Mark R. Johnson 418 E. 8th St. Apt.

4 Moscow, ID 83843 March 2, 2012 Student Grant Program Committee University of Idaho 709 Deakin Avenue Moscow, ID 83843

Dear Student Grant Program Committee members, My name is Mark Johnson, and I am an undergraduate senior in the microbiology department at University of Idaho. So far in my college career I have been exposed to few research topics taking place in the field, and have not yet taken part in a research project of my own or a professors ongoing project. For this reason, I am proposing funding a trip for me to attend an international microbiology conference in Australia this summer. Microbiology is a relatively new and innovative science. Microbiological research plays a big part in its role as a science. It has led to advancements both in the knowledge of the discipline, such as discovering the structure of DNA, and society as we know it, vaccines being a good example. My proposal regards funding a trip for me to attend the prestigious Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting of 2012. I would need approximately $3490 for the trip, which is detailed in the proposal. It will be held from July 1 to July 4, 2012 in Brisbane, Australia. During the four day conference, over a dozen professionals in the field will deliver an assortment of lectures about current and future microbiological research topics. Also, a very wide variety of microbiology topics will be presented at multiple symposia. There will also be several poster sessions and trade exhibitions. This experience would greatly benefit my academic career by allowing exposure to new technology and current research. It may foster in me an idea of a research topic that I could pursue as a graduate student. It could also lead to an internship or prospects for future employment. I believe this would also benefit the University of Idaho through the knowledge and experience I would attain. I would apply this knowledge to the school, providing insights about new technology or techniques that could be used in a microbiology laboratory. Also, it could lead to the university participating in an international research project. Publications or other publicity would likely result from such projects. With help from you, I could gain the valuable experience and knowledge this conference would afford me. Thank you for considering my proposal, I look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me via email at any time of the day or by phone 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., both found on the investigator information form. Sincerely,

Mark R. Johnson