Six Oakland University undergraduate students recently received the Eye Research Institute (ERI) Summer Fellowship Award for their research efforts.

The winners of the $3,000 fellowships are Alyssa Border of Bowling Green, Ohio, a Biochemistry major researching retinal protein studies; Christina Callahan of Troy, a Biology major researching retinal morphology; Shannon Hollie of Farmington Hills, a Biology major/Chemistry minor studying retinal metabolism; Amy Litwinski of Sterling Heights, a Biology major researching retinal morphology; Michael Sauer of Lake Orion, a Biochemistry major studying retinal metabolism; Erica Skidmore of Madison Heights, a Biology major/Chemistry minor researching tissue culture studies with lens epithelial cells.

The ERI summer undergraduate research program, which runs from May 7-July 27, provides a unique opportunity for Oakland University undergraduate students to conduct independent research projects under the guidance of ERI faculty.

Students obtain research training in the disciplines of biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, molecular biology, signal transduction and neuroscience as applied to the study of the eye and blinding eye disease.

Through the program, students become familiar with the latest research methodologies and improve their scientific skills of observation and communication.

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, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing and the Honors College.Nursing and the Honors College.