Chem4REAL: Research Engages All Learners

CUR chemistry

If you’re interested in engaging undergraduate students in research in the classroom, lab or community, then Chem4REAL is for you. Together, we discuss issues around research equity, sustainability, logistics, advocacy, proposal or publication writing, and much more. This podcast is hosted by faculty representatives of the chemistry division in the Council on Undergraduate Research (www.CUR.org) whose mission is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate faculty-student collaborative research and scholarship. Music: Funky Chunk by Kevin MacLeod Artist website: https://incompetech.com

  1. 05/21/2025

    Teaching the practice of science through research in the classroom

    Chemistry representatives from CUR sat down with Ashley Vater from the University of California, Davis, to talk about the Design to Data (D2D) program that she manages. They discussed the history and purpose of the D2D program, a national undergraduate research network focused on protein science. Ashley explained that the program was created to address the limitations of traditional teaching methods and to provide students with hands-on research experiences. She emphasized that such experiences are essential for students' future careers and that the program's classroom-based approach allows for a larger number of students to be involved. For more information, visit the D2D website at https://www.d2dcure.com/about/

  2. 05/07/2025

    The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation: Nearly eight decades of supporting research in the chemical sciences

    Chemistry representatives of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) have a conversation with the Senior Program Manager, Ali Chunovic, at the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation. Ali details the opportunities for finding funds that support undergraduate research, including basic research funding and opportunities to connect with leaders in the field by facilitating their visits to undergraduate institutions.

  3. 02/12/2025

    Building Professional Networks for Growth

    CUR representatives Joe Baker (The College of New Jersey), Bridget Gourley (DePauw University), Codrina Popescu (University of St. Thomas), Katie Mauck (Kenyon College), and Kari Stone (Lewis University) discuss their approaches to effective faculty networking. The conversation highlights how professional networks are crucial for career growth and support and the importance of these networks for intellectual community, research opportunities, and career development.

  4. 11/15/2024

    Controlling the Chaos in UR

    CUR representatives Joe Baker (TCNJ), Bridget Gourley (DePauw University), Vanessa McCaffrey (Albion College), and Kari Stone (Lewis University) talk about strategies for effectively managing the undergraduate research enterprise in your laboratory. Tips for coupling your research to your teaching for maximum productivity for faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions and how to articulate the varied types of ways in which you mentor and develop students are discussed.

  5. 10/23/2024

    Making the transition to teaching and research in higher ed: A CUR Chem perspective

    CUR representatives Joe Baker (TCNJ), Katie Mauck (Kenyon), Vanessa McCaffrey (Albion College) and Kari Stone (Lewis University) talk about their paths to their academic careers at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) and share some advice to other young professionals thinking about a career in academics.

  6. 05/08/2024

    New Perspectives in CUR Chemistry: Dr. John Kirk

    New representatives chat with Prof. Vanessa McCaffrey about how they heard about CUR Chemistry and why they decided to get involved. In this episode, we hear from Dr. John Kirk from Carthage College and learn about his science and goals for his participation in CUR. Dr. Kirk's website: https://www.carthage.edu/live/profiles/747-john-kirk To learn more about CUR Chemistry, visit: https://www.cur.org/membership-community/divisions/chemistry-division/

  7. 05/03/2024

    Science is Global

    Often students find that majoring in chemistry limits their ability to have experiences abroad relative to their peers in the humanities and social sciences. Listen and learn about one example of a program designed to give chemistry students both an international and research experience. CUR Representative Dr. Kari Stone (Associate Professor of Chemistry at Lewis University) talks with Dr. Kyle Grice (Associate Professor of Chemistry at DePaul University) about international research experiences for undergraduates. In DePaul University’s program, projects are developed by students in concert with chemistry and biology faculty during the semester for academic credit. The capstone experience for these students is to travel to Spain to work on their projects for two and a half weeks. Dr. Grice talks about the scope of student projects and how students are evaluated and assessed at the end of the program. Dr. Grice’s website: https://sites.google.com/site/drkyleagrice/

  8. 02/14/2024

    New Perspectives in CUR Chemistry: Dr. Pius Adelani

    New representatives chat with Prof. Vanessa McCaffrey about how they heard about CUR Chemistry and why they decided to get involved. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Pius Adelani from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX and learn about his science and goals for their participation in CUR. To learn more about Dr. Adelani, please visit: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/faculty/pius-adelani/ To learn more about CUR Chemistry, visit: https://www.cur.org/membership-community/divisions/chemistry-division/

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If you’re interested in engaging undergraduate students in research in the classroom, lab or community, then Chem4REAL is for you. Together, we discuss issues around research equity, sustainability, logistics, advocacy, proposal or publication writing, and much more. This podcast is hosted by faculty representatives of the chemistry division in the Council on Undergraduate Research (www.CUR.org) whose mission is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate faculty-student collaborative research and scholarship. Music: Funky Chunk by Kevin MacLeod Artist website: https://incompetech.com

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