Thursday, May 10, 2012

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The LSU Department of Environmental Sciences seeks applications for one Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) position.  The undergraduate student will spend 8 weeks in the summer of 2012 conducting research in a chemical oceanography laboratory and in a microbiology laboratory. 

The research will include microbiological analyses of environmental samples, molecular analysis of microbes and microbial communities in response to changing environmental parameters such as exposure to Deepwater Horizon oil, analyses of pigments and nutrients in water samples collected from the Louisiana coast, field collection of samples in Port Fourchon, LA and in Grand Isle, LA, analysis of phytoplankton and zooplankton, use of remote sensing for ground-truthing data, and other topics of interest. 

The student will be expected to maintain a laboratory notebook and participate in weekly lab meetings.  At the end of the 8 weeks, the student will present his/her findings in a 30-minute presentation and in the form of a scientific manuscript. 

The student must be mature, responsible, capable of working independently, and have a strong background in biology and chemistry (2 semesters of general biology and 2 semesters of general chemistry, and a B or higher average in the 2-4 semesters). 

The student will be conducting research in the laboratories of Dr. Crystal N. Johnson (http://www.environmental.lsu.edu/johnson.shtml) and Dr. Ed Laws (http://www.environmental.lsu.edu/edlaws.shtml). 

Students will receive a stipend of up to $4,500, depending on level of expertise and successful completion of the REU program.  Successful completion of the REU program entails maintenance of laboratory notebooks, presentation of results at weekly lab meetings, substantial progress towards their projects, and the final manuscript and PowerPoint presentations. 

A moderate budget will also be provided for relocation to Baton Rouge and shared housing on the LSU campus.

The REU participant will be selected based on high school and undergraduate grade point averages (minimum 3.0), ACT scores (minimum 20), letters of recommendation from three teachers or professors, a 1,500-word essay demonstrating his/her interest in science, and formal interviews. 

Please submit the following application materials to Dr. Crystal N. Johnson (cnjohnson@lsu.edu):  1 transcript (unofficial or report cards are okay), 1 ACT score, 3 letters (in sealed envelopes or sent separately), and 1 essay.  Application deadline is May 30, 2012.

Crystal N. Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
(Energy Coast Env. Bdg, Room #2283)

Mailing address:
Crystal N. Johnson
LSU Department of Environmental Sciences
Energy Coast Env. Bdg, Room #1273
Baton Rouge, LA  70803

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