EXPRESS Faculty Information

Program Background

Although undergraduate science majors in theory have a wealth of opportunities to participate in research at MU, in practice most opportunities are only available to juniors and seniors. To delay active involvement in the major and delay the mentoring relationships with a faculty member often results in loss of the interest and enthusiasm needed to succeed in science. Many students leave the science talent pipeline even before they are eligible to apply for research internships, and this is especially true for underrepresented minority students majoring in the natural sciences. We have developed the EXPRESS (EXPosure to REsearch for Science Students) Program in direct response to this need for a faculty-oriented program to aid in the successful transition of freshmen into college and to “fast track” underclassmen into campus research laboratories and faculty mentoring relationships. We have expanded the program to include underrepresented sophomores, freshmen and transfer students (Underrepresented, as defined by National Science Foundation/National Institutes of Health, includes African American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan and Pacific Islander students.)

Sign up to be an EXPRESS mentor (PDF).

Lab Work

The core of the EXPRESS Program is the laboratory research experience. Students work 8-12 hrs/week in an MU faculty laboratory, assisting faculty and lab members with their research projects as they learn a variety of techniques appropriate to their laboratory. Within a very short time, the EXPRESS students become active members of a smaller academic community on a large university campus. The mentoring that the students receive from faculty and other lab team members is as important as the hands-on experience itself. The lab team will be able to support the students as they negotiate the challenges faced as a new student on campus. The work that students become involved in will vary from lab to lab, but may include autoclaving, maintaining animal/plant colonies, library work, computer work, assisting with experiments, etc. Although students are not expected to have their own research project, we do expect that mentors will provide students with enough opportunities so that they come to some level of understanding about the nature and scope of the work being conducted in their laboratory. We encourage mentors to provide opportunities for EXPRESS students to assist other lab team members with on-going experiments and, if the student is ready, strongly support opportunities for a participant to do their own mini-project.

Other Components of the EXPRESS Program

• Weekly workshops and special events for EXPRESS participants aimed at providing information on campus resources, increasing awareness of opportunities of interest to science majors, and building skills related to academic success, time management, and communication.
• Peer Mentoring — each EXPRESS Participant will be assigned an upper-class peer mentor who will meet with them on a regular basis. Peer mentors also work with students initially as they seek a faculty mentor.
• Individual Advising, as needed, with the Program Coordinator.
• Career Evaluation — through use of career surveys and assistance from the MU Career Center.
• Career Speakers and career exploration events.

Faculty Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay rate for EXPRESS Students?

Freshmen are paid at $6.50/hr. Returning sophomores (entering their second year in the lab) earn $6.75/hr.

Who pays for the student’s salary?

The student’s salary is paid for by a grant from the NIH. The faculty member does NOT need to provide funds for a salary. If the student has work-study money, then the student will earn their work-study allocation first. Once the work-study allocation has been used, they will be switched to the grant account.

If my student works more than 10 hrs/week, can a faculty member pay them from a grant?

We prefer students (especially new students) keep to 10 hrs/week. If the student is doing well in classes and in the lab, and wants to work up to 15 hrs/week on a regular basis, the NIH grant can cover it, with approval from Chrystal Graves.

My student lives in Columbia and wants to work over break. Can she?

Yes. However, please contact Chrystal Graves if the student will be working more than 15 hrs/week during the school breaks to ensure that the funds are available.

My student will be in Columbia this summer? Can he work?

We will have applications available for students who wish to work over the summer. Last year we allocated $1000/student for summer employment.

My student wants to cut down to 6 hrs/week on a regular basis. Can she?

With the permission from the faculty mentor, a student may work fewer hours. However, the faculty member should be comfortable that the student is providing a service (not a drain) to the laboratory, even though they are working fewer than 8 hrs/week.

My student is not coming in when he says he will. What should I do?

Contact Chrystal Graves and/or Linda Blockus to let us know there is a problem. Of course we also assume you are speaking to the student about the problem as well! Discuss the problem with him/her immediately. Find out if there is a communication problem or a misunderstanding of expectations. Clarify your expectations. Be flexible when appropriate (i.e., death in the family, illness) but insist on clear communications and fulfillment of expectations. If the student is not meeting expectations, you may terminate their position in the lab. Please inform Alisa and Linda immediately. We encourage all faculty members to be quick to “nip problems in the bud” and contact Alisa and Linda to let us know of problems. We may be able to talk to the student and reduce any misunderstandings. But we can’t help if we don’t know you are having a problem!

Can I give my student a raise?

In fairness to other students on the grant, we need to keep our salary scale firm. However, if you wish to pick the student up 100% on your account, you can pay him/her what you wish. Just let us know so we can have their payroll papers transferred.

How long can the student be in the program?

The EXPRESS program is for students during their first four semesters of college (not counting summers) and junior transfer students. A student entering MU as a freshman may work through the summer after their second year. A student who has completed two semesters as a college student already may only be funded for two additional semesters (not counting summers). Eligibility is not determined by credit hour, but rather by semesters enrolled as a regular college student.

Are students required to attend Wednesday meetings?

Yes. All students in the EXPRESS program are expected to attend weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. in 121 Bond Life Sciences Center. If a student misses more than two meetings, they will be contacted. If this becomes a recurring problem, the faculty mentor will also be notified. Your assistance in reminding the student that attendance at EXPRESS meetings is a required component of the program is appreciated. The EXPRESS newsletters will provide you with information on the topics for each meeting and faculty mentors are encouraged to discuss the topics with their students as a way to reinforce the importance of the meetings and topics to their success in the classroom and in the lab.

How does a student select a mentor?

Students work with their upper-class peer mentor to search through the list of potential faculty mentors to find mentors whose research interests match their own. Students email faculty to set up interview times. Students and faculty then decide on the best fit. Faculty are under no obligation to "hire" any or all of the students who interview with them. By the same token, students are not obligated to choose any of the labs they interview with.

If I volunteer to serve as a mentor, will I get a student?

Usually, more faculty volunteer to host EXPRESS students than there are students to fill slots. if you do not receive a student in the fall, do not be discouraged. We sometimes add students to the program over the course of the academic year, and you might get a student mid-year.