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Department of Biology : Research Opportunities

The college's long-standing tradition of experiential education is an integral part of the curriculum in biology at Kalamazoo College. Students are encouraged to seek research experience opportunities within and outside Kalamazoo College. Below are some sources to help students looking for research opportunities.

Research experience resource information

  • Dow bulletin board: Periodic postings are displayed on the bulletin board outside Dow Rooms 328-329
  • Center for Career Development (CCD): Kalamazoo College students may search for an internship on the database available through the CCD
  • National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.  This sites contains a list of participating universities and other research institutions that have REU programs.  Contact individual institutions for program information and applications
  • Science Careers Web. Listing of agencies and institutions offering biology internships

 

Sources of Funding within Kalamazoo College

  • Diebold Research Fellowships: These fellowships are open to any Biology major and provide support up to $1500 for the SIP in Biology. Funds may be used for a research stipend, travel, or supplies. Awards are based on the strength of the proposed research and financial need. The number of awards granted each year will vary depending on the return on the endowment, the number of eligible students, and their individual needs. Priority is given to those projects carried out in conjunction with faculty members of the Kalamazoo College Biology Department. See the Biology Department SIP page for more details. Application letters must be received by the Biology Department Chair by Friday of 7th week of spring quarter.
  • HHMI fellowships: Kalamazoo College is the recipient of funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support students engaged in laboratory summer research projects. Any student currently in the First-Year, Sophomore, or Junior class who is planning a summer project with a research mentor off campus or with a Kalamazoo College faculty member in biomedical sciences is eligible to apply. Application deadline is typcially mid-April.
  • Center for Career Development: The CCD often has knowledge about funds specifically available for internship experiences outside of Kalamazoo College. These funds may be in the form of special grants to the college. For example, students are eligible to apply for Field Experience Internship Program (up to ~ $100/wk) to supplement unpaid or low-paid internships for expenses directly related to the experience (such as travel to the internship site, housing, daily transportation, etc.). For more information, please contact the CCD for application materials and deadlines (typically May).
  • Center for International Programs: The Student Projects Abroad (SPA) grant and fellowship program is designed to help defray the costs of a Senior Individualized Project or other College-related activity in an international location. In order to facilitate a deeper understanding of another language and culture, these fellowships and grants are designed to provide additional funding to allow recipients to undertake a project that they could not otherwise afford. Sources of funding incude: The Beeler Fellowship, The Beeler Project Grant, and The Collins Fellowship.

 

Other institutions/agencies with extensive internship databases
Application deadline and location varies by position.

Selected internship programs - most with June start dates (more listings through databases listed above)

Approx. Deadline

Sponsor / Internship

Field

Location

Dec 19 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) program offers undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. Potential Funding per Fellowship: Up to a total of: $41,500. Fellows will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. Cost sharing is not required. Environmental areas of study home institution during academic year, EPA facility during summer internship
applications reviewed on rolling basis. Feb 15 latest deadline (but apply earlier for best chances) Ohio State University, Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) in Plant Molecular Biology/Biotechnology (PMBB). This 10-week interdisciplinary internship includes investigations at the molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and environmental levels. Available research projects focus on many areas including plant molecular biology, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant metabolic engineering, plant genomics, photosynthesis biochemistry, and chemical ecology. Interns get hands-on opportunities to apply molecular and biotechnological approaches to study key issues in plant science. Interns will conduct independent research projects under the guidance of faculty sponsors. Research may involve laboratory and/or field work depending on the project. Faculty sponsors will provide students with unique opportunities to learn essential research skills and techniques of modern scientific research.

plant molecular biology, molecular plant-microbe interactions, plant metabolic engineering, plant genomics, photosynthesis biochemistry, and chemical ecology

OH, Wooster and Columbus
not specified; early applications recommended Marine Biological Laboratory Semester Internship Program
As part of its outreach and education role, the Marine Resources Center (MRC) of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) has established an internship program with positions available to college students and recent college graduates. This is a one-semester program that can take place during the spring, summer, or fall semester of college. The program is also open to recent college graduates looking for a one-semester, six- month, or one-year program prior to graduate school. Interns will gain hands-on experience in aquatic animal care, husbandry, and culture. Qualifying interns will learn new scientific methods and theory by participating in research being conducted by one of the MRC's scientists. Detailed descriptions of current research projects are linked through the MBL website.
marine biology, animal husbandry, animal care, culture, molecular biology, behavior MA, Woods Hole
not specified - posted as positions become available

Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Internship opportunities with researchers. Positions may also be available for recent college graduates.

marine biology

ME, Walpole

Jan 15 to Feb 10

Garden Club of America, scholarships and fellowships for summer research

botany, ecology, conservation

various

Jan 15 Boston University and Indonesia , International Integrative Undergraduate Research Program for Under-represented Minorities. The Diversity Project is a 10-week educational program is designed to increase participation of under- represented minority students in the biological sciences through an integrated research experience that combines field work on the colorful and diverse coral reefs of Indonesia with cutting edge molecular genetic research at the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Students will join a research team comprised of Dr. Barber, graduate students, and Indonesian reef scientists. marine biology MA and Indonesia

Jan 15

Jackson Laboratory An internationally recognized center for mammalian genetic research, The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit institution. Here, outstanding students conduct interdisciplinary biomedical research as apprentices in the laboratories of staff scientists. The Laboratory, an NIH designated cancer research center, is located in the coastal Maine community of Bar Harbor, adjacent to Acadia National Park.

medical research

ME, Bar Harbor

Jan 31

NASA, Undergraduate Student Research Program. Various programs, including one in Biological and Physical Research that focuses on a wide spectrum of scientific research, including basic, applied, biological, physical, chemical, and biomedical, especially in areas such as molecular biology, nanotechnology, information technology, and genomics.

biomedical, molecular biology, genomics participating NASA centers
Jan 31 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for Environmental Education, Undergraduate Research Grants for the Environment (URGE). This program provides funding for students and faculty advisors to conduct research at the Institute each summer. Each undergraduate student is eligible for a $3,000 stipend, on-site housing, and partial meal support for their full-time 12-week research project. Each faculty advisor is also eligible for up to a $3,000 stipend that can be used for time, supplies, travel, or other research support. Application requires a research proposal and application form, available as a downloadable document. field biology, ecology, environmental science MI, Hastings

Jan 31

Organization for Tropical Studies, REU program in tropical biology. The OTS Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) was designed for advanced biology students interested in conducting field research under the supervision of an experienced tropical ecologist. OTS will support twelve undergraduates, selected through a competitive application process, for a ten-week research program at the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. In collaboration with a research mentor, students will design, conduct, and present field research projects at La Selva. The program will provide students with a first-hand look at the challenges and rewards of tropical field research. Students will participate in a rich academic field environment, including research presentations, discussions, an ethics component focusing on issues in tropical biology and conservation. In addition, participants will have access to the social, cultural, and recreational activities of the rural communities surrounding La Selva.

ecology, field biology

Costa Rica, La Selva

Feb 1

SETI Institute, Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Astrobiology. One of the three main branches of research focuses on Biochemistry and the Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth, including studies of biologically accessible carbon and UV resistant microbes. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due by February 1, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.seti.org/reu or contact Dr. Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230. Poster can be downloaded from: http://www.seti.org/pdfs/reuposter-2008.pdf

astrobiology, microbiology, biochemistry, geology, physics, chemistry CA, Silicon Valley
Feb 1 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health Summer Research Program. The Wadsworth Center participates in the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students are selected from colleges across the country to work for 10 weeks (from early June through mid-August) on independent research projects in the laboratories of Wadsworth scientists. molecular and cellular biosciences NY, Albany
Feb 1 Wayne State University School of Medicine, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program in Physiology. The program is open to all students who are not already enrolled in a graduate program, and is especially directed to juniors and seniors with a 3.0 or better GPA and an interest in any aspect of physiology (cell, molecular, systems, whole animal, bacterial, reproductive physiology). Awards will be made on the basis of academic achievement, experience, and commitment to basic research. physiology MI, Detroit

Feb 1

University of Georgia, Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). Primary preference is given to African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics/Latinos/Latinas, Asian Americans, first generation, low-income and women and men of any racial/ethnic background in fields where their gender group is historically underrepresented. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher is preferred. Students must have completed their sophomore year by June (unless otherwise selected), have a genuine interest in graduate level research and must not be graduating before December of the program year.

Natural sciences and mathematics

GA, Athens

Feb 1

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program. Approximately 25 students from around the world will be accepted to the 10-week summer program to work with senior Laboratory staff members on independent research projects, specifically in areas of: Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Macromolecular Structure, Bioinformatics

molecular biology, medical research, genetics

NY, Cold Spring Harbor

Feb 1

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Internship Program in Environmental Studies Internship projects are categorized under seven primary areas of SERC research. Global Change, Landscape Ecology, Ecology of Coastal Ecosystems, Population and Community Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Education. This program is also open to recent recent college graduates.

environmental studies

varies with project

Feb 1

Harvard University, Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology. Research at the Forest focuses on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forest ecosystems, including atmospheric pollution, global warming, hurricanes, tree falls, and insect outbreaks. Students will participate in an ongoing research project. Some positions also available for recent graduates.

ecology, environmental science, forest ecology

MA, Petersham

Feb 1 Princeton University HHMI Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The program particularly encourages applications from students (1) whose participation will add to the diversity of researchers in the sciences, or (2) whose interests lie at the boundary between biology and the computational sciences including physics, chemistry, computer science and engineering, or (3) who are from institutions that do not have large research programs. molecular biology, genetics, neurobiology NJ, Princeton

Feb 1

Miami University, REU program in Ecology and Environmental Science. This Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program emphasizes The Ecology of Human-Dominated Landscapes. The goal is to engage undergraduate students in collaborative, multidisciplinary research that emphasizes basic ecological questions in landscapes heavily influenced by human activity. Projects include those in terrestrial as well as aquatic ecology. Each undergraduate student will conduct an individual research project, but these projects will also be a part of student-faculty research "clusters," with each cluster consisting of 3-5 students and 3-5 faculty mentors.

ecology, environmental science

OH, Oxford

Feb 15 University of Michigan Biological Station, REU Program. Program dates: mid-June through mid-August. Offers an interdisciplinary experience in scientific research in "biosphere-atmosphere studies in the changing global environment." Scheduled for June 21 to August 16, 2008, the program provides hands-on experience and training in field biology and atmospheric students with all phases of research, from hypothesis formulation and data gathering to analysis, interpretation, and communication of scientific findings. Program brochure ecology, global climate change, environmental science, field biology MI, Pellston
Feb 15
(April 1 for coursework program)
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, REU Program in field biology. Program dates: June 9-Aug 17, 2008. The station also has a coursework program that offers college level courses in field ecology. Students can attend 4 week or 8 week sessions depending on their class choice, and one option for class is independent research (guided by a mentor at the station). Financial aid is available. field biology, ecology, environmental research, stream ecology CO, Gothic
Feb 15

Mote Marine Laboratory, REU program in Estuarine Science. A 10-week program in which students are paired with Mote scientists and develop and complete an independent research project related to their mentor’s research interests. Students gain experience in science communication by presenting the results of their independent project in a manuscript-style research paper and orally at a laboratory-wide research symposium. Students attend research seminars and workshops on career skills in science, Students also have the opportunity to present their research findings at professional conferences. The 2008 REU session will focus on major threats to estuaries such as aquatic pollution, natural toxins, habitat alteration, and coral reef decline.

marine biology, estuarine research, environmental science FL, Sarasota
Feb 15 University of Iowa Department of Microbiology, Summer Microbiology Undergraduate Research Program. Participants will spend nine weeks in a laboratory conducting full-time research in microbiology, microbial genetics, or molecular biology. A weekly seminar series complements the lab work. At the end of summer, students will write a research report and present their results in a campus-wide poster session. The program is open to undergraduates who have (1) finished their sophomore or junior year of college, (2) are majoring in a biological science, (3) are interested in a career in scientific research, and (4) are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Disabled students, minority students, and students who have limited research opportunities at their home institutions are particularly encouraged to apply. microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular biology IA, Iowa City
Feb 15 Hatfield Marine Science Center of Oregon State University, REU Program . The Hatfield Marine Science Center offers internships through a variety of agencies affiliated with the center. Opportunities exist for undergraduates and high school students. Potential research areas include: collection and analysis of fish/zooplankton; marine predator/prey studies; Pacific halibut ecology/behavior studies; and physical oceanography. marine biology, ecology, behavior, physiology OR, Newport

Feb 15

Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Summer REU Program. The program has three major components: (1) Student Research Projects, (2) Research Strategies for the Undergraduate, and (3) Research in Context. The program schedules interweaves activities in each area supporting student growth.

ecology

NY, Millbrook

Feb 15

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Summer Student Fellowship Program and Minority Fellowship Program for undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year and are interested in the ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, mathematics, or marine policy.

ocean sciences, marine policy

MA, Woods Hole

Feb 15 Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University, NSF Plant Genome Research Summer Internship plant genomics, molecular biology, botany NY, Ithaca
March 1 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Internship Programs. The National Park Service (NPS) offers beautiful and challenging environments with internship programs intended to provide working experience to augment your degree program. Natural and cultural resource management, park ranger, and facility management internships are available with the NPS at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, Michigan. Many alumni of the internship program have enrolled in graduate school programs and/or successfully started careers in the National Park Service. Natural Resource Management, Park Ranger, Cultural Resource Management MI, Empire

March 1

Mountain Lake Biological Station, University of Virginia REU program. Minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

ecology, evolution, field biology

VA, Mountain Lake

March 1 Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (formeraly Cedar Creek Natural History Area) of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for students to work as Research Interns. Most of the work will happen at CCNHA, however there is potential for work on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota as well. Pay is $10.00 per hour. If you are an undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background in biology, ecology, environmental sience, soil science, or related field and want to start a career in one of these fields, or if you have a strong background and interest in flora of the Great Plains, we encourage you to apply. ecosystem ecology, global climate change, biodiversity, MN, Bethel
Feb 1-March 1 (begin reviewing applications Feb 1 - apply early) University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division HHMISummer Research Training Program in area of choice within the Biological Sciences Division IL, Chicago
March 1

University of Chicago, McNair Scholars Program. This program is designed to encourage intellectually gifted undergraduate students to attend graduate school and to pursue a doctoral degree. The McNair Program is centered on increasing the number of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority college students who pursue and complete the doctoral degree.

sciences, humanities, social sciences IL, Chicago
March 1 Kansas State University and Konza Prairie Biological Station, REU program addressing Ecology and evoutionary biology of a temperate grassland. conservation biology, botany, physiology, ecology KS, Manhattan
March 1 Western Michigan University REU Program in Environmental Signal Transduction ecology, environmental science, neurobiology, toxicology, chemistry, physiology MI, Kalamazoo
March 10 Center for Great Lakes Studies of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee REU Program. This research experience program will provide undergraduate students with laboratory and field training in aquatic science (including lake and ocean systems) with extensive shipboard field research opportunities. The goal of this activity is to develop, through hands-on experience, future scholars to pursue Interdisciplinary research toward an understanding of the aquatic environment. aquatic sciences WI, Milwaukee
March 15 Michigan Technological University, REU program in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and the Ecosystem Science Center. research related to current ecological and environmental issues MI, Houghton
April 1 Humboldt State University, REU program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology encompasses research on everything from bacteria to mammals, and includes ecological field work in some of the most pristine & beautiful habitats on the Pacific Coast. ecology, evolutionary biology CA, Arcata

 

Consult the Biology Department's Handbook for Juniors and Seniors for information on conducting research toward a SIP in biology.