Sara Shuger Fox, associate professor of kinesiology, has received the 2021 Research Mentor Award from The Organization for Tropical Studies for her mentorship of underrepresented students through the National Science Foundation’s Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.
Shuger Fox trained students in Costa Rica (previously in person and virtually in summer 2021) in designing and conducting independent research; collecting and analyzing data; writing a research manuscript; and preparing an oral presentation delivered at the OTS REU Research Symposium.
“This unique program is designed to extend STEM opportunities to underrepresented minorities around the world,” Shuger Fox says. “It’s a big motivator for students who are interested in the sciences to learn and gather experiences in the field.”
With the help of Central students, Shuger Fox has conducted public health research in Costa Rica for five years, including research on centenarians in the Blue Zone of Nicoya, Costa Rica.
“This program is a great opportunity for Central students to be exposed to different cultures and learning styles,” Shuger Fox says. “Language barriers present a challenge to both the REU students and Central students working together to understand the research.”
The Organization for Tropical Studies is a nonprofit consortium of about fifty universities, colleges and research institutions worldwide. Founded in 1963, the organization’s mission is to provide leadership in education, research and responsible use of natural resources in the tropics. For the last half century, the organization has been the world’s leading institution in the study of tropical biology, with more than 360 courses in tropical ecology, conservation and global health.
