KURE Semester Bridge Program
The KURE Semester Bridge Program is for 1st- and 2nd-year students majoring in science or math at CSULB. Participating students will be part of a team conducting research on environmental toxins that are common in household items or products.
Program Dates
September 23, 2024 - November 18, 2024.
Timeline
Participants will work on an environmental toxicology project from 2:00pm-5:00pm on Mondays. Student participants will enroll in BIOL 296, and the KURE program will cover any tuition or late-add fees (which will go into effect on September 9, 2024).
A brief overview of each week’s activities is given in the table below.
| Week | Day | Toxin | Research Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 23 | n/a | introductions; safety training; basic lab training; basic experimental skills |
| 2 | Sep 30 | n/a | lab notebook; data analysis methods; data presentation |
| 3 | Oct 7 | n/a | survey of environmental toxins; information about a toxin of interest; presentation |
| 4 | Oct 14 | n/a | journal club |
| 5 | Oct 21 | BPA | environmental policy; introduction to bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS); standard curves |
| 6 | Oct 28 | BPA | BPA and TCS extraction and detection; data analysis and presentation |
| 7 | Nov 4 | student-selected toxin | bioinformatics; chemical investigation on toxin of interest |
| 8 | Nov 18 | student-selected toxin | data analysis; final presentation |
What are BPA and TCS?
Bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) are pervasive environmental toxins with human impacts that raise concerns. BPA, commonly found in plastics, epoxy resins, and thermal paper, leaches into food and water, exposing humans through ingestion and skin contact. Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent, is common in personal care products like soaps, toothpaste, and cosmetics, along with household items like plastics and textiles.
Both chemicals disrupt endocrine function by mimicking or blocking hormones. Endocrine disruption can lead to developmental abnormalities, reproductive issues, and increased risk of certain cancers. These toxins also persist in the environment, accumulating in ecosystems and potentially posing long-term risks to wildlife and ecosystems. Effective regulation and consumer awareness are crucial to reducing adverse effects of BPA and triclosan.
Program Goal
The goal of the program is to provide you with an understanding and appreciation for research, and to nurture your interest in science and math degrees and careers.
Project Objectives
- To increase your ability to apply concepts and skills learned in the classroom to research.
- To increase your understanding of the research process; that science is a creative process that creates new knowledge.
- To increase your knowledge of ethical conduct in your field.
- To increase your ability to interpret results in research and draw conclusions.
Benefits
- Hands-on research experience
- Gain an awareness of environmental toxins—where they are; where they come from; and how they affect human health.
- Professional and research career development.
- Academic credit at no cost.
Eligibility Requirements
- 1st- or 2nd-year student at CSULB
- Enrolled in a science or math major
Enrollment Requirements
- Special permission is required and can be obtained from Dr. YuanYu Lee.
- Enrollment is capped at 16, so act quickly. You will need to contact Dr. YuanYu Lee (YuanYu.Lee@csulb.edu) for permission to register.
