The Ryan lab (https://sadieryan.net) at the University of Florida is
recruiting a motivated undergraduate for an NSF funded Research Experience
for Undergraduates (REU) summer research internship in Medical Geography
and Disease Ecology, in spatial ecology of vector-borne disease. The REU
project is part of a larger NSF Ecology and Evolution of Infectious
Diseases project to model effects of climate, land use, and socioeconomic
conditions on vector-borne disease transmission
(http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=3D137712). The project
explores a range of diseases, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya,
Zika, Rift Valley fever, bluetongue, and others. More about the larger
project can be found on NSF=92s website.
The ideal candidate will have a career interest in spatial modeling, GIS,
disease ecology, epidemiology, or public health research. A background in
geography, ecology, infectious disease biology, and mathematical modeling
or quantitative methods is desired but not required. Spanish
speaking/reading is a plus.
Applicants must be in bachelor=92s program (undergraduate), with a
graduation date AFTER September 2017.
Desired qualifications include:
=95=09Experience with statistical analysis, particularly in R
=95=09Database management, analysis and manipulation
=95=09GIS coursework and experience
The successful candidate will have access to several primary datasets of
entomological and epidemiological data from a long-term field site in
Southern Ecuador, and will have the option of designing an independent
geospatial analysis project, and/or participating in team projects with
lab members.
This position will be based at the University of Florida in Gainesville,
Florida, hosted jointly in the Geography Department and the Emerging
Pathogens Institute (EPI). The student will thus have the opportunity to
interact with multiple students and faculty working on spatially explicit
health questions, across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Applicants should send a CV, unofficial transcript, contact information
for two references, and a one page statement about research interests,
experience, and career goals to Sadie Ryan sjryan@ufl.edu. Please include
=93REU position=94 in the subject line.
Review of applications will begin on May 15 and continue until the
position is filled.
This position carries a stipend to cover all expenses, and will be paid as
an hourly position through the University of Florida.