title: Role of the undergraduate student research assistant in the new millennium.
abstract: In this study, we analyze the contribution of the undergraduate student who participates in the process of generating scientific data and developing a research project using Brazilian research as an example. Historically, undergraduate students have performed the critical role of research assistants in developing countries. This aspect has been underappreciated as a means of generating scientific data in Brazilian research facilities. Brazilian educational institutions are facing major age-related generational changes among the science faculty within the next 5-10 yr. A lack of adequate support for graduate students leads to a concern that undergraduates will not be interested in choosing research assistant programs and, subsequently, academic research careers. To remedy this situation it is important to focus on ways to encourage new research careers and enhance university-industry collaborations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, IB-CEG, Universidade Federal Fluminense, CEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais Dutra Nascimento
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Lúcia Cristina
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: da Cunha Aguiar
authors.forename: Jaqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leta
authors.forename: Dilvani Oliveira
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Fernanda Serpa
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Lúcio Mendes
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Carlos Rangel
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Helena Carla
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D004500:Education, Graduate; D035082:Federal Government; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012586:Science / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D013219:State Government; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities