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

该奖项为位于佛罗里达州杰克逊维尔的北佛罗里达大学（UNF）的本科生研究体验（REU）现场项目提供了新的资金。每年夏天将有10名本科生参加为期10周的课程，为期三年。该计划的主题是海岸生物学，特别是对北佛罗里达海岸生物资源的威胁，由UNF生物系主办。沿海生态系统是地球上生物生产力最高的地区之一，但也是受人类活动影响最大的地区之一。在沿海生态系统中，环境条件也经常出现大幅度波动。这些因素影响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参与与沿海海洋环境相关的研究，加强对没有重要研究经验的早期（即将升入大二/大三）本科生的培训和职业发展。学生将在全国范围内招募，并从包括爱德华沃特斯学院（EWC）在内的多所城市大学招募。他们将与联合国基金会或合作机构瓜纳托洛马托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研究项目。学生将对他们的项目提出简短的研究建议，并以口头形式提交给教师导师和其他REU参与者。在最后一周，学生们将展示他们的研究成果的海报会议，是开放给UNF社区。学生也将被鼓励在专业会议上展示他们的研究成果和/或提交给专业期刊的手稿。讲习班将提供关于诸如设计研究海报、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其他职业指导。学生将参加由联合国大学教师、研究生和其他机构的科学家举办的定期研究研讨会。

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.