Education Internships and REUs REUs for Undergrads
| 2012 REU Project Descriptions |
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KBS faculty have received grants from several different federal agencies to involve undergraduates in their research. These positions give you a chance to conduct full-time research under the supervision of faculty. This program is 10 weeks long (30th May to Aug 5th). 2012 Projects are part of BEACON (Bio/computational Evolution in Action CONsortium) or funded as a supplimental grant through the GLBRC (Great Lakes Biodiversity Research Consortium) How do you apply? You can find the project descriptions by clicking on the project titles listed below. Each project description has a link to the appropriate online application. Deadline: March 1, 2012, 5 PM We invite applications from highly motivated individuals, and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the sciences. You must be a currently enrolled U.S. citizen with undergraduate status to participate in these programs. BEACON:
GLBRC:
Other NSF funding: TITLE: Rapid evolution of the legume-rhizobium mutualism in response to N-deposition(BEACON) The Lau lab investigates how plant and microbe populations evolve in response to rapid anthropogenic environmental changes, including nitrogen deposition, global warming, and biological invasions. In collaboration with his/her mentors, the REU will develop an independent project investigating how evolutionary responses to global change influence species interactions. Potential projects include experiments investigating evolutionary shifts in the legume-rhizobium mutualism in response to nitrogen deposition and field experiments investigating how variation in mutualist quality influences plant fitness in the wild. The REU student will gain experience in experimental design, conducting greenhouse or field experiments, microbial ecology techniques, data collection, and data analysis. REQUIREMENTS: The student should have completed/be in enrolled in courses in biology, ecology, and/or evolution and have a strong interest in pursuing independent research in ecology and evolution. TITLE: Signaling and selection in damselflies (BEACON)
Geographic Mosaic of Coevolution: Tests Using Aquatic Bacteria and Viruses Mentors: Dr. Jay T. Lennon and Megan Larsen. The REU will examine eco-evolutionary interactions of bacteria and viruses in heterogenous landscapes. By doing so, the REU will design and execute both field and laboratory studies that will help test predictions from the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution (Thompson 2005). The REU’s responsibilities will include the isolation and maintenance of cultures, including the preparation of media and bioassays and the isolation of viruses from lakes with different environmental characteristics (i.e. nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations). The REU will challenge cyanobacteria against viruses from different lakes to test for local adaptation and whether this is influenced by environmental conditions and/or geographic distance. The REU will also have the opportunity to learn about Adaptive Dynamics simulation modeling and the analysis of genomes generated from experimental evolution trials.
Influence of soil trace gas emissions on plant productivity.
Mentors: Drs. G.P. Robertson and Ilya Gelfand. Project: As part of our effort to understand ecological implications of soil trace gas emissions we are proposing to test interaction between soils NOx emissions and plant functioning. The basic hypothesis underlying the proposed research is that soil NOx emissions may have direct effects on plants, particularly on stomatal conductance (i.e. gases exchange by plants). Soil emissions of NOx usually happen when upper soil layer is dried out. NOx molecules are one of the key regulators of stomatal closure. This mechanism potentially can initiate “drought” like response of plants, especially in soils liable to frequent droughts in upper part of the profile. This response may have effect on plant productivity in mesic ecosystems. Besides this potential interaction, absorbed NOx may play significant role as an N source for plants. The latter, may have large sequences for N availability for the plants, but currently largely overlooked by ecologists. Requirements: Willingness to perform field work, and be familiar with N cycle and basic plant physiology (gas exchange). However, if needed additional training will be provided.
Drought tolerance of switch grass clones Mentor: Dr. Justin Kunkle Project: Despite growing interest in using switchgrass for biofuel production throughout the United States, there is little information about the basic physiological ecology of this candidate crop, especially under stressful growing conditions. Drought events are likely to be exacerbated by future climate change, and so it is important to identify species/clones with morphological and physiological traits that are associated with drought tolerance. Field studies will be done to assess the drought tolerance of different clones of switchgrass and to determine what traits are best predictors of drought tolerance under different types of management. Requirements: No specific requirements beyond an interest in the topic, although students with pertinent coursework will be preferred.
Managing grasslands for production and diversity
Mentors: Drs. Katherine Gross and Timothy Dickson Project: Grasslands are important habitats in Midwestern landscapes support both agricultural services and provide habitat for wildlife. Interest in converting annual croplands to perennial grasslands to support biofuel production and the adoption of pasture-based animal production systems may provide opportunities for creating grassland habitat for native wildlife. But how will the diversity of grasslands respond to variation in harvesting, fertilization and other management practices? And are these changes driven by changes in competitive interactions or plant-soil feedbacks? A project addressing these questions will be developed by the student that supports ongoing research on the determinants of diversity and productivity in grasslands and how these change with fertilization and disturbance. Research will be conducted on the GLBRC plots and nearby pastures, oldfields and restored grasslands at and near KBS. Requirements: Course work or experience in Ecology and/or Plant Systematics; students may enroll in one these courses at KBS concurrent with this REU.
TITLE: Biological invasions: The role of species interactions and genetic variation.
Invasive species can have negative effects on native communities, but predicting what makes certain species problematic, while others are benign, is notoriously difficult. The REU working on this project will develop a project that investigates one of the following topics: 1) How particular traits of invasive plants contribute to the success of invasions in different habitats (e.g., California vs. Michigan), 2) How post-invasion evolution of plant traits, as the result of escape from enemies, contributes to further effects on native communities, or 3) Mechanisms of competition between native and invasive plants. The REU student will gain experience in experimental design, greenhouse and field experiments, data collection and analysis as they work on an independent research project. In addition, the REU student will present a summary of their research at the Kellogg Biological Station undergraduate research symposium in August 2013 and potentially at the Ecological Society of America annual meeting in California (August 2014). As part of the Lau Lab, the student will become part of an active research group studying ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant species. Weekly lab meetings focus on designing and implementing research projects and career development. REQUIREMENTS: The student should have completed/be in enrolled in courses in biology, ecology, and/or evolution and have a strong interest in pursuing independent research in ecology and evolution.
Title: Ecological genetics and natural selection in plants MENTOR: Dr. Jeff Conner Description: Current research in the Conner lab focuses on the evolution of floral traits for successful pollination in three species, and the evolution of weediness and crop domestication in radish. The studies involve field, greenhouse, and lab work, and include molecular genetic studies of paternity and floral traits, measurements of natural selection in the field, and research on plant-pollinator interactions. Students will be involved in a variety of studies and learn several techniques, and will conduct an independent project from start to finish, culminating in a poster presentation. Co-authorship on subsequent papers is also possible.
Requirements: A strong interest in biology, especially evolution and genetics. The student will attend weekly lab meetings and discuss current literature, meet with mentor regularly, and participate in KBS wide activities.
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| Last Updated on Monday, 13 February 2012 22:22 |