Oakland University recently received an award from the Merck Company Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The 2001-03 Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program (USRP) award will grant the university $20,000 per year for a period of up to three years, with $17,000 of the annual award going to the direct support of student research in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and $3,000 to establish related programs and activities. No more than 15 institutions will receive the award in 2001.

"Because of the enthusiasm and full cooperation of biology and chemistry faculty, we were able to articulate several exciting interdisciplinary projects," said Kathleen Healy Moore, professor of Chemistry and lead project director. "The College of Arts and Sciences has agreed to provide supplementary support to broaden the impact of the Merck/AAAS program, and participation in this program will give our undergraduate science majors the broad perspectives and multiple skills expected of the next generation of scientific researchers."

The award is given to support interdisciplinary student research that focuses on the interrelationship of the biological and chemical sciences. The long-term objective is to encourage students to pursue graduate education in biology and chemistry through undergraduate research experiences that emphasize the relationship between these scientific fields. During the award years, Merck representatives will visit recipient institutions and meet with students and faculty. Students participating in the program will be encouraged to apply for subsequent summer internships at Merck Research Laboratories.

Oakland University is a comprehensive state-supported institution of higher education located in Oakland County, Michigan. The university has 110 bachelor's degree programs and 63 graduate degree and certificate programs. Dedicated to preparing learners for the 21st-century workplace and society, Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business Administration, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing and the Honors College.