[NHCOLL-L:2209] REU Fellowship at Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences

[Alexandra Moede]

Do you know any undergraduates interested in spending the Summer working at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia? 

The Patrick Center for Environmental Research at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences has an REU opportunity in bioinformatics (primarily database development, database coding and querying, website design and coding). 

The Academy will pay for travel to and from Philadelphia, housing and expenses for supplies, field trips, and research. All students will live in dormitories or apartments adjacent to the Academy of Natural Sciences in the heart of the Museum district of Philadelphia. Each student will receive a stipend of $350 per week.
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Additional REU Fellowship descriptions available at:
http://www.acnatsci.org/research/reu.html

Research Experiences for Undergraduates Fellowships

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia offers 10-week summer internships for undergraduates, through the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Programs for Undergraduates (REU). The Academy's REU program is dedicated to training students in research based on the Academy's world-renowned collections in Botany, Ichthyology, Ornithology, Entomology, Malacology, and Paleontology as well as our Library and Archives. Research staff at the Academy work in systematics, natural history, evolutionary biology, and ecology.

REU Projects for the Summer of 2004
June 7-Aug. 13, 2004

Biological Informatics - Development of the Algae Images Website
Scientist mentors: Dr. Don Charles & Kathleen Sprouffske

Phycology Section activities focus on ecology and taxonomy of freshwater algae, particularly diatoms. We seek to better understand the distributions of algal taxa throughout the U.S., and the environmental factors influencing both the occurrence of taxa over large scales and the composition of assemblages at individual sites. To that end, we have created the Algae Image Database (http://diatom.acnatsci.org/AlgaeImage) containing light micrograph images of diatom taxa from rivers throughout the USA. Youwill have a chance to further develop the capabilities of the Algae Image Database, including: modifying the existing web application and database so that the algae images are immediately available on the website after they are identified, incorporating hundreds of existing non-diatom images, generating dynamic maps indicating the distribution of taxa, and potentially interrelating the Algae Image Database to the references maintained as part of the Diatom Herbarium. This experience will give the student researcher an opportunity to learn about and participate in the development of biological collections and ecological databases and web applications. The researcher should have excellent computer skills. Familiarity with biology, HTML, databases, and any high-level programming language is helpful.


Eligibility 

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and enrolled in a college or university (i.e., entering your sophomore, junior, or senior year after completing our summer program). Participants must commit to full participation in the 10-week program, which runs from the first full week of June until mid-August. 

To Apply

We are currently accepting applications for the Summer of 2004! 

Applicants should send:
 
1) A one-page letter of intent stating career goals and how this experience will help meet these goals. In your letter please describe any prior research experience you may have had and indicate a first and second choice of project from those listed below. Also provide your address, phone number, and e-mail address. Optional: if you feel you are a member of an underrepresented group (e.g., based on ethnicity, disability, geography, age, etc.) you have the option of indicating this in your letter. 

2) an official transcript; and 

3) two letters of recommendation. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday March 12, 2004 for letter of intent, with statement that all other materials are on their way.

Send applications to:

REU Coordinator 
Academy of Natural Sciences 
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway 
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

The Academy of Natural Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, and students with disabilities. This program is sponsored by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DBI-0353930).