Page 11 - Hormel Report 2021

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Molecular Interaction Virtual - Research Experience for Undergraduate (MIV-REU) Interns
The REU Site: The Molecular Interaction Virtual REU Internship was lead by Dr. Jarrod French from The Hormel Institute,
Dr. Katherine Hicks from SUNY Cortland, and Dr. Andrew Torelli from Ithaca College.
As part of an NSF grant, 13 undergraduate students from eight different states were able to participate in this intellectually stimulating, highly-flexible, online learning environment
during a 12-week summer program. Throughout the summer program, students independently conducted a series of in silico experiments using freely available software to identify and characterize novel molecular interactions between a protein target and a database of ligands. They used their results to elucidate the molecular details of protein binding sites, identify key protein- ligand interactions, and conduct a structure-activity relationship analysis from which they independently generated a proposal for novel chemical probes.
Middle School Educational Videos
With the help of various faculty and staff, an educational video series was created to help showcase The Hormel Institute. The videos feature our scientists, provide virtual lab tours,
and highlight shared instruments and equipment such as
the cryo-EM microscope. The series is meant to educate and spark interest within the field of science.
“It is CRITICAL to have The Hormel Institute in Austin and that it is more known in Austin, in the community, and in our schools. The Institute is doing such important work and people need
to know what is happening there.”
Dewey Schara, I.J. Holton Principal
Future of Community Outreach and Education
As this important work of outreach and education continues, exciting things are on the horizon! Be on the lookout for what’s happening next:
SQUARE-FULL Clinical trials
SQUARE-FULL Survivorship programs
SQUARE-FULL Additional internships for high school
SQUARE-FULL More engagement activities and community events
SQUARE-FULL Expanded partnerships
and undergraduate students