Joseph J. Tufariello, dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; David J. Triggle, dean of the Graduate School, and William C. Fischer, vice provost for faculty development, gave introductory remarks.

The 18 students who received certificates, gave research presentations.

The scholarships are part of a $1.5 million grant UB received in 1994 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

The emphasis of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Biology Initiative is on students learning about science by "doing" science. An important goal of the program is to improve the retention rates of students, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, majoring in life sciences through the scholars program for biological sciences students.

From their first semester, scholars participate in research colloquia, seminars and meetings. During their junior year, Hughes Scholars begin independent research projects under the supervision of a faculty research advisor. Topics range from research on potential therapies for muscular dystrophy to the classification of Gorgonian corals.

The HHMI Undergraduate Biology Initiative is administered through the Department of Biological Sciences and involves the active participation of more than 50 UB faculty as mentors and research advisors and more than 80 UB undergraduates.

Gerald Koudelka, associate professor of biological sciences, directs the program with Ronald Berezny, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Howard Hughes grant funded several initiatives at UB, including student biology laboratory enhancements, a new course in advanced human molecular genetics for nonscience majors and summer training for high-school science teachers.

Students who were honored and their majors are:

Bemina Atanacio, computer science; Daniel Avosso, biological sciences; Vivekram Bellur, biological sciences; Cynthia Casucci, biochemistry; Leah Elizabeth Cole, biological sciences; Dawn Dolan, biology/psychology; Kara Grosser, biological sciences ; Kristen Homick, medical technology; Kristen Kittle, biological sciences; David Kulju, biochemistry; James Lagowski, biological sciences; Katrina Lustofin, biological sciences; Amanda Matthews, biological sciences; Kimberly Paa, biological sciences; Elaine Paik, biological sciences; Peter Trabold, biological sciences; Priya Venkataraman, biological sciences; Elizabeth Zanet, biological sciences.