Summer 2017 REU in Botany and Conservation Biology

The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, MO will be offering an
NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates summer program
in 2017.  Ten students will be chosen to participate in a ten-week
program involving full-time work on an independent research project,
with the guidance of a staff mentor, in addition to educational seminars,
discussion sessions and field trips.  Available research projects deal
with subjects including taxonomy, population genetics and speciation,
conservation biology, restoration ecology, biodiversity modeling,
and crop development.  Students will receive a weekly stipend as well
as housing, food, transportation, and funding for research supplies.
Eligible students are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will
be returning to school in the fall semester after the REU program.
Students from schools with limited research infrastructure and from
underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.  Review of
applications will begin on March 20, 2017.  Further information on the
program, available mentors and projects, and how to apply can be obtained
from the website: www.mobot.org/reu.

Summers at Flathead Lake Biological Station, Montana, USA – Get Out Here!

Immersive field ecology experiences in Western Montana

Since 1899, the Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana has been offering transformative field ecology courses in spectacular western Montana.  2017 is going to be the best summer yet!

Students are already registering online at http://flbs.umt.edu/education/default.aspx.

We have nine great courses on offer in both aquatic and terrestrial realms that will be of interest to students ranging from “sophomores-to-be” (Field Ecology) to upperclassmen to early grad students. Here are some relevant pieces of info:

–   many scholarships are available

–   early registration discount (Deadline: January 15, 2017)

–   “buddy program” discount for students who sign up together

–   small classes with great faculty

–   immersive learning featuring field methods as well as interactions with natural resource professionals

–   two new courses for 2017: Aquatic Microbial Ecology & Drones for Water Assessment

–   credits easily transferable to other colleges/universities

Students who have completed a first-year college curriculum involving biology, some chemistry, and some math are eligible for our 5-credit Field Ecology class after which they can take subsequent courses that summer.  In any case, students can enroll with permission of instructor so they should contact us if they have questions.  For more summer session details, see the website at http://flbs.umt.edu/education/default.aspx or access the brochure at http://flbs.umt.edu/pdfs/FLBS%20Summer%20Session%20Brochure%202017.pdf.

The Biology Department at Western Washington University has openings for

graduate students starting Fall 2017.  Faculty members in the department

offer a wide range of expertise, from molecular biology to ecology. Graduate students are eligible for teaching assistantships, which fund the

majority of tuition and provide a stipend of $12,116 per year.  WWU is

located in Bellingham, WA, a coastal city north of Seattle at the base of

Mt. Baker in the northwestern part of the state.=20

More information can be found at: https://cse.wwu.edu/biology/biology-graduate-program

or by contacting Dr. Ben Miner, Graduate Program Advisor, at benjamin.miner

at wwu.edu

Potential advisors

Marion Brodhagen: Microbiology, molecular biology, and chemical ecology. Our

lab studies the plant pathogenic fungus Aspergillus and aflatoxin, a potent

toxin produced by this fungus. Our current projects involve the ability of

certain plant secondary metabolites to stop growth and/or toxin production

by Aspergillus. Future research directions will include investigations of

the molecular mechanisms by which these plant compounds alter fungal

metabolism. We also are interested in the role of Aspergillus in

colonization of plastics labeled biodegradable, in agricultural settings.

Aspergillus is a key colonizer of such plastics but its ability to break

down polymers is unclear, as is the extent of toxin formation during plastic

colonization. https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/brodham

Lina Dalberg: The Dahlberg Lab uses the model organism C. elegans to probe

the neurobiological, cellular, and behavioral role for proteins involved in

a ubiquitin-dependent processes called Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated

Degradation (ERAD). This project will use a variety of techniques, including

fluorescence microscopy, behavioral assays, and biochemical characterization

to investigate how ERAD targets neural receptors for degradation. A second,

NSF-funded project focuses on improving metacognitive skills in

undergraduate Biology students; students interested in this project must

have experience (via coursework or research) in education and pedagogy research.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/dahlbec

Dave Hooper: Plant Community and Ecosystem Ecology.  I will be accepting one

graduate student in fall 2015.  My local research is currently focused on

assessing ecosystem services associated with different scenarios of riparian

restoration in Whatcom County.  Student work would combine GIS analyses of

ecosystem services and field work, particularly on nutrient retention, to

validate modeling results.  I also have opportunities focused on analyzing

large data sets to understand aspects of biodiversity loss and assembly of

plant communities.=20 https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/hooper

Robin Kodner: Marine Microbial Metagenomics.  The Kodner lab does

interdisciplinary work integrating marine microbial ecology with comparative

genomics and bioinformatics for metagenomes. I am recruiting for one student

for work on bioinformatics projects.  Some experience with sequence analysis

and programming required.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/kodnerr

Suzanne Lee: The long-term research goals of the Lee Lab are to better

understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie gene regulatory pathways

that target RNA. The biological importance of gene regulation at the

post-transcriptional level is underscored by the fact that many human

diseases result when RNA metabolism goes awry. Currently, the Lee lab is

investigating pathways that target aberrant RNA transcripts for degradation

through engagement of RNAi machinery or the nonsense-mediated decay pathway.

We use an early branching eukaryote, the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, as

a model eukaryotic system in our research, as it offers the unique

opportunity to uncover both broadly applicable mechanisms and interesting

points of organism-specific diversification.  Students pursuing research in

our lab have the opportunity to learn a broad array of experimental tools

used in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology.  Project opportunities

exist for 1-2 Masters=92 students with prior experience in cloning, PCR,

protein purification, and/or microscopy.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/lees65

Craig Moyer: My interests are marine microbiology and geomicrobiology

focusing on molecular approaches for exploring microbial diversity,

community structure and ecological interactions. Presently, my lab and I are

focused on the study of iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria acting as the

ecosystem engineers in microbial mats found at strong redox boundaries,

including seep, spring and vent habitats. We are also examining the

evolutionary divergence of surface and deep subsurface Zetaproteobacteria in

hydrothermal systems.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/cmoyer

Lynn Pillitteri: Plant Molecular and Developmental Biology.  A potential

graduate project in my lab would be aimed at understanding the molecular

mechanisms driving cell type differentiation in the model organism,

Arabidopsis thaliana.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/pillitl

Dan Pollard: Cellular Systems Genetics and Genomics.  The Pollard lab has

opportunities to study the molecular mechanisms of natural variation in

protein expression dynamics in budding yeasts on an NSF supported project. The lab integrates microscopy, molecular biology, quantitative genetics,

genomics, and computational biology, providing a broad and diverse graduate

training experience. https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/pollard

Dietmar Schwarz: Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics,

Evolutionary Ecology. Schwarz’s lab offers opportunities to study

speciation, hybridization, and adaptation in host specific insects (apple

maggot flies and relatives). The Schwarz lab also collaborates with

Alejandro Acevedo on the molecular ecology of foraging in harbor seals.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/schward2

Anu Singh-Cundy: Plant Cell Biology and Biochemistry.  We study cell-cell

interactions at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. Current

projects are focused on understanding the role of HD-AGPs, which are

extracellular glycoproteins that are expressed in the transmitting tissue of

the pistil and in the vasculature of roots and shoots. We also study pectins

and pectin-modifying enzymes found in the pistil of solanaceous species.

https://cse.wwu.edu/biology-faculty/anu

The lab of Dr. Andrew Nelson in the Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Sciences at the University of Idaho is seeking qualified applicants for 1 crew leader ($12-13/hour) and 2-3 technicians ($9-10/hour) for 40 hours per week during summer 2017. In general, the Nelson lab focuses on silviculture and applied forest ecology. Our research explores the effects of forest management on stand dynamics and tree growth, specifically forests of the Inland Empire (northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and western Montana) and the greater Northern Rockies and Inland Northwest.

Expected start date May 22, 2017 and expected end date August 18, 2017. Employee will be responsible for arranging their own housing in Moscow, Idaho or surrounding area during the term of employment.

Technician Qualifications:

=95=09Knowledge of Inland Northwest vegetation or ability to learn quickly

=95=09Knowledge of forest measurements and tools

=95=09Be able to work in the field in all weather conditions

=95=09Be able to camp as needed (applicants must provide their own supplies)

=95=09Be able to hike in rugged terrain

=95=09Be able to carry 50 lbs

=95=09Pass a criminal background check

=95=09Possess a valid driver=92s license =95=09Be able to drive University of Idaho vehicles (cannot have suspended license in the past three years, cannot have alcohol or drug-

related offense)

Crew Leader Qualifications:

=95=09All the qualifications for the technician positions, plus:

o=09At least one year experience as a field technician

o=09Ability to communicate with forest managers and coordinate field activities

Interested applicants should submit a resume or CV, brief statement of interest and experience, and contact information (name, affiliation, phone number, and email) for 2 professional or academic references in a single PDF document to Dr. Andrew Nelson (asnelson@uidaho.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately. Deadline for application is January 31, 2017.

Brief Project Overview

1.=09Western Larch Thinning and Understory Vegetation

=95=09Location: Private and state forestland throughout northern Idaho and northeastern Washington =96 camping required

=95=09Long-term study of young, nearly pure western larch stands managed with three thinning densities (unthinned, 12 ft spacing, and 16ft spacing) and two understory management treatments (complete removal, no removal)

=95=09Duties include installing new trial sites and measuring treatment effects on tree growth, canopy structure, understory diversity, and soil moisture

2.=09Western Larch Genetics =D7 Environment Interactions

=95=09Location: Private forestland in northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and northeastern Oregon =96 camping required

=95=09Long-term study to examine the performance of superior western larch clones in response to non-tree competition across a climatic gradient in the Inland Empire. 7 superior larch families in pure family blocks plus a standard orchard bulk seed mix block with and without complete control of non-tree vegetation.

=95=09Duties include assisting with greenhouse measurements of seedlings, locating study sites, and laying out planting blocks in the field in cooperation with forest managers.

3.=09Douglas-fir and Western Larch Competition Thresholds

=95=09Location: Private and state forestland throughout northern Idaho, northeastern Montana, and northeastern Oregon =96 camping required

=95=09Study will examine the amount of non-tree competition surrounding Douglas-fir and western seedlings required to cause a substantial decline in growth and survival across a climate gradient in the Inland Empire. Experiment will consist of two tree species with different areas of non-tree vegetation control around each seedling (no control, 1 ft control, 3 ft control, 5 ft control).

=95=09Duties include locating field sites, applying treatments, and initial seedling measurements.

4.=09Western White Pine and Douglas-fir Responses to Site Preparation

=95=09Location: Priest River Experimental Forest in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho =96 housing provided

=95=09Study will examine the long-term effects (32 years post-

planting) of site preparation treatments (no management, scalping, bedding, bedding + non-tree vegetation control) on the diameter and height growth, and growth efficiency of western white pine and Douglas-

fir.

=95=09Duties include tree felling, detailed field measurements of tree branches and stems, laboratory measurements of leaf area and stem growth.

Master=92s student position for a project examining climate impacts on plant-insect interactions at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).

The project=92s primary goal is to determine direct and indirect effects of host plant phenology on multi-trophic interactions. Applicants with interest in both field research as well as laboratory techniques are encouraged to apply. The student will be based at UCCS during the academic year, with summer fieldwork conducted primarily at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, CO. MS program will begin in Fall 2017 at UCCS, but data collection may begin in Summer 2017 at RMBL.

To express interest, please email (emooney@uccs.edu): (1) a statement of research interests/background and (2) the following supporting documents as a SINGLE PDF (a) CV, (b) a list of 3-4 professional references (names and contact information), (c) general GRE scores, and (d) unofficial transcripts. =20 Teaching or research assistantships are available for applicants (US citizens) during the academic year, and funding for all costs of field research is available for summer 2017 and beyond.  For full consideration (and after discussing interests with Dr. Mooney), interested students should apply to the UCCS graduate program in biology (http://www.uccs.edu/biology/future-students/graduate-program.html)=20

before February 1, 2017.=20

The Ruttenberg Lab and Needles Lab at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (http://www.marine.calpoly.edu/faculty/benjamin-ruttenberg;=20

http://www.marine.calpoly.edu/faculty/lisa-needles) have funding for a master’s student to work on a project examining Pismo clam population dynamics and potential techniques for restoration, to begin Fall 2017. The student would be based in San Luis Obispo, CA, with some travel required to local field sites, as well as sites throughout California and potentially Baja California, Mexico. More information about the Cal Poly Biology Graduate Program is available here: http://bio.calpoly.edu/content/grad-

degrees.

The primary goals of the project are to understand the current status, causes of decline, and potential for restoration of Pismo clams (Tivela stultorum) in San Luis Obispo County and throughout the range of the species (Monterey, CA to central Baja California, Mexico). Work will include significant field sampling of adult and juvenile clams, as well as laboratory experiments related to developing methods to spawn and rear clams. There will also be opportunities to explore additional questions of the student=92s interest related to these issues.  Funding for the project includes in-state tuition and all costs related to field work and travel; additional funding for student stipend may be available and opportunities will also be available to obtain support as a teaching assistant/lab instructor in the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly.

This is a specific project, and therefore the ideal student would have many/all of the following qualifications:

1.=09Experience conducting shore-based/intertidal fieldwork, including organizing field logistics.

2.=09Experience managing teams of students/assistants.

3.=09Experience with rearing and care of adult and larval molluscs, other invertebrates or fish in an aquarium setting is preferred but not required.

4.=09Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and 150 on each GRE section (higher strongly preferred).

5.=09Experience/skills with statistics and data analysis; experience with software packages such as R strongly preferred but not required.

6.=09Potential availability to initiate fieldwork during summer 2017.

7.=09CA residency advantageous (but not required) since tuition funds only cover in-state tuition (but out-of-state tuition waivers are available for strong candidates)

Interested candidates should email Dr. Benjamin Ruttenberg (bruttenb@calpoly.edu) with a *brief* description of qualifications, interest in the Cal Poly MS program, and the project, as well as a short CV (2 pages max), all as a single PDF file (with the title =91LastName_Firstname.pdf=92). Please include GPA, GRE scores, experience with fieldwork, organizing logistics, animal care, data analysis experience and skills, etc, and names and contact info of at least 3 references.

Application deadline for Cal Poly is Feb 1.

0AWe are seeking 2 to 3 graduate students (MSc and/or PhD) and a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to participate in a collaborative investigation with IISD-ELA, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and York University of iron cycling in lakes and iron regulation of competition between cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton. This is an opportunity to engage in laboratory and field studies in support of a project at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario where background information on chemistry, biology and physics of lakes has been collected over the past 47 years. =0A=0AProject Summary:=0A=0AHarmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes and reservoirs constitute a major threat to human health and, by extension, to the Canadian economy. HABs, especially those associated with cyanobacteria (cyano-HABs), have direct impacts on the safety of drinking water supplies by producing a variety of liver and nerve toxins in addition to causing taste and odour problems. Cyano-HABs have been increasing in recent years across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. There is an urgent need to improve the science and to manage risk with regard to cyano-HABs. Inputs of the main nutrients, P and N, have been the focus of much research and management efforts. Recently a new hypothesis centres on the importance of the availability of iron (Fe) in the form of Fe(II) as the key to formation of cyanobacterial blooms. Determining the source of Fe(II) available to cyanobacteria is, however, difficult. We have discovered that the natural stable isotopes of Fe hold great promise to decipher the source of Fe used by cyanobacteria. Our project will evaluate this novel isotopic tool for understanding Fe cycling in lakes and reservoirs at risk from cyano-HABs. =0A=0AOpportunities:=0A=0AA series of field campaigns at the ELA, laboratory experiments and modelling exercises will evaluate the Fe cycling in boreal lakes and the use of natural stable Fe isotopes. Carefully selected samples from other lakes and reservoirs across Canada, collected by collaborating scientists, will also be analyzed to evaluate the potential for widespread application of this promising novel technique. Potential graduate student research projects will be (1) examine how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations affect Fe fractionation in algal cultures (MSc) and (2) determine the seasonality of Fe, C and N stable isotope values in several lakes (MSc or PhD) concurrent with seasonal algal succession. (3) The postdoctoral fellow will apply comprehensive biogeochemical lake and sediment models to coupled cycling of C, N, P, Fe, S and O2 using historical and current ELA data.=0A=0AInterested Applicants:=0A=0AFor further information: See either Lewis Molot or Sherry Schiff at the CCFFR-SCL conference in Montr=E9al 5-8 January 2017 or send email to:=0A=0AProf. Lewis Molot=0AFaculty of Environmental Studies=0AYork University=0AToronto, ON M3J 1P3=0Almolot@yorku.ca=0A=0AProf. Jason Venkiteswaran=0ADepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies=0AWilfrid Laurier University=0AWaterloo, ON N2L 3C5=0Ajvenkiteswaran@wlu.ca=0A=0AProf. Sherry Schiff=0ADepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences=0AUniversity of Waterloo=0AWaterloo, ON N2L 3G1=0Asschiff@uwaterloo.ca=0A=0AJason.=0A=0A—–=0AJason Venkiteswaran, PhD=0AAssistant Professor=0AGeography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University=0Ahttps://wlu.ca/jvenkiteswaran=0A=0A

The research team at ARCAmazon</b>–<i>the Alliance for Research and Conservation in the Amazon</i>–is seeking volunteers and interns to assist with the setup and roll-out of a long-term wildlife, land-use and climate change research project in the remote Peruvian Amazon.

Participants will work alongside and learn from experienced field researchers and local guides. Data will be collected about local wildlife, human activities and land use in the Las Piedras watershed.

Initial fieldwork will look at the human impacts on (i) groups of endangered Black Peruvian spider monkey (<i>Ateles chamek</i>), (ii) big trees of the lowland Amazon, (iii) mammal and macaw clay-licks, and (iv) large and medium sized terrestrial mammals.

Fieldwork commences in February of 2017 and will be repeated in following years.  Recommended time for participation is 1-3 months, though shorter and longer placements can be considered.

Limited placements will be offered on an application basis.  Successful applicants are expected to cover their own living costs which has been calculated into an all-inclusive participation fee.

1 month (30 days): $2,345

2 months (60 days): $3,955

3 months (90 days): $5,130

The fee includes all board and lodging for the participant, airport pickup and briefing, local transport to and from remote field sites, research equipment, training, supervision and emergency support.  There is a full time chef, comfortable accommodation, even running water!

To apply, please visit: www.conservetheamazon.org/peruvian-amazon-volunteer-internship-programs/apply/ <a href=3D”http://conservetheamazon.org/peruvian-amazon-volunteer-internship-programs/apply/” >http://conservetheamazon.org/peruvian-amazon-volunteer-internship-programs/apply/</a>

For more information, please contact David Johnston: david@conservetheamazon.org | <a href=3D”mailto: david@conservetheamazon.org?Subject=3DHello%20again” target=3D”_top”>david@conservetheamazon.org</a></p>

ARCAmazon is working to protect the important Las Piedras Watershed in the south eastern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios). Las Piedras forms part of the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot and it has been noted as an important area for Jaguar populations as well as bird diversity.  It forms part of one of the largest contiguous areas of primary rainforest in the world.  The upper watershed is home to some of the last remaining uncontacted tribes, the Mashco Piro.

Thanks and kind regards,

David Johnston

A graduate (MSc) position is available to work in Alessio Mortelliti’s

lab (http://alessiomortelliti.weebly.com/) focusing on the response of

small mammals (mice, voles, shrews and squirrels) to forest management

practices. The goal of the study is to contribute to providing a

mechanistic understanding of mammalian responses to silvicultural

practices and to understand how these responses affect the process of

seed predation. This will include conducting a series of experiments to

measure how individual characteristics of small mammals (e.g. health

status, personality, fitness) affect seed predation in the context of a

large scale capture-mark-recapture study.

The ideal candidate would have a strong passion for field work, strong

quantitative skills and an interest in teaching. Required

qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology, biology or a

closely-related field and a minimum gpa of 3.0. Preferred

qualifications: strong organizational skills, physical capability and

endurance, experience in conducting field research (preferably on small

mammals).

The assistantship position includes a stipend (the candidate is expected

to work as a TA at least 3 semesters), 50% of the student health

insurance, and tuition paid for the graduate program at the University

of Maine. Expected start date June 1st 2017.

If you are interested please send your application as a unique pdf file

including:

1) a cover letter that outlines your qualifications for the project

(focusing on skills mentioned in the candidate profile and preferred

qualifications) and career goals,

2) Curriculum vitae

3) GRE scores

4) an unofficial transcript

Send the document to Dr. Alessio Mortelliti

(alessio.mortelliti@maine.edu <mailto:alessio.mortelliti@maine.edu>).

Applications will be reviewed beginning January 30, 2017.

Assessment and Sustainable Management of Ecosystem Services at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water. This REU focuses on field- and lab-based research in areas including watershed management, biofuels, sustainability and more. Projects are supervised by UA Faculty and vary from year to year based on the most current work being conducted at UA.

The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, AR, will support the training of 10 degree-seeking undergraduate students for 10 weeks during the summer of 2017 (May 22 to July 28).  Room and board will be provided as well as a $5500 stipend during the program.

This opportunity specifically welcomes Native American undergraduates from Native-serving two-year colleges, four-year universities, and research universities.  However, all undergraduates are welcome and encouraged to apply.  Students will participate in structured lectures combined with laboratory and field research, and cultural enrichment activities that emphasize the process of science, the ethic of sustainability, sustainability of food, water, and energy systems, and the cultural connections of ecology with tribal traditions. Students will develop and complete an independent research project with the aid of their mentor(s), attend and present at a professional meeting, and complete a manuscript.  Students will participate in responsible conduct of research training and ethics modules interspersed throughout the program.

TO APPLY please submit an online application (http://ecoreu.uark.edu/Application/index.htm). Two letters of recommendation need to be emailed or mailed directly from letter writers.  Student participants will be selected by a committee composed of project principal investigators (PIs) and mentors.  Women, minority, and disabled students are strongly encouraged to apply.

More information about the program is available by visiting http://ecoreu.uark.edu<http://ecoreu.uark.edu/> , or by contacting the PI (Dr. Michelle Evans-White at mevanswh@uark.edu<mailto:mevanswh@uark.edu>) or the co-PIs (Dr. Brian Haggard at haggard@uark.edu<mailto:haggard@uark.edu> and Dr. Marty Matlock at mmatlock@uark.edu<mailto:mmatlock@uark.edu>).