes and metabolic pathways involved in necromass degradation are less characterized. In particular, how bacteria degrade necromass containing different quantities of melanin, which largely control rates of necromass decomposition in situ, is largely unknown. To address this gap, we conducted a multi-timepoint transcriptomic analysis using three Gram-negative bacterial species grown on low or high melanin necromass of Hyaloscypha bicolor. The bacterial species, Cellvibrio japonicus, Chitinophaga pinensis, and Serratia marcescens, belong to genera known to degrade necromass in situ. We found that while bacterial growth was consistently higher on low than high melanin necromass, the CAZyme-encoding gene expression response of the three species was similar between the two necromass types. Interestingly, this trend was not shared for genes encoding nitrogen utilization, which varied in C. pinensis and S. marcescens during growth on high vs low melanin necromass. Additionally, this study tested the metabolic capabilities of these bacterial species to grow on a diversity of C and N sources and found that the three bacteria have substantially different utilization patterns. Collectively, our data suggest that as necromass changes chemically over the course of degradation, certain bacterial species are favored based on their differential metabolic capacities.
Exposing Postdocs to Multiple Institutional Types: A PROMISE-ing Intervention to Prepare Biomedical Faculty
(Frontiers, 2024-10-15) Cresiski, Robin H.; Ugarte, Fadel; Harris, Lakeisha; Clark, Jessica
Biomedical faculty positions require experience as a postdoctoral scholar (or "postdoc"). However, there is a current misalignment with postdoctoral training and workforce needs within higher education. The majority of postdocs are trained to be research faculty while completing fellowships at research-intensive universities, despite the fact that the majority of US higher educational institutions (where these postdocs may be employed) focus on undergraduate education. This leads to postdoctoral scholars not having the opportunity to gain exposure to different institutional types where they could be employed. Importantly, they also lack the opportunity to build a network or receive mentorship from faculty at non-R1 institutions. This may be particularly true of underrepresented scholars. In this brief report, we describe the practice of the NSF-funded PROMISE Academy Alliance to bridge this training gap and support greater preparation for faculty careers at an array of institutional types by leveraging collaboration within a state university system. A survey of PROMISE Academy Fellows about their structured experiences engaging with other campuses (e.g., campus tours, workshops, speaking opportunities) reveals that visits to other campuses within the state system are informative and impactful, both on their research and their employment interests. The positive findings can hopefully inspire easy-to-implement changes in postdoctoral support across other university systems or regional consortia.
Atmospheric Gravity Wave Detection Using Transfer Learning Techniques
(IEEE, 2022-12) González, Jorge López; Chapman, Theodore; Chen, Kathryn; Nguyen, Hannah; Chambers, Logan; Mostafa, Seraj Al Mahmud; Wang, Jianwu; Purushotham, Sanjay; Wang, Chenxi; Yue, Jia
Atmospheric gravity waves are produced when gravity attempts to restore disturbances through stable layers in the atmosphere. They have a visible effect on many atmospheric phenomena such as global circulation and air turbulence. Despite their importance, however, little research has been conducted on how to detect gravity waves using machine learning algorithms. We faced two major challenges in our research: our raw data had a lot of noise and the labeled dataset was extremely small. In this study, we explored various methods of preprocessing and transfer learning in order to address those challenges. We pre-trained an autoencoder on unlabeled data before training it to classify labeled data. We also created a custom CNN by combining certain pre-trained layers from the InceptionV3 Model trained on ImageNet with custom layers and a custom learning rate scheduler. Experiments show that our best model outperformed the best performing baseline model by 6.36% in terms of test accuracy.
Economic Impact of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Compared With Clinical Blood Pressure Monitoring: A Simulation Model
(Sage, 2024-01-01) Hayek, Michelle A.; Catacora, Alejandro; Lawley, Mark A.; Kum, Hye-Chung; Ohsfeldt, Robert L.
Background: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the gold standard for proper diagnosis of hypertension. Yet, access to ABPM in the U.S. is limited, and the extent of coverage by commercial health plans remains uncertain, potentially limiting access to ABPM among commercially insured patients. Objective: This study aims to assess the net cost impact of using ABPM in comparison to clinical blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) in the U.S. over a 5-year time period. Design methods: Using a Markov Model, we estimate the 5-year cumulative cost impact of using ABPM to confirm a prior diagnosis of primary hypertension using CBPM to avoid treatment for white-coat hypertension (WCH) in a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients from a U.S. healthcare system perspective. The probability and cost inputs for the model were derived from available literature. Base-case model parameters were varied to account for different scenarios. Results: Base-case results indicate using ABPM instead of CBPM over 5 years saves a total of $348,028, reflecting an average per-person-per-year (PPPY) cost saving of $70. In sensitivity analyses, almost all cases reveal ABPM as a cost-saving approach compared to CBPM, with cost savings reaching up to $228 PPPY in the highest hypertension treatment cost model. Regression results reveal that ABPM was cost-saving compared to CBPM if ABPM annual payment rates are $100 or less and annual hypertension treatment costs are ⩾$300. Conclusion: The potential cost-savings of using ABPM instead of CBPM found in our simulation model underscores the need for confirmatory research using real-world data to support increased use of ABPM as the standard diagnostic approach for hypertension.
In Situ Enzymatic Conversion of Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 Biomass into Fatty Acid Methyl Esters
(Springer, 2017-06-01) Wang, Yao; Lee, Yi-Ying; Santaus, Tonya; Newcomb, Charles E.; Liu, Jin; Geddes, Chris; Zhang, Chengwu; Hu, Qiang; Li, Yantao
Conventionally, production of methyl ester fuels from microalgae occurs through an energy-intensive two-step chemical extraction and transesterification process. To improve the energy efficiency, we performed in situ enzymatic conversion of whole algae biomass from an oleaginous heterokont microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 with the immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica. The fatty acid methyl ester yield reached 107.7% for dry Nannochloropsis biomass at biomass to t-butanol to methanol weight ratio of 1:2:0.5 and a reaction time of 12 h at 25 °C, representing the first report of efficient whole algae biomass conversion into fatty acid methyl esters at room temperature. Different forms of algal biomass including wet Nannochloropsis biomass were tested. The maximum yield of wet biomass was 81.5%. Enzyme activity remained higher than 95% after 55 days of treatment (equal to 110 cycles of reaction) under the conditions optimized for dry algae biomass conversion. The low reaction temperature, high enzyme stability, and high yield from this study indicate in situ enzymatic conversion of dry algae biomass may potentially be used as an energy-efficient method for algal methyl ester fuel production while allowing co-product recovery.
Intentional mentoring networks for minoritized postdocs within a university system.
(The University of New Mexico, 2023) Anumiller, J. G.; Enekwe, B. O.; Carter-Veale, Wendy Y.; Cresiski, Robin H.
Postdoctoral scholars have traditionally received mentoring from a single mentor (creating a “dyad”), limiting the psychosocial support they receive, which is particularly challenging for minoritized scholars (Deanna et al., 2022; Ransdell, et al., 2021). The AGEP Promise Academy Alliance (APAA) (Cresiski et al., 2022) provides multiple mentors for postdoctoral fellows to expand their academic, professional, and support networks. This mixed-method case study involves postdoctoral fellows in the APAA faculty conversion program to identify the extent to which these multiple mentoring opportunities occurred and benefited the APAA fellows. Surveys administered to participants and their non research mentors elucidate the mentorship experience. The findings provide insights for implementing a multi-mentor network within a state university system. This study explores the broader ecosystem of mentorship and its influence on the advancement of minoritized postdocs in biomedical sciences, particularly those who may experience social isolation within their departments. It recognizes that mentorship extends beyond the formal research mentor-mentee relationship and encompasses a network of support that can positively impact the career trajectories and professional development of minoritized individuals. Scholars report benefits from having multiple mentoring opportunities within their institution, within the university system, and from external scholars through our mentors in residence program. “Just in time” mentoring on time-sensitive issues supplemented sustained mentoring. The inclusion of inter-institutional peers, administrators and faculty mentors enhanced this multiple mentor model. Minoritized postdoctoral scholars often have limited opportunities to receive mentorship (Yadav et al., 2020). Mentoring in dyads remains pervasive, though multiple mentors have been proposed (Deanna et al., 2022). We demonstrate that state university systems can be leveraged to provide a unique ecosystem of both short and sustained mentoring interactions that benefit minoritized postdocs without overburdening already over-worked faculty mentors.
Leveraging State University Systems for Postdoctoral Development
(National Postdoctoral Association, 2023-06-30) Enekwe, Blessing; Cresiski, Robin H.
Unlocking Undergraduate Student Success: A Study of High-Impact Practices in a Comprehensive and Diverse College
(Florida State University, 2023-07-10) Shi, Qingmin; Cresiski, Robin H.; Thanki, Sandip; Navarrete, Lori
This study examines undergraduate senior students’ participation in high-impact practices (HIPs) and the relationship of that participation with engagement indicators, perceived gains, and overall satisfaction, as well as institutional outcomes of persistence and graduation based on race/ethnicity, first-generation status, and low-income status. Drawing on multiple years of data from 1,482 undergraduate seniors who completed the 2015 through 2019 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and enrolled in a comprehensive four-year state college, this study indicates that HIP participants reported higher levels of engagement, perceived gains, and overall satisfaction. Participation in HIPs is also positively related to improved persistence or graduation, particularly for racially minoritized students. While overall participation patterns were similar regardless of race/ethnicity or first-generation status, low-income students had higher participation rates in HIPs and participated in more kinds of HIPs as compared to their non-low-income counterparts. Implications of implementing and increasing access to HIPs for enhancing student success in similar institutions are discussed.
T Cell-Independent and Toll-like Receptor-Dependent Antigen-Driven Activation of Autoreactive B Cells
(Elsevier, 2008-08-15) Cresiski, Robin H.; Christensen, Sean R.; Sweet, Rebecca A.; Hershberg, Uri; Shlomchik, Mark J.
On the lupus-prone MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL-lpr) background, AM14 rheumatoid factor (RF) B cells are activated, differentiate into plasmablasts, and undergo somatic hypermutation outside of follicles. Using multiple strategies to impair T cells, we found that such AM14 B cell activation did not require T cells but could be modulated by them. In vitro, the signaling adaptor MyD88 is required for IgG anti-chromatin to stimulate AM14 B cell proliferation when T cells are absent. However, the roles of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in AM14 B cell activation in vivo have not been investigated. We found that activation, expansion, and differentiation of AM14 B cells depended on MyD88; however, mice lacking either TLR7 or TLR9 displayed partial defects, indicating complex roles for these receptors. T cell-independent activation of certain autoreactive B cells, which gain stimuli via endogenous TLR ligands instead of T cells, may be the initial step in the generation of canonical autoantibodies.
Anti-chromatin antibodies drive in vivo antigen-specific activation and somatic hypermutation of rheumatoid factor B cells at extrafollicular sites
(Wiley, 2007-11-29) Cresiski, Robin H.; William, Jacqueline; Hershberg, Uri; Shlomchik, Mark J.
A dominant type of spontaneous autoreactive B cell activation in murine lupus is the extrafollicular generation of plasmablasts. The factors governing such activation have been difficult to identify due to the stochastic onset and chronic nature of the response. Thus, the ability to induce a similar autoreactive B cell response with a known autoantigen in vivo would be a powerful tool in deciphering how autoimmune responses are initiated. We report here the establishment and characterization of a system to initiate autoreactive extrafollicular B cell responses, using IgG anti-chromatin antibodies, that closely mirrors the spontaneous response. We demonstrate that exogenously administered anti-chromatin antibody, presumably by forming immune complexes with released nuclear material, drives activation of rheumatoid factor B cells in AM14 Tg mice. Anti-chromatin elicits autoreactive B cell activation and development into antibody-forming cells at the T zone/red pulp border. Plasmablast generation occurs equally in BALB/c, MRL/+ and MRL/lpr mice, indicating that an autoimmune-prone genetic background is not required for the induced response. Importantly, infused IgG anti-chromatin induces somatic hypermutation in the absence of a GC response, thus proving the extrafollicular somatic hypermutation pathway. This system provides a window on the initiation of an autoantibody response and reveals authentic initiators of it.
Two Virtual Labs to Study Genetic Inheritance in the Fruit Fly
(ASM, 2013-05-06) Cresiski, Robin H.
A comparative review of two virtual labs to study genetic inheritance in the fruit fly: Virtual Courseware for Inquiry-based Science Education - Drosophila and Virtual Genetics Laboratory II (UMass Boston).
A Case Study of Professional Boundary Issues Experienced by Undergraduate Psychology Students in a Supervised Field Experience Course
(Sage, 2013-09-01) Sharp, Gwen; Yao, Richard; Cresiski, Robin H.; Hahn, Kate
There has been little research on the types of boundary issues encountered in undergraduate psychology field experience courses, despite the increased popularity of such courses. This case study identifies the frequency and types of boundary issues faced by undergraduate psychology students enrolled in such a course, including the most common issues experienced at different types of placements. The case study included 50 students enrolled in a supervised undergraduate psychology field experience course at a small public teaching institution. Boundary issues, including inappropriate comments, behavior, or physical contact from employees or clients, were not uncommon, but varied based on student characteristics and type of placement. Women reported more frequent, and serious, inappropriate comments and behavior than men. Boundary issues were most common in drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies. The findings from this case study suggest several steps field experience supervisors may take to improve the learning experience for students.
Undergraduate Bioinformatics Workshops Provide Perceived Skills
(ASM, 2014-12-15) Cresiski, Robin H.
Bioinformatics is becoming an important part of undergraduate curriculum, but expertise and well-evaluated teaching materials may not be available on every campus. Here, a guest speaker was utilized to introduce bioinformatics and web-available exercises were adapted for student investigation. Students used web-based nucleotide comparison tools to examine the medical and evolutionary relevance of a unidentified genetic sequence. Based on pre- and post-workshop surveys, there were significant gains in the students understanding of bioinformatics, as well as their perceived skills in using bioinformatics tools. The relevance of bioinformatics to a student’s career seemed dependent on career aspirations.
An inclusive Research and Education Community (iREC) model to facilitate undergraduate science education reform
(Frontiers, 2024-08-21) Monti, Denise L.; Gill, Julia C.; Adair, Tamarah L.; Adams, Sandra D.; Ahumada-Santos, Yesmi Patricia; Amaya, Isabel; Anders, Kirk; Anderson, Justin R.; Antunes, Mauricio S.; Ayuk, Mary; Baliraine, Frederick; Bates, Tonya C.; Beyer, Andrea R.; Bhalla, Suparna; Bouklas, Tejas; Bullock, Sharon K.; Butela, Kristen A.; Byrum, Christine; Caruso, Steven; Chong, Rebecca; Chung, Hui-Min; Conant, Stephanie B.; Condon, Brett; Crump, Katie E.; D'Elia, Tom; Dennis, Megan K.; DeVeaux, Linda C.; Diacovich, Lautaro; Diaz, Arturo; Duffy, Iain; Edwards, Dustin; Fallest-Strobl, Patricia C.; Findley, Ann; Fisher, Matthew R.; Fogarty, Marie P.; Frost, Victoria Jane; Gainey, Maria D.; Galle, Courtney S.; Gibb, Bryan; Golebiewska, Urszula; Gramajo, Hugo; Grinath, Anna S.; Guerrero, Jennifer; Guild, Nancy; Gunn, Kathryn E.; Gurney, Susan; Hughes, Lee E.; Jayachandran, Pradeepa; Johnson, Kristen; Johnson, Allison; Kanak, Alison E.; Kanther, Michelle L.; King, Rodney A.; Kohl, Kathryn; Lee-Soety, Julia; Lewis, Lynn O.; Lindberg, Heather; Madden, Jaclyn A.; Martin, Breonna J.; Mastropaolo, Matthew D.; McClory, Sean; Merkhofer, Evan C.; Merkle, Julie A.; Mitchell, Jon; Mussi, María Alejandra; Nieto, Fernando; Nissen, Jillian; Nsa, Imade Yolanda; O'Donnell, Mary G.; Overath, R. Deborah; Page, Shallee T.; Panagakis, Andrea; Parra Unda, Jesús Ricardo; Pass, Michelle B.; Perez Morales, Tiara; Peters, Nick T.; Plymale, Ruth; Pollenz, Richard; Reyna, Nathan S.; Rinehart, Claire A.; Rocheleau, Jessica; Rombold, John S.; Rossier, Ombeline; Rudner, Adam D.; Rueschhoff, Elizabeth E.; Shaffer, Christopher D.; Smith, Mary Ann V.; Sprenkle, Amy B.; Sunnen, C. Nicole; Thomas, Michael A.; Tigges, Michelle M.; Tobiason, Deborah; Tolsma, Sara Sybesma; Torruellas Garcia, Julie; Uetz, Peter; Vazquez, Edwin; Ward, Catherine M.; Ware, Vassie C.; Washington, Jacqueline M.; Waterman, Matthew J.; Westholm, Daniel E.; Wheaton, Keith A.; White, Simon J.; Williams, Elizabeth C.; Williams, Daniel C.; Wisner, Ellen M.; Biederman, William H.; Cresawn, Steven G.; Heller, Danielle M.; Jacobs-Sera, Deborah; Russell, Daniel A.; Hatfull, Graham F.; Asai, David J.; Hanauer, David I.; Graham, Mark J.; Sivanathan, Viknesh
Over the last two decades, there have been numerous initiatives to improve undergraduate student outcomes in STEM. One model for scalable reform is the inclusive Research Education Community (iREC). In an iREC, STEM faculty from colleges and universities across the nation are supported to adopt and sustainably implement course-based research – a form of science pedagogy that enhances student learning and persistence in science. In this study, we used pathway modeling to develop a qualitative description that explicates the HHMI Science Education Alliance (SEA) iREC as a model for facilitating the successful adoption and continued advancement of new curricular content and pedagogy. In particular, outcomes that faculty realize through their participation in the SEA iREC were identified, organized by time, and functionally linked. The resulting pathway model was then revised and refined based on several rounds of feedback from over 100 faculty members in the SEA iREC who participated in the study. Our results show that in an iREC, STEM faculty organized as a long-standing community of practice leverage one another, outside expertise, and data to adopt, implement, and iteratively advance their pedagogy. The opportunity to collaborate in this manner and, additionally, to be recognized for pedagogical contributions sustainably engages STEM faculty in the advancement of their pedagogy. Here, we present a detailed pathway model of SEA that, together with underpinning features of an iREC identified in this study, offers a framework to facilitate transformations in undergraduate science education.

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