9 replies to this topic

[kmoody]

This message is specifically directed at all undergraduate college students interested in research, and persons who are currently engaged in SENS related research:

The Methuselah Foundation has recognized an ever increasing interest in the conquest of biological aging by the educated youth of the world. In response to this interest, the Methuselah Foundation Undergraduate Research Initiative was started. The initiative serves as a guide to lead undergraduate students through the process of performing studies (either individually or as a team) directly contributing to the SENS agenda, and also as a source of networking to connect them with researchers already in the field. The initiative calls upon students to dedicate their academic persuits to this worthy endeavor, and further speaks to researchers, asking them to contribute to the cause by outsourcing projects to these students.

If you are a college undergraduate or researcher, please take a few minutes to visit our website at www.mfuri.org. Become involved in developing the upcoming generation that may very well bring biological aging to a standstill. We would greatly appreciate your interest.

Kelsey J. Moody
Interim Director of Undergraduate Affairs
Methuselah Foundation Undergraduate Research Initiative

[Cyberbrain]

Every Biology Major here in Imminst MUST get involved with this!

[kmoody]

The program I have outlined is intended for US students because it hinges on the ability to use Independent Studies and the Advanced Honors Programs available at most colleges to form entire research teams of undergraduates. I am unfamiliar with the higher education systems of other countries, so I do apologize for this shortcoming. I have suggested that even undergrads who do not have lab access can contribute by doing literature searches and helping to write proposals for other students to carry out. This is a very recent project and I appreciate the enthusiasm.

[forever freedom]

Wow this is really nice. Thumbs up for the initiative.


edit: And i really liked the name too. mfuri. Supposed to be something like Methuselah Foundation's Fury? Against aging, of course

Edited by sam988, 06 May 2008 - 04:38 AM.

[brokenportal]

If anybody is interested in helping a team of people raise money for MFURI (Methuselah Foundation Undergraduate Research Initiative) via this cause box for myspace then let me know. I think the cause box may also works in other web sites too.

http://profile.myspa...ica...es/your"}

Right now we are aiming to form a team of 5 to get 20 people apeice to donate $10.00 apeice so we can raise $1,000.00. These particular efforts though of course can always be expanded with enough support. There are other MFURI funding opportunities to become involved with as well.

[Heliotrope]

great initiative indeed! The MFURI site says

"In addition to becoming eligible for scholarships and general support, MFURI students are also given the choice to perform projects and initiatives for university credit virtually anywhere within the United States. Please click here for a detailed breakdown of the program. "

University credit virtually anywhere within the United States

That may be the biggest draw. Fighting aging and receiving credits?

Wow! I'd like to be involved with this , though I'm already in my last undergrad year. senior biology major. I guess it's too late for fall semester huh? I'll have to wait till the last leg of my undergrad journey


How many academic credits can I earn? If I can get a few college credits on top of doing anti-aging research, that'd be neat. I suppose I'd have to get my college dean, but most likely the Undergrad biology department to approve it in order for it to count for anything at all. I'd like to do anything to help end aging.

Edited by HYP86, 26 September 2008 - 12:07 AM.

[Jessy_Hoo]

I want to get involved! I'm a first year college student. I've not had much science yet.. What's there for me?

[Illuminatusdarksoul]

I thought this should be posted here as it is my view of where we probably should be taking the research community as a whole, and as it involves MFURI I thought I would re-post it.

A global virtual Institute for Rejuvenative Medicine with a strong student research program


For me personally this is what we should do and get everyone to work towards. Here is my reasoning in a Q and A format.

Why not just stick with joining American ageing association and mainstream institutes?
They can't get any funding and aren't doing it quick enough or looking at things from a rejuvenative/regenerative/engineering viewpoint.
Why not stick with MF?
It is too controversial, would never get acceptance of government or researchers-but has MFURI which if had support of more PIs would really get somewhere.
Why global?
Get everyone on board-different legal systemes, goverment spending allocations, specialised research etc
Why virtual?
Physical costs of setting up institute ignored. Base institute in Universities around the world. Use university space, equipment etc.
Why an Institute?
Institutionalisation and mainstreaming of research means more fundable and legitimiate results-also means translational medicine and cross over to bedside treatment faster if invovled with NIA, NHS etc.
Why Rejuvenative Medicine?
Non-controversial yet still makes distinction between gerontology and ageing research and other plans such as SENS etc. It states that we want to study ageing to stop it-but only in a nice, quiet, polite way :D.
Strong student research program?
Get free, directed research, without needing large amounts of funding-use resources that already have and use resources of other institutes etc even ones not related directly to ageing.

[brokenportal]

MFURI is changing its name in the move of sens from the Methuselah Foundation to the SENS Foundation. Its now SENS student something. More updates to come. Ill post a topic on it.

As an option, this might be a good time to talk with them and consider forming a broad undergrad fund that covers sens, sense, agi, nanotech, stem cells and the whole works, leaving room for new possible strategies for combatting aging to be funded.

Edited by brokenportal, 14 April 2009 - 12:11 AM.

[DJS]

As an option, this might be a good time to talk with them and consider forming a broad undergrad fund that covers sens, sense, agi, nanotech, stem cells and the whole works, leaving room for new possible strategies for combatting aging to be funded.

I'm not sure if a "broad" undergrad fund with MFURI (SURI?) is the best approach.

I'd like to see ImmInst have a scholarship fund which starts out as three separate scholarships. One of these scholarships could be in cooperation with MFURI, while the other two could be directed towards other 'research programs'.