Plant genomics at Michigan State Unviversity

One place to start your search for a summer research internship is to look through posts on this blog about what AU students have done in past summers.  Josh Allman spent last summer in a 10-week internship in plant genomics at Michigan State University, and the program recently reached out to us asking us to spread the word to current students.

This program's internship goes from May 19th to July 25th, pays a $5000 stipend, and involves molecular botanical research related to agriculture and biofuels.  The program is open to rising juniors and seniors and applications are due February 12th.

Summer research internships in Nebraska and New York

We plan to post information about a summer internship opportunity each day of the holiday break.  Consider it the twelve days of summer research internships.  Today we are getting a head start by posting two opportunities:

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosts a diversity of internship opportunities in biology, chemistry and earth sciences.  Applications are due February 1st, but are already being accepted.  The internship pays a stipend and covers room, board and travel expenses.  You can see last summers participants below.

Cornell University and the BTI for Plant Research is hosting a more focused summer internship program in plant genome research, bioinformatics and plant energy education.  Applications are being accepted now through the first Friday in February.  This internship also provides a stipend along with free housing.

Time to find a summer research internship

The National Science Foundation funds paid summer research
internships all over the country

Classes are done, holiday shopping will be coming to an end, and soon family get togethers will be over.  So what else can you do over the holiday break?  This is the perfect time to find summer research internships!  These opportunities are a great way to learn more science, get experience in the lab, get paid, and improve your chances of getting into graduate school, health professional programs, or that first job in the sciences after graduation.

We are fortunate that most summer research internships in the sciences are paid positions, with those at universities also typically offering free room and board.  We have a number of students being accepted into these competitive summer programs each year across the country.  You can read about our students from past summers and their internship experiences using the Summer Research Internship tag on this blog.

Because they are competitive you will want to apply to a number of positions to increase your chance of getting one.  Applications are often due in January and February, so the holiday break is a great time to identify places you would like to go and start the application process.  You will also usually need two faculty references, so contact faculty over the break to ask for those support letters.

In addition to searching through this blog for opportunities posted in the past, you can use this page from the National Science Foundation to find internships funded by the federal government.  Most internship programs at large universities are supported by the NSF.  You can also use Google searches to find internships that match your interests.

We will post summer research internship opportunities in a variety of disciplines here on this blog throughout the break.  Here is one to get you started:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Medicine offers their summer SURE-REU program in molecular biosciences from May 18th to July 25th.  We had AU students take part in this program in 2009 and 2010.  One of those students is now earning his PhD at UNC Chapel Hill.  The other is earning her doctorate at The Ohio State University.  The program pays a $5000 stipend for the 10 weeks and includes room and board.  Review of applications begins February 3rd.  As with all summer programs, get your applications in early and ask a faculty member or advisor to review your personal statement.

Lecture to Emphasize the impact of U.S. Foreign Investment on Environmental Pollution and Health

November 4^th, 7pm

Trustee’s Room - Upper Convocation Center

Perry Gottesfeld

The Ashland University College of Arts and Sciences' Symposium AgainstIndifference: Engaging Latin America and the Caribbean will host a lecture by Perry Gottesfeld, Executive Director of Occupational Knowledge International (OK International).

Co-sponsored by the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Mr. Gottesfeld will speak on Monday, November 4^th at 7 p.m. in the Trustee’s Room located in the Upper Convocation Center. 
U.S. corporate investment in industrial facilities is often welcomed by countries looking to expand markets, modernize antiquated facilities, create jobs, and improve productivity.  However, such investments are often followed by disappointment as companies continue to operate polluting plants that draw the attention of local regulators. These companies also come under criticism at home for not meeting U.S. standards for emissions and occupational health and safety protections.  This talk will explore two case studies outlining U.S. investments in Peru and Mexico that are resulting in significant environmental and public health impacts.

Perry Gottesfeld has been actively involved in the environmental health field since 1984. He obtained his Masters of Public Health in Biomedical and Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley, and in 1988 started Occupational Knowledge, Inc., to offer training and consulting services in the environmental field. In this capacity, Mr. Gottesfeld has conducted environmental audits, training and consulting services to businesses, non-profit organizations, government and universities on hazardous materials and solid waste management issues. In 1999, Gottesfeld founded OK International to address environmental health in developing countries. OK International is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health through innovative strategies to reduce exposures to industrial pollutants. The organization seeks to address inequities in environmental standards between developed and developing countries by working in partnership with industry, government and non-governmental organizations. The organization's web site may be found at www.okinternational.org.

Ashland biology major interns at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Mallory with a burmese python

Junior biology major Mallory Balmert spent her summer teaching the public about exotic animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Mallory's paid internship with the education department at the zoo gave her valuable experience in public science outreach and an inside track towards her goal to work in zoo science.  In addition to handling animals and presenting daily to zoo visitors Mallory had the opportunity to see animal care behind the scenes and work with zoo staff.  Mallory told us that:

"Working at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer as a Seasonal Education Assistant was such a rewarding experience, not only because I got to learn so much about animal care, but also because I got to teach and encourage others to get involved with wildlife."

Showing off a kookaburra

Fall is a great time to begin investigating internship opportunities for next summer.  Many internships in the sciences are paid.  Keep checking back to this blog and our Facebook page for updates on internship opportunities.  You can get some general tips on finding summer internships here.

Environmental Lecture on Nov.7 to link Environment, Peace, and Security

The second event in this year’s Environmental Lecture Series will be a presentation by Geoffrey Dabelko from Ohio University titled "Environment, Peace, and Security: Lessons from Latin America."  That will be Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 pm in the Ronk Lecture Hall, COE.  This event is being co-hosted by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence.

Dr. Geoffrey D. Dabelko, Ohio University

Dr. Geoffrey D. Dabelko is Professor and Director of Environmental Studies at the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University in Athens, OH. From 1997-2012, he served as director of the Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP), a nonpartisan policy forum on environment, population, and security issues at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.   Dabelko continues to work as a senior advisor to the Wilson Center where he helps facilitate dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and scholars grappling with the complex connections that link environment, health, population, conflict, and security.   Dabelko is also a member of the United Nations Environment Programme's Expert Advisory Group on Environment, Conflict, and Peacebuilding. 

Dabelko is co-editor of the 2002 book Environmental Peacemaking, that describes how environmental degradation can catalyze conflict and violence.  On the other hand, cooperation between adversaries with shared environmental concerns can open up pathways to peace and security, by “enhancing trust, establishing habits of cooperation, lengthening the time horizons of decision makers, forging cooperative trans-societal linkages, and creating shared regional norms and identities.”  Dabelko’s most recent research focuses on climate change and security linkages as well as environmental pathways to confidence building and peacemaking, with a special emphasis on management of fresh water resources.   He is a lead author for the 5th assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II Chapter 12 on Human Security.  He also teaches courses on global environmental politics, environmental leadership, climate change, and environmental peacebuilding. 

   

This year’s Environmental Lecture Series explores “Environmental and Human Health in Latin America,” with perspectives from experts in human ecology, policy, and scientific study related to specific environmental issues.

Ashland University Fall Career Fair is tomorrow

Whether you are actively looking for an internship or job or plan to in the future (hint: this includes all current AU students) you will benefit from attending tomorrow's (Tuesday, October 8th) Fall Career Fair from 1-4 pm in Upper Convo.  You can read the list of companies in attendance at the Fair here, and check out this great blog post from AU Career Services on why you should be there.

Toxicology major Alison Biro went to last year's career fair just to check things out and wound up with a fantastic summer research internship.  Check out the interview with Alison below.  You should be taking advantage of this opportunity to talk with recruiters from companies and graduate schools all throughout our region.

Career services asks that you dress professionally when attending the Fair and bring copies of your resume.  Don't have a resume?  You can work with Career Services to develop a resume for the next fair.  If you are a major in the Department of Biology/Toxicology you will be developing or improving your current resume in our Bio 301 Professional Development course.