Equipment: advancing undergraduate biological sciences with fluorescence imaging

The National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), awarded $165,248 to Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Inc. on October 1, 2025, to advance undergraduate biological sciences education through fluorescence imaging technology. The primary product delivered is an EVOS M7000 Imaging System that will support instruction in general biology, botany, mycology, general microbiology, genetics, and cell and molecular biology courses. An estimated 80 undergraduate students annually will utilize this equipment to develop proficiency in automated and quantitative fluorescence and brightfield microscopy—skills in high demand within the biotechnology workforce.

Beyond classroom instruction, the imaging system will support faculty and undergraduate research initiatives as well as independent student projects through the project's completion on September 30, 2027. The award emphasizes capacity-building at this Hispanic-serving institution through the HSI Program, which targets enhanced STEM education and broadened participation in STEM fields. Project impact will be assessed using pre- and post-assessments, the Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment tool, and faculty observations to evaluate the equipment's contribution to student learning outcomes and research experiences.

Abstract

With support from the improving undergraduate stem education: hispanic-serving institutions (HSI program), this educational instrumentation project at inter american university of puerto rico metropolitan campus will strengthen undergraduate learning in biology, microbiology, and natural sciences. Specifically, this project will secure an evos M7000 imaging system, which will allow students to build skills in automated and quantitative fluorescence and brightfield microscopy in general biology, botany, mycology, general microbiology, genetics, and cell & molecular biology courses. An estimated 80 students will utilize the project-funded equipment each year. In addition to providing improved experiences in biology courses, the new equipment will also be used in faculty and undergraduate research as well as independent projects. The goals of this project are to enrich the learning and experiences of undergraduate students by providing critical equipment in biology. Students will be trained in fluorescence microscopy and quantitative imaging analysis, both skills that are in high demand in the biotechnology workforce and related disciplines. The project will assess the impact of the project funded equipment using pre- and post-assessments, the undergraduate research student self-assessment (urssa), and faculty observations. This project is funded by the HSI program, which aims to enhance undergraduate stem education, broaden participation in stem, and increase capacity to engage in the development and implementation of innovations to improve stem teaching and learning at hsis. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.