D3206: StRoNG Net: undergraduate opportunities in non-model genome research

The science of genomics offers rich opportunities for undergraduate research. Technology is unlocking the genome sequences of a rapidly growing number of organisms, including many that are critically important to the economy, human health, and the natural environment. Much of the analysis of genome data can be done using software accessed through a web interface. Because of this, students only need a web browser to do research, making opportunities accessible to a diverse population. Having undergraduates join in research projects benefits genome science too. Genome sequence data is accumulating so fast that the main bottleneck to understanding it is a large enough scientific workforce to analyze the data. This is especially true for non-model organisms which are often studied by small to moderately sized research communities. StRoNG Net (Stem Research on Non-model Genomes Network) is a network of genome scientists and educators dedicated to developing opportunities for undergraduates to engage in scientific research by contributing to the analysis of non-model genomes.