Research Experience for Undergraduates
Gulf of Maine and the World Ocean
June 7 - August 13, 2010
Bigelow Laboratory’s National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program offers undergraduates the opportunity to work closely with scientists on current research projects. Directed by Senior Research Scientist Dr. David Fields, the ten week program is designed to give students a meaningful research experience with an emphasis on hands-on, state-of-the-art methods and technologies.
Eight students will be selected and each will be paired with a Bigelow scientist based on mutual research interests. Students will develop a research plan, conduct their proposed work, prepare a project summary and poster, and give an oral presentation at the end of the program. In addition, special events such as seminars, workshops, lectures and social opportunities are planned throughout the summer.
Successful applicants will receive a modest stipend, a food and housing allowance, and support for travel and supplies during the ten week session.
Bigelow Laboratory is a center for global ocean research; our focus ranges from microbial oceanography to large-scale processes that drive interactions between ocean ecosystems and the global environment. Areas of research include the marine microbial food web, ocean biogeochemistry, optical oceanography, remote sensing, sensory biology, climate change and fisheries oceanography. These projects have taken Bigelow scientists to every ocean and the polar seas.
Quotes From 2009 Participants:
“This opportunity has solidified my future goals and aspirations as a scientist. I now have a better idea of what I need to accomplish to get the career I want and I feel I am better prepared to tackle those tasks. “
“The REU program showed me the process of research – start to finish – in finer detail than I’ve ever seen. I was involved in nearly every minute aspect. I gained more valuable lab experience and used new toys. “
“The greatest strength was the communication and community spirit. Not only could I talk to my mentors about anything, at any time, even other people’s mentors were available.”
Mentors and Project Opportunities
Mentors and Project Opportunities
The following mentors at Bigelow Laboratory are accepting REU students for the 2010 summer program (this list will change yearly).
David Emerson: Environmental Microbiology
David Fields: Zooplankton Ecology and Neuroethology
Joaquim Goés: Phytoplankton Biochemistry and Remote Sensing
Patricia Matrai: Phytoplankton Physiology, Atmospheric Chemistry, and Production of Climate-relevant Gases
David McClellan: Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics
Michael Sieracki: Phytoplankton Ecology and Flow Cytometry
Ramunas Stepanauskas: Marine Bacterioplankton and Molecular Biology Tools
Benjamin Twining: Role of Iron in the Growth and Composition of Marine Phytoplankton
Richard Wahle: Fisheries Ecology/Oceanography, Benthic Ecology and Food Webs
William Wilson: Marine Virology and Molecular Tools
Hwan Su Yoon: Phylogeny and Genome Evolution of the Algae
Eligibility
An NSF-supported REU participant must be a current undergraduate student and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its possessions. An undergraduate student is defined as a student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate under certain circumstances. Students graduating the May before the program are not eligible for the Bigelow Laboratory REU Program. Participants must be returning to an undergraduate program the summer after the REU Program. See NSF's eligibility guidelines for more information.
Minorities, women and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should have a minimum of one year of basic biology and be in good standing with their home institution. Most REU students will have completed two or three years of college. A letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on continued commitment to self-motivated projects is weighted more than the GPA.
How to Apply
Review of applications begins February 15, 2010. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
All students who are offered a position at this REU site have until March 15 or later to accept or reject the offer. This REU site is funded by the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, and the cognizant Program Director for all OCE-funded REU sites is Lisa Rom at elrom@nsf.gov or (703) 292-7709.
Application Procedure and Requirements:
Applications are evaluated based on three critical components. Incomplete applications are not considered. All application materials should be sent to the REU contact.
1) A two-page application including short answers written by the applicant.
2) Two letters of recommendation.
3) The most recent transcript from the academic institution you attend.
Applicants should have a minimum of one year of basic biology and be in good standing with their home institution. Most REU students will have completed two or three years of college. A letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on your commitment to self-motivated projects is weighted more than your GPA.
Printable Application Form (PDF) -- to be completed and mailed by the applicant
Printable Recommendation Form (PDF) -- to be completed and mailed by the referee
Application Form (Word) -- to be completed and emailed by the applicant
Recommendation Form (Word) -- to be completed and emailed by the referee
Contact Information
Submit all application materials using either the downloaded PDF forms (to be filled out by hand and mailed in) or the Word documents (to be emailed) to Bigelow Laboratory's Education Coordinator:
Rebecca Fowler
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
180 McKown Point Road
West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575-0475 USA
Important Dates
| Application Deadline: | 15 February 2010 |
| Decision Date: | 15 March 2010 |
| Program Start Date: | 7 June 2010 |
| Program End Date: | 13 August 2010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the program cost? There is no cost to participate in the REU. All housing expenses are covered by the program and participants receive a stipend, a moderate food allowance and a limited budget for supplies and travel to and from the Laboratory.
Where will we live? Participants live together in the 1780 House at Harborfields, a group of waterfront cottages within walking distance of Bigelow Laboratory. Students share a room with 1 or 2 other REU program participants.
Is it possible to have a private room? No.
What will I eat? Students are responsible for their own meals. Full kitchen facilities are available in the 1780 house.
Do I need a car? You may bring your personal vehicle, but housing is within walking distance of the Laboratory, and there is limited public transportation to Boothbay Harbor for grocery shopping.
Can I receive credit for this program? This is encouraged. Students interested in receiving course credit should make arrangements through their home academic institution.
Can I be a senior? Yes, as long as you have not graduated.
Gulf of Maine and the World Ocean REU Poster (PDF) (PDF - 307 kb)