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NSF/REU

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The 2020 REU Program will run May 25 through July 31. The application deadline is February 14, 2020. 

Funded by the National Science Foundation - Division of Ocean Sciences Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the focus of the DISL REU Program is to provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor as part of a productive research laboratory. 

Any rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduates with interests in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, or physical and environmental sciences can apply to this REU Program. 

For more information, please contact DISL Registrar Regina Kollegger. 

Planning ahead? In 2021, the DISL REU Program will run May 24 through July 30 with applications due on February 12, 2021.

Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences located in Alexandria, VA. NSF Award 1838618. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.

How to Apply

Eligibility:

Applications are invited from undergraduates rising to their sophomore, junior, or senior years with broad interests in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, and physical and environmental sciences. Students cannot have graduated at the time of the fellowship. Students who have participated in an NSF OCE-funded REU program are not eligible for a second internship without special permission (please contact DISL before applying). Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions.
 
Minorities, veterans, non-traditional students, and those from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 
 
Stipends of $5,000 will be provided for the 10-week full-time program. Students will be provided on-campus housing and an additional food stipend by DISL. Students from outside the Mobile, Alabama area may also apply for travel assistance (up to $500.00).
 
Application Procedures

  • Complete the online application 
  • Submit college transcripts (can be unofficial and uploaded online),
  • Two letters of recommendation (Please request letters at least two weeks prior to the application deadline and remind reviewers of the deadline).

Incomplete packages may not be considered. 
 
For further information, please contact the University Programs Registrar Regina Kollegger, (251) 861-2141, ext. 7526.
 
The DISL REU Program is funded by:
 
The National Science Foundation - Division of Ocean Sciences Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Apply Online

2019 REU Participants

  REU Name/College DISL Faculty Mentor Research Project
Elijah Tripp/ University of Mobile Kelly Dorgan Infaunal Behavior Variance Observed in Normoxia and Hypoxia
Ryan Roseburrough/ Spring Hill Collge, Alabama Shaun Wang Leaking Heavy Metals: The Spread of Chromium Through the Mobile Bay and River
Lauren Alvaro/ Florida Gulf Coast University John Lehrter Spatial Patterns of Organic Matter Stocks and Sources in Mobile Bay
Terrance Mitchell/ Tuskegee University, Alabama Alison Robertson Behavioral Effects of Ciguatoxins in Gulf Killifish
Ciara Laurence/ University of Maine Brian Dzwonkowski Are Alabama Upwellings Broken? A Comparison of Burger Number and Velocity Structure
Sharil Deleon/ University of Rhode Island Ron Baker, Jeff Krause Variability in Microphytobenthos Biomass and Carbon Stable Isotope Values in Northern Gulf of Mexico Salt Marsh Systems
Ryanne Murray/ Eckerd College, Florida Alissa Deming Dead or Alive: Elemental Analysis of Stranded Bottlenose Dolphins
Emily Combs/ Florida Atlantic University Lee Smee Wake Up and Smell the Crabs! Comparison of Seed Oysters Versus Spat on Shell

2017 REU Participants

  REU Name/College DISL Faculty Mentor Research Project
Rachel Pugh/ Miss. Gulf Coast Community College Kelly Dorgan
Bill Walton		 Polydora websteri Blisters in Crassotrea virginica: Strength, Area, Color
Jenny Rhee/ University of La., Lafayette Brian Dzwonkowski
Jeff Krause		 Nutrient flux and physical stability drive phytoplankton biomass variability along the Alabama shelf
Marnie Tabor/ Athens State University, AL Jeff Krause
Just Cebrian		 The Contribution of Epiphytic and Sediment Diatoms to Benthic Productivity
Hanae Togami/ Haverford College, PA Ruth Carmichael Chilean mussels reconstruct environmental conditions during two coral die-off events
Harrison Watson/ Jackson State University, MS Bill Walton Observing Polydora websteri Infestation in Crassostrea virginica: Methods in Oyster Farm Planning

Faculty Mentors

Baker, Ronnie, Ph.D. (James Cook Univ., Australia) Dr. Baker's research focuses on the functional roles of coastal ecosystems in support of fisheries, particularly their role as nurseries for fishery species. Research opportunities include field and laboratory based studies of coastal food webs, with a focus on the diets of early juveniles of fishery species. rbaker@disl.org

Carmichael, Ruth, Ph.D. (Boston Univ., 2004). Research focuses on how human activities and pollution affect animals (oysters, horseshoe crabs, dolphins and manatees) and their habitats, using traditional ecological, elemental and telemetry methods to understand responses to change, from physiology to growth and survival or movement patterns. Carmichael is Director of the DISL Manatee Sighting Network and the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Students in her laboratory can opt to work with a marine mammal veterinarian (Dr. Alissa Deming; DVM 2012, PhD 2018, Univ of FL) to conduct additional studies related to disease and causes of mortality in marine animals. rcarmichael@disl.org

Dorgan, Kelly, Ph.D. (Univ. of Maine, 2007). Dr. Dorgan is an ecologist whose research focuses on interactions between infaunal organisms and marine sediments. She is interested in the mechanics of worm burrowing as well as the impacts of worms on sediment structure and biogeochemical cycling. Current projects in the lab include how infauna affect the acoustic and geotechnical properties of sediments, how daily changes in oxygen affect animal behaviors and biogeochemical cycling, interactions between fauna and physical properties of sediments following a disturbance such as a major storm, and the roles of meiofaunal organisms in sediment ecosystems. kdorgan@disl.org

Dzwonkowski, Brian, Ph.D. (Univ. of Delaware 2009). Research interests lie in coastal physical oceanography (things related to the structure and flow of water (currents, tides, stratification) and how physical processes impact biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem function.  bdzwonkowski@disl.org

Hoadley, Kenneth D. Ph.D. (Univ. of Delaware, 2016). The transfer of energy and complex responses to climate perturbations within unique symbioses such as that between the dinoflagellate taxa (Symbiodiniaceae) and reef corals are of particular interest within the lab. Dr. Hoadley’s lab uses a combination of physiological measurements and molecular techniques to identify acclamatory and/or stress mitigating techniques employed by various phytoplankton species in response to environmental stress. khoadley@disl.org

Krause, Jeffrey, Ph.D. (Oregon St. Univ., 2008). Research focuses on how phytoplankton (marine single-cell plants), especially diatoms, cycle energy and elements in the ocean, and the processes promoting the efficient transfer of their material to higher organisms (e.g. primary and secondary consumers). jkrause@disl.edu  

Lehrter, John, Ph.D. (Univ. of Alabama, 2003). Research focuses on understanding nutrient, organic matter, and oxygen cycling in coastal systems and how these cycles are related to aspects of water quality (eutrophication, hypoxia, coastal acidification). Research includes use of remotely sensed data and numerical modeling to aid coastal management.  jlehrter@disl.org

Powers, Sean, Ph.D. (Texas A&M, 1997).  Research focuses on the ecology of marine fish and invertebrates, particularly those that support commercial and recreational fisheries.  The ultimate goal of his research program is to provide scientifically sound information to direct conservation and restoration efforts of marine fisheries and habitats.  spowers@disl.org

Robertson, Alison, Ph.D. (James Cook Univ., Australia, 2005).  Research focuses on toxicity and health impacts of natural toxins and human pollutants in marine and freshwater systems, particularly sub-lethal effects on behavior, reproduction, immune system, and nervous system function.  arobertson@disl.org

Smee, Lee, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006) Research focuses on chemical signaling between predators and prey communities, including work related to oyster reef ecology, mangrove encroachment, pesticide effects on blue crabs, and biogeography of seagrass communities in the Gulf of Mexico.  lsmee@disl.org

Walton, William, Ph.D. (Univ. of Maryland, 2003). Marine invertebrate fisheries, restoration and aquaculture. billwalton@auburn.edu

Wang, Xiangli (Shaun) Ph.D. (Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013). Research focuses on geochemical processes and using biogeochemical tracers to understand seawater chemistry and pollution in marine environments, including techniques in isotope geochemistry, trace metals, and redox proxy.  xwang@disl.org

How it Works

The focus of the DISL REU Program is to provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor. This program provides participants with specific skills, background knowledge, and confidence for success in the workforce or higher education in the future.  
 
While carrying out their research, REU students will acquire basic research skills, learn analytical techniques, and proficiency in data display, and presentation. REU participants will benefit from a series of workshops on professional skills and attend lectures by outstanding visiting speakers. Participants may earn up to 8 academic credits for the experience with prior approval from their home campus.
 
Past research topics included the ecology and early life history of marine and estuarine fishes, plant-animal interactions, marine microbial ecology, estuarine nutrient biogeochemistry, benthic ecology, trophic interactions and carbon budgets in marine ecosystems, life history and biomechanics of marine invertebrates, toxicology, marine mammal ecology, biomedicine, , and phytoplankton and zooplankton ecology.
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