REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Coastal Biology on Florida's First Coast

该奖项为位于佛罗里达杰克逊维尔的北佛罗里达大学（UNF）的本科生研究经验（REU）网站计划提供了新的资金。每年夏天共有10名本科生参加为期10周的课程，为期三年。 该方案的主题是由联合国基金会生物系主办，重点是沿海生物学，特别是对北佛罗里达海岸生物资源的威胁。沿海生态系统是地球上最具生物生产力的地区之一，但也是受人类活动影响最严重的地区之一。在沿海生态系统中也经常发生环境条件的大幅度波动。这些因素影响着沿海生物生物学的各个方面，从分子生物学和遗传学到其种群的生长和生存。学生们将有机会对一系列与沿海生态系统相关的主题进行独立研究。该计划的总体目标是通过让他们参与与沿海海洋环境相关的研究来加强早期（上升的大二/大三学生）本科生的培训和职业发展。学生将在全国范围内招募，并从各种城市大学，包括爱德华沃茨学院（EWC）。他们将与联合国基金会或合作机构Guana Tolomato马坦萨斯国家河口研究保护区的生物学家配对，就北佛罗里达沿海生物资源面临的主要威胁开展指导性研究项目。学生将开发他们的项目，这将是在口头形式呈现给教师导师和其他REU参与者的简短研究建议。在最后一周，学生将在向联合国基金会社区开放的海报会议上介绍他们的研究成果。还将鼓励学生在专业会议和/或提交给专业期刊的手稿中展示他们的研究成果。将在讲习班上提供关于设计研究海报、科学写作、寻找和申请研究生院以及向公众展示科学信息等主题的额外职业指导。学生将参加联合国基金会教员、研究生和其他机构科学家定期举办的研究讨论会。

This award provides renewed funding for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site program at the University of North Florida (UNF) which is located in Jacksonville, Florida. A total of 10 undergraduates will participate in the 10-week program each summer for three years. The theme of the program, which is hosted by the UNF Department of Biology, is focused on Coastal Biology, particularly threats to the biological resources of the north Florida coast. Coastal ecosystems represent some of the most biologically productive areas on Earth, but are also some of the most affected by human activity. Wide fluctuations in environmental conditions also occur frequently in coastal ecosystems. These factors influence all aspects of the biology of coastal organisms, from their molecular biology and genetics to the growth and survival of their populations. Students will have the opportunity to conduct independent research on a range of subjects related to coastal ecosystems.The overall goal of the program is to enhance the training and career development of early stage (rising Sophomores/Juniors) undergraduates who have not had significant research experience by engaging them in research related to the coastal ocean environment. Students will be recruited nationwide and from a variety of urban universities, including Edward Waters College (EWC). They will be paired with biologists from UNF or the collaborating institution Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve to conduct mentored research projects on major threats to coastal biological resources in North Florida. Students will develop short research proposals on their project which will be presented to faculty mentors and other REU participants in an oral format. In the final week, students will present the results of their studies in a poster session that is open to the UNF community. Students will also be encouraged to present their research findings at professional conferences and/or in manuscripts submitted to professional journals. Additional career guidance on topics such as designing research posters, scientific writing, finding and applying to graduate schools, and presenting scientific information to a public audience will be provided in workshops. Students will attend regular research seminars by UNF faculty, graduate students and scientists from other institutions.