A Bioinformatics-Driven CURE Extension Increases Student Self-Efficacy and Interest in Biomedical Research
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| Title: | A Bioinformatics-Driven CURE Extension Increases Student Self-Efficacy and Interest in Biomedical Research |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Héctor G. Loyola Irizarry (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2025 26(2). |
| Availability: | American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R01GM147150 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Undergraduate Students, Student Research, Biology, Information Science, Self Efficacy, Student Interests, Biomedicine, Program Effectiveness, Research Skills, Student Attitudes |
| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| Abstract: | The biology workforce has a need for undergraduate students trained in bioinformatics. Although bioinformatics is a critical sub-discipline of biology, it is not required in all biology degree programs. In parallel, there is a need to increase student access to research experiences. To address these needs, we offer a one-credit bioinformatics-focused and computational biology course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), here called the CB-CURE. Preliminary data suggest the CB-CURE increased student interest, knowledge, and self-efficacy, but also reveal a shortage of access to undergraduate research experiences (UREs) in faculty labs at our large institution. To provide a more URE-like experience for a class setting, we developed a one-semester extension to the CB-CURE, called CURE+. In CURE+, students execute individual bioinformatics-driven research projects and obtain additional career development and mentoring. To evaluate CURE+, we measured students' bioinformatics and research self-efficacy, interest in bioinformatics and research, and emotions toward their project. Additionally, we evaluated student mastery of the CURE+ learning outcomes to determine if the experience successfully enabled students to develop their research skills. Our data show significant increases in (i) student self-efficacy in various bioinformatics and research skills and (ii) student interest in bioinformatics-related activities and in biomedical research. Students had positive emotions toward their research project, and a majority of students mastered the CURE+ learning outcomes. Our data suggest that an intensive CURE extension can provide a potentially transformative research experience that helps fill a void in access to research at institutions with a high student-to-faculty ratio. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1481773 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The biology workforce has a need for undergraduate students trained in bioinformatics. Although bioinformatics is a critical sub-discipline of biology, it is not required in all biology degree programs. In parallel, there is a need to increase student access to research experiences. To address these needs, we offer a one-credit bioinformatics-focused and computational biology course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), here called the CB-CURE. Preliminary data suggest the CB-CURE increased student interest, knowledge, and self-efficacy, but also reveal a shortage of access to undergraduate research experiences (UREs) in faculty labs at our large institution. To provide a more URE-like experience for a class setting, we developed a one-semester extension to the CB-CURE, called CURE+. In CURE+, students execute individual bioinformatics-driven research projects and obtain additional career development and mentoring. To evaluate CURE+, we measured students' bioinformatics and research self-efficacy, interest in bioinformatics and research, and emotions toward their project. Additionally, we evaluated student mastery of the CURE+ learning outcomes to determine if the experience successfully enabled students to develop their research skills. Our data show significant increases in (i) student self-efficacy in various bioinformatics and research skills and (ii) student interest in bioinformatics-related activities and in biomedical research. Students had positive emotions toward their research project, and a majority of students mastered the CURE+ learning outcomes. Our data suggest that an intensive CURE extension can provide a potentially transformative research experience that helps fill a void in access to research at institutions with a high student-to-faculty ratio. |
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| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
