The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
The REU in the Mycorrhiza Lab at North Central College focuses on some basic and applied questions about how common mycorrhizal networks mediate invasive plant interactions. Using state-of-the-art facilities, techniques, and equipment, Dr. W has set out to examine three important aspects of species invasions: establishment, environmental change, and persistence. Over the next several years, the lab will be investigating the role of common mycorrhizal networks in species invasions through both greenhouse and field work.
During the 10-week summer program, students actively engage in research under the mentorship of Dr. W. Students will receive housing, travel expenses when applicable, and a stipend of $6000. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation.
During the 10-week summer program, students actively engage in research under the mentorship of Dr. W. Students will receive housing, travel expenses when applicable, and a stipend of $6000. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Program Dates: May 20 - July 26, 2024
Application Deadline: Extended to March 20, 2024
Application Deadline: Extended to March 20, 2024
Program Activities
The REU will begin with a one-week orientation that includes group activities and in-depth conversations about research, careers,, and the summer research project. Regular journal club meetings and lab meetings will help students understand the state of the field of research and critical thinking skills. Students will regularly maintain and collect data on an experiment, learning how to develop specific, testable hypotheses and interpreting statistical analyses. Throughout the summer, students will have multiple public-speaking opportunities to present their research, which includes an end-of-the summer poster presentation.
Job Duties for the project
- Attend regular journal-club meetings on relevant peer-reviewed literature and actively participate in learning through discussion.
- Mix fertilizers using knowledge of basic chemistry.
- Maintain a plant growth experiment by keeping plants alive, healthy, and growing through daily observations and monitoring.
- Take weekly measurements.
- Assist with harvest- clipping, drying, weighing, and storing plant parts.
- Assist with setting up future experiments in the field.
Applicant Qualifications
- Strong ability to pay attention to detail
- Self-motivated students comfortable with some level of independence
- Ability to think on one’s feet
- Experience with growing plants
- Completion of introductory biology with a B+ or above
- A GPA of 3.0 or above
- Completion of a 200-level ecology is preferred, but not required
Because this is a National Science Foundation-funded opportunity, applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
Financial Support
Stipends, housing and travel expenses are provided.
Stipend: $6000 for the 10-week session
Housing: North Central College campus housing in one of our dorms will be provided
Food: An allowance will be provided.
Travel expenses: Round-trip airfare will be provided to participants who do not live within driving distance of the program.
Stipend: $6000 for the 10-week session
Housing: North Central College campus housing in one of our dorms will be provided
Food: An allowance will be provided.
Travel expenses: Round-trip airfare will be provided to participants who do not live within driving distance of the program.
Application
In this online application, you will be asked a few questions about yourself and then asked to submit the following materials:
- An academic transcript from all of the undergraduate institutions you have attended. Official and unofficial versions are accepted.
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement.
- 1 - 1.5 pages in length
- The personal statement should demonstrate why you are interested in science and research, your career and educational goals, and why you think this research experience would benefit you. Include any skills you bring with you such as laboratory skills, previous research experiences, awards, honors, or extracurricular activities. Please discuss why research in this lab interests you.
- A letter of recommendation from one former professor or teacher.
Contact
Dr. Joanna Weremijewicz (Dr. W), Principal Investigator: JWeremijewicz@noctrl.edu