Biology department receives funding for summer program

The biology department has received a $198,328 grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a summer research program for undergraduates.

The three-year-program will allow 10 students to work on research projects with faculty members and give them the opportunity "to see what biology research is all about," said Sara Lewis, associate professor of biology.

Half the students, she said, will be from Tufts, and the other half will be from nearby community colleges. Tufts is contributing housing, and "the idea is to build a community of undergraduate researchers" who will live and work together, said Lewis, who will oversee the program with Colin Orians, associate professor of biology.