Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Eastern Kentucky UniversityEastern Kentucky University is seeking applicants for a summer REU program. The theme of the research is disturbance ecology. Students will work at Lilley Cornett Woods, a field station with old-growth forest in eastern Kentucky, and in Daniel Boone National Forest. This is a 10 week program running from May 24 – July 30, 2021.
Research projects for summer 2021 include studies of fish, salamanders, aquatic invertebrates, copperheads, migratory birds, small mammals, pollinators, old-growth forest, geohydrology, ecological resilience, remote sensing, and GIS. Students will be paired with faculty mentors and work closely with agency professionals. Students will develop research skills including communication, data collection and management, analysis, and writing, while also learning to work in remote field locations. Students will also participate in professional development workshops and recreational trips.
Student benefits include a stipend of $6000, housing, a food allowance, travel costs to and from EKU, research travel during the summer, and research supplies.
To be eligible, students must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident and an undergraduate graduating no earlier than Fall 2021. We especially encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, first generation college students, financially disadvantaged students, and students from colleges with limited research opportunities. Covid-19 related restrictions may create limitations for housing and travel.
Applications are due February 19, 2021. Participants will be selected by March 15, 2021. More information including the application can be found at https://bioreu.eku.edu/
Questions can be sent to David Brown or Kelly Watson at bioreu@eku.edu .