Dr. John E. Butler Scholarships

J.E. Butler International Research Scholarship

This scholarship supports students intending to spend a fall or spring semester performing international scientific research. Credits will be earned based on the research performed.

The scholarship is available to all qualified students studying science and agriculture. However, students must be enrolled in the UW-River Falls Semester Abroad: Europe program, or another UW-River Falls education abroad program such as Wisconsin in Scotland, Experience China, or an approved independent study program. Scholarship recipients must carry out a semester-long, advisor-approved research project while abroad.

Students must submit a research project proposal agreed upon by both a UWRF faculty mentor and a foreign mentor. The proposal must include an indication of the research facility where the student will work abroad and the project in which they will participate. Recipients must provide a research report, scientific publication, or present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research or at a discipline specific conference upon the completion of their semester abroad.

Preference for the scholarship will be given to students with a financial need who haven't had a previous study abroad experience.

Laboratories Participating in the Scholarships:

The Animal Breeding and Genetics group at Georg-August-University Göttingen in Göttingen, Germany, focuses on the genome-based analysis of genetic progress in livestock breeding programs.

At the Pirbright Institute, in Surrey, England, you can work under Dr. Simon Graham, who leads the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Immunology Research Group.

The group of Dr. Riva at the University of Milan, Veterinary Medicine, in Milan, Italy, is focused on the innate immune response of domestic animal species.

Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, in Burssels, Belgium has a Molecular immunology group offering an SAE progrm placement research project for a biology/microbiology/biotechnology student.

Recipients

2018-2019                         2016-2017             

Amy Zingsheim                Kylee Lofhus                  

J. E. Butler Sophomore Cellular and Molecular Biology Scholarship

This scholarship supports entering sophomore students (current Freshman) majoring in Biology who intend to pursue studies in the field of cellular or molecular biology. Apply

• Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need
• Preference will be given to students with a minimum cumulative 3.50 GPA

The scholarship is not renewable but after receiving this scholarship recipients are encouraged to apply for the J.E. Butler Upper Class Cellular and Molecular Biology Scholarship.

Recipients

J. E. Butler Upper Class Molecular Biology Scholarship

This scholarship supports entering junior students majoring in Biology who wish to pursue a professional career both in science and in appreciation of the fine arts and history.

Student must be a Biology major, who intends to pursue studies in cellular or molecular biology as part of a post-graduate program, either in basic research or as part of a professional program related to human or animal health.  Preference is to studies on eukaryotic organisms rather than bacteria.  Depending on the nature of the applicant pool, preference will be given to students interested in pursuing graduate research as opposed to those only wishing to become practicing physicians or veterinarians.

• Student must be an entering junior.
• Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.
• Preference will be given to students with a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA.
• The scholarship is renewable for one additional year based on the following criteria, which would be reviewed annually by the selection committee, together with the recipient's academic adviser:
  • Maintained 3.5 GPA
  • Evidence of strong laboratory skills
  • Progress toward degree which includes courses in cellular or molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, virology and genetics. The focus of their training must remain cellular or molecular biology within the limits described above.
  • Involvement in an undergraduate research project focusing on cellular or molecular biology preferentially in the field of immunology, and presentation of their independent research findings at least once during each scholarship year.
  • Demonstrated academic interests outside of science (a well-rounded liberal arts education would include courses in history and philosophy, music, the arts and foreign language).

If a recipient fails to meet the renewal criteria, or changes to an unrelated major, the scholarship shall be made available to another UWRF student according to the purpose and criteria in this section.

Recipients