REU: Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia
Opportunity Description:
What do sustainable and resilient ecosystems look like after a long period of dramatic disturbance and deconstruction, and what are the best approaches to restoration for ensuring a highly functioning alternative state? During the summer program, students conduct research with faculty and professional mentors focussed on anthropogenic disturbance, while immersed in the landscape of Appalachia. Students live on campus at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY, and spend large parts of the summer at the Lilley Cornett Woods old-growth forest ecosystem, and at other field sites in the region.
The stipend is $6,000 for a 10-week session, a partial food stipend ($50/wk), housing, travel to the program (one round trip, up to $500), regional travel associated with research, and an allowance for research supplies.
Primary Responsibilities:
Students participate in group activities and conduct research for 40 hours per week, but the actual hours will vary between weeks depending on the project needs. Students attend a weekly workshop and travel throughout Kentucky, sometimes staying in primitive conditions or camping.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
The EKU Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia summer research program is open to current undergraduates from all institutions. Students must be currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year school. Students graduating before August 2022 will not be eligible. Participants must be US Citizens, US Nationals, or permanent residents. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the sciences, first-generation college students, students that attend colleges with limited research opportunities (small liberal arts and community colleges), financially disadvantaged students, and students with physical disabilities, and US military veterans. Participants must be able to show proof of health insurance during the project period.
Application Process:
The application period will begin in early November. After ensuring your eligibility, read the research project descriptions and select your top 3 project choices. Next, prepare your application materials. You will use the online application form that is specific to this program.
You are encouraged to prepare application materials ahead of time using a word processor, especially for the extended responses. You can then copy and paste your responses into the application form.
You must list the contact information (email and phone numbers) for 2 references. References may be contacted later in the application review process. The deadline for applications is Feb 18, 2022; earlier submissions are encouraged. All questions should be directed to bioreu@eku.edu