Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Research Opportunities for Undergraduates (also check http://eeb.uconn.edu/faculty/)

Robert Bagchi: We research how interactions between organisms (e.g. plants and their herbivores) shape communities and how those interactions might be affected by human disturbance. We work in both temperate and tropical forests. My lab has opportunities for paid/unpaid internships in the summer, primarily looking at how interactions between plants, caterpillars and birds are modified in forest fragments around Connecticut. Interns will develop such skills as identification of plants, insects and birds, forest surveys, rearing of caterpillars, macrophotography and data analysis. If you are interested in tropical positions (in India and Malaysia), please get in contact with me at the beginning of the Fall semester to discuss opportunities for the summer.

Andrew Bush: We study the history of life using fossils, with a focus on biodiversity change and mass extinctions in marine invertebrates. Contact me to discuss possible projects.

Pamela Diggle: We study “eco-evo-devo”, the intersection of development, ecology, and evolution of plants. Current projects include developmental responses of arctic plants to climate change and developmental diversification of flowers and fruits. Approaches range from field and greenhouse experiments, to various microscopy techniques.

Chris Elphick: The Elphick lab has various research opportunities for undergraduates. Most positions are unpaid, but allow students to get involved with existing projects within the lab for credit. Each year, we admit 1-2 honors students, who are encouraged to develop independent research, usually (but not always) linked to existing lab projects. Each year we also hire a few paid technicians, usually over the summer; these positions are competitive, however, and typically require prior experience with bird identification or other field skills.

Bernard Goffinet: We study the evolution and systematics of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). Past undergrads have done projects addressing a variety of questions and using the following approaches: DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing, flow cytometry, analysis of morphological differentiation following genome duplication, sterile cultures techniques for moss propagation. All undergraduates are unpaid to begin with, and if progress is satisfactory, and if funds are available they may be paid, and we would also apply for additional funds.

Elizabeth Jockush: Phenotypic evolution in arthropods, salamanders and skinks, using techniques ranging from field sampling to RNA interference to DNA sequencing. Watch for notices and emails when opportunities arise! Louise Lewis: We study the evolution and diversity of microscopic algae in aquatic and desert habitats, and of symbiotic algae. Past undergraduate researchers in my lab have gained knowledge of DNA sequencing and analysis, light and fluorescence microscopy, and algal culturing. Some students are guided in grant writing to fund their research, participate as authors on scientific papers or write an Honors thesis. Most students start work in the lab through independent study or volunteering. Paid positions are available at times. No openings at present, but I will look for someone next year. Watch for my email or contact me to discuss possible projects.

Paul Lewis: My lab develops statistical methods for estimating phylogenies (genealogies relating species and higher groups to one another) and quantities related to phylogenies (such as the phylogenetic information content of DNA sequences). If you are looking to find ways of applying your interest in mathematics to biology, statistical phylogenetics may be just what you are looking for. Some background in both math and computer programming is helpful, but please inquire if in doubt - the main ingredient is interest and motivation.

Clint Morse: EEB Greenhouses offer volunteer opportunities to work with diverse plant collections. Advanced volunteers help lead general biodiversity tours to outside groups (K-12, seniors, garden clubs). Paid student positions (limited) caring for collection are often recruited from existing volunteer pool.

Margaret Rubega: We study a diverse array of birds, across a variety of habitats; all our work is unified by an interest in answering the questions How Does That Work? and How Does it Matter? We approach questions in avian conservation, ecology and evolution mechanistically, integrating tools from functional morphology, biomechanics, physiology, and animal behavior as necessary to produce explanations for why birds look, live and act as they do. We are especially interested in feeding in birds --- the morphology, the mechanics, the food -- because a bird that isn't fed is a bird that's dead. Where ever possible, we aim to contribute to avian conservation by identifying, explicitly and quantitatively, the mechanical limits to the ability of birds to adjust to environmental change. We are interested in working with students who want to understand birds from a mechanistic perspective; if you think you might be interested in avian anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and how they result in behavior of individual animals in the field, you might be one of us! We like working with students who are genuinely interested in birds, and genuinely excited by our approach and tools (see http://rubegalab.uconn.edu/for- undergraduates/ for current opportunities). We expect and support independent thinking in undergraduate researchers; we look for progressive self-management as a sign of success. Eric Schultz: We study the ecology and evolution of freshwater and marine fishes. We are always interested in honors students who are looking for a lab to work in for a thesis project. We are also frequently looking for students who are not planning on a thesis project but would like to enroll in independent study. We announce these opportunities in EEB classes but if fish are your thing just contact me.

Morgan Tingley: The Tingley lab seeks to understand the factors that determine the distributions of species and how these distributions change over time with a changing environment. We focus primarily on birds living in montane regions around the world. I am not currently looking for paid opportunities but I am always open to Honors students and others looking for lab experience.

Steve Trumbo: At the Waterbury campus I offer research in burying beetle behavior and ecology. Our recent focus has been on beetle interactions with the microbial community on a small vertebrate carcass. Most typically, students are earning credit as independent study students.

Mark Urban: The Urban lab evaluates how ecology and evolution interact at scales ranging from local habitats to the globe and involving organisms ranging from microcrustaceans in jars to amphibians in local ponds to fish in Arctic lakes. We host a combination of paid/unpaid research opportunities.

David Wagner: Members of my lab are generally interested in the biosystematics and conservation of insects and terrestrial arthropods. Recent projects relating to invertebrate conservation have examined the importance of early successional habitats to invertebrates, pollinator decline, invasive species impacts, and climate change threats. The lab normally has 1- 3 paid part-time opportunities for undergrads during the school year, and full-time positions over the summer. Most undergrads start on a part-time volunteer basis. Hiring preference, especially for full-time summer employment, is dependent on previous experience and relevant coursework. Unpaid honors and independent study opportunities are available for 1-2 students a semester. Contact me directly or consider attending our informal lab meetings on Mondays in TLS Room 313 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM to find out more about what we do. (Lab meetings are undergrad friendly--three undergrads are attending this semester.)

Jill Wegrzyn: The Wegrzyn lab is focused on developing software and database solutions to host, integrate, and analyze genotype, phenotype, and environmental data for forest trees. We use next generation sequencing and genotyping methods in combination with phenotype and environmental data to answer questions related to the effects of climate change, reforestation efforts, and invasive pathogens on forest tree populations. We offer both paid and volunteer undergraduate research opportunities to participate in these projects. Yaowu Yuan: The Yuan lab studies the genetics, development, and evolution of flower diversity –– how and why flowers become so beautiful and diverse. We use a wide range of techniques to address these questions, from greenhouse crosses to gene expression analyses, from computational analysis of genome data to transgenic manipulations, and from microscopy to pollinator observations. Typically undergraduates work with us as independent study students.