Please share with undergraduate students interested in a summer research
experience using DNA methods to study biodiversity in the Hawaiian
Islands.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is offering an NSF-funded Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) during the summer of 2021 focused
on the use of DNA methods to study Hawaiian biodiversity. Participants
will take advantage of high-throughput DNA sequencing, phylogenetic,
population genetic, and genomic methods to study the evolutionary and
biogeographic origins of Hawaiʻi’s native, endemic and invasive
organisms. REU participants will be mentored by a diverse faculty from
the School of Life Sciences, the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology,
and the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences.

Applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM fields, including
Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and students currently enrolled in
community colleges are encouraged to apply. Previous research experience
is not required. The 10-week REU summer program provides participants
with stipends and covers the costs of accommodations, food, and travel
to the REU site. This unique experience allows participants to gain
hands-on research experience, providing an excellent stepping stone for
future graduate studies in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology.

The REU program website and application form can be found here:
https://biodiversity-reu.manoa.hawaii.edu. Although the program is
subject to change depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic,
we are currently planning for the REU to be an in-person experience in
summer 2021.

If you have questions, please direct them to Drs. Stephanie Kraft-Terry
and Peter Marko at uhmreu@hawaii.edu.

Stephanie Kraft-Terry           Peter Marko
Associate Professor            Associate Professor
School of Life Sciences          School of Life Sciences

Peter Marko <pmarko@hawaii.edu>