Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Soliciting undergrad applications for REU: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving in Human Dominated Wetland Ecosystems

Here is information about a summer program for undergraduate students at RIT in Rochester, NY. 

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program emphasizes engaging students in interdisciplinary earth systems research that builds collaboration and communication skills for solving complex environmental problems. We will use wetland restoration as a lens through which participants will get hands-on experience studying the interactions between science and society that shape ecosystem functions and services.  This is an interdisciplinary program and we welcome participants from all academic majors who are interested in environmental science questions. We especially welcome applications from students in Environmental Studies and Environmental Science. This 10-week program will run from Sunday, May 22 to Saturday, July 30. Participants are provided with a $6,000 stipend for the summer, plus reimbursement for travel to/from Rochester, on-campus housing, and a meal allowance.

For more information and to apply: https://www.rit.edu/science/interdisciplinary-problem-solvingApplications are due February 15, 2022.

Additional details:

This program is for students who are enrolled in a college or university, including community college, and who will not yet have completed their undergraduate degree by the end of the summer session. This program is particularly well suited for students who will be completing their second or third year and who have limited access to research opportunities at their home institution. We encourage women, members of under-represented minorities, and deaf or hard-of-hearing students to apply. NSF funding requirements restrict participation to students who are US citizens, US nationals, or permanent residents. 

Projects will be grouped into interdisciplinary research clusters that include the following approaches: (i) biogeochemistry and ecology, (ii) sociological feedbacks, and (iii) geospatial patterns and scaling. This summer research experience centers around four key components: (1) mentored research projects, (2) interdisciplinary skill development, (3) professional development workshops, and (4) scientific communication and outreach.  Students will participate in weekly workshops focusing on both interdisciplinary research skills and professional development. Skills workshops are designed to expose all participants to the wide range of approaches that are used in interdisciplinary earth science research, with topics ranging from sequencing to remote sensing. Professional development workshops will focus on scientific best practices and communication skills and will culminate in activities where students will disseminate their research in a range of settings, including youth programs, community events, and RIT’s undergraduate research symposium.

Questions?  Contact:

Carmody McCalley, Assistant Professor

ckmsbi@rit.edu

Christy Tyler, Professor

actsbi@rit.edu