REU Site: Marine Biodiversity: lessons from molecules, development and behavior

该REU站点奖授予佛罗里达州圣奥古斯丁的佛罗里达大学惠特尼海洋生物科学实验室，将在2016-2020年夏季为8名学生提供为期10周的研究培训。该计划为本科生提供了一个现实的研究经验，这将激发学生对科学的兴趣，并激励他们考虑从事基础研究事业。通过与导师的个性化互动，学生可以进行全职的实验室或实地研究。强调在课程过程中增加独立性。研究项目通常使用海洋模型来增强学生对进化和物种生物多样性背景下生物学基本机制的理解。在导游的带领下，实地考察当地的海洋河口、内陆淡水泉和墨西哥湾沿岸，介绍各种生态系统。每周的研究研讨会和讲习班提供有关负责任的研究行为、专业沟通技巧、科学素养和科学相关领域的各种职业道路的培训。学生与佛罗里达大学的研究生协调员会面，了解研究生院的申请过程。在全国范围内通过数字和传单广告、会议和机构旅行来招募学生。学生是根据学习成绩和研究潜力来选择的。特别关注来自目前在科学中代表性不足的群体和有证据表明REU经验对其影响最大的群体的申请人。预计总共将有40名学生，主要来自研究机会有限的学校，将接受该项目的培训。学生将学习如何进行研究，许多人将在科学会议上展示他们的工作成果，并接受高级STEM培训。由生物基础设施司（生物科学理事会）资助的所有REU项目使用的基于网络的评估工具将确定培训计划的有效性。学生在项目结束后会被跟踪，以确定他们对科学的持续兴趣和他们的职业道路。学生将被要求回复通过NSF报告系统自动发送的电子邮件。更多信息请访问http:// http://www.whitney.ufl.edu/academic/undergrad-reu/。或者，联系PI Elaine Seaver博士（seaver@whitney.ufl.edu）或Whitney教育协调员Brenda Cannaliato （Brenda@whitney.ufl.edu）。

This REU Site award to the University of Florida's Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience in St. Augustine, FL will provide research training for 8 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2016-2020. The program provides undergraduates with a realistic research experience that will inspire student interest in science and motivate their consideration of a basic research career. Through individualized interactions with mentors, students perform full-time lab or field research. Increased independence over the course of the program is emphasized. Research projects typically use marine models to enhance student understanding of basic mechanisms in biology in the context of evolution and species biodiversity. Guided field trips to local marine estuaries, inland fresh water springs, and the Gulf coast introduce varied ecosystems. Weekly research seminars and workshops provide training on the responsible conduct of research, professional communication skills, science literacy, and diverse career paths in science related fields. Students meet with graduate coordinators at the University of Florida to learn the graduate school application process. Students are recruited nationwide through digital and flyer-based advertising, at conferences, and trips to institutions. Students are selected based on academic record and research potential. Special attention is given to applicants from groups currently underrepresented in the sciences and groups for whom evidence suggests the REU experience has the greatest impact. It is anticipated that a total of 40 students, primarily from schools with limited research opportunities, will be trained in the program. Students will learn how research is conducted, and many will present the results of their work at scientific conferences and pursue advanced STEM training.A web-based assessment tool used by all REU programs funded by the Division of Biological Infrastructure (Directorate for Biological Sciences) will determine the effectiveness of the training program. Students are tracked after the program to determine their continued interest in science and their career paths. Students will be asked to respond to an automatic email sent via the NSF reporting system. More information is available by visiting http:// http://www.whitney.ufl.edu/academic/undergrad-reu/. Alternatively, contact the PI Dr. Elaine Seaver (seaver@whitney.ufl.edu) or the Whitney Education Coordinator, Brenda Cannaliato (Brenda@whitney.ufl.edu).