Check out these blog posts from REUs that worked on agroecology and algal ecology research at KBS!

KBS faculty, post-docs, and graduate students are passionate about  involving undergraduates in their research. REU positions give students an opportunity to conduct full-time research under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

This program is 11 weeks long and will run from May 23-August 5, 2016 (students are expected to arrive on-site by 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22nd and depart Saturday, August 6th).

REUs will work with their mentor to create and maintain a fully annoted dataset, collaborate to write a research proposal, present a professional research poster at the KBS Summer Undergraduate Symposium, and write a blog post about their research experience.

Check out our Summer 2015 Undergraduate Symposium Program to see the projects students presented on last summer!

Compensation:

• $5000 stipend plus FREE room and board
• Up to $500 to cover transportation to and from KBS
• Up to $400 for research expenses

What are the benefits of an REU at KBS?

• Join a dynamic group of students and faculty for an authentic field research experience
• Learn the process of research: reading the literature, formulating questions and hypotheses, designing a study, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting the results as a research poster
• Explore if a career in research is a good choice for you
• Build references for your application to graduate school or other programs
• Participate in professional development seminars tailored to help undergraduate students be successful in STEM disciplines

Summer 2016 Project Descriptions

A muddy matter: Nutrient and carbon cycling in mucky sediments in wetlands and other shallow freshwater ecosystems 
Mentors: Dustin Kincaid (PhD Candidate) & Dr. Steve Hamilton (KBS Faculty)

Detecting the spatial variation of soil nitrification and denitrification: a multi-scale approach 
Mentors: Di Liang (Graduate Student) & Dr. G. Philip Robertson (KBS Faculty)

From molecules to climate change: Nitrogen and carbon cycling at the ecosystem scale 
Mentors: Bonnie McGill (PhD candidate) & Dr. Steve Hamilton (KBS Faculty)

Are Michigan soils protecting waterways from phosphorus pollution? 
Mentors: Bonnie McGill (PhD candidate) & Dr. Steve Hamilton (KBS Faculty)

Eco-evolutionary responses of phytoplankton to global change 
Mentors: Danny O’Donnell (PhD Candidate) & Dr. Elena Litchman (KBS Faculty)

The role of agricultural advisors in farm nitrogen decisions 
Mentors: Dr. Adam Reimer (Postdoctoral Research Associate) & Dr. G. Phillip Robertson (KBS Faculty)

Pulling food out of thin air: The importance of nitrogen fixation in prairie grasses 
Mentors: Dr. Sarah Roley (Postdoctoral Research Associate) & Dr. G. Phillip Robertson (KBS Faculty)

Building a better monoculture – how does diversity within species affect yield and ecosystem services? 
Mentors: Dr. Karen Stahlheber (Postdoctoral Research Associate) & Dr. Katherine Gross (KBS Faculty & Director)

The role of soil microbes in restoration of diverse prairies 
Mentor: Dr. Emily Grman (Faculty, Eastern Michigan University)

The ecological and eco-evolutionary dynamics of aquatic metacommunities 
Mentors: Dr. Chris Steiner (Faculty, Wayne State University) & Mitra Asgari (PhD Candidate, Wayne State University)

***For Summer 2016 KBS is excited to partner with the Ecological Society of America (ESA) SEEDS program to offer two KBS REU positions through the                                                                   ESA SEEDS SPUR Fellowship Program.  The following two (2) positions must be applied for directly through ESA SEEDS by using the link in the logo below.

Nitrogen in the environment and critical climate change impact 
Mentors: Kate Glanville (Graduate Student) and Dr. G. Phillip Robertson (KBS Faculty)

Will work for fertilizer: Plant roots trade food to soil bacteria for fertilizer 
Mentors: Dr. William West (Postdoctoral Research Associate) & Dr. Sarah Evans (KBS Faculty)

How do you apply?

Applications for 2016 REU positions will be open December 15th - February 15th!

What will you need?

• Ability to participate the entire duration of the program
• A PDF of your current resume
• A PDF of your transcripts (unofficial is fine)
• Contact information for at least one reference
• A well-written statement of interest that highlights how this experience will enhance your learning and career goals

We encourage applications from from underrepresented groups in the sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen with undergraduate status to participate in the KBS REU Program.

If you have questions about the program or application process, please email [email protected].