Research Opportunities
PAID SUMMER RESEARCH INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
in Entomology, Plant Science, Animal Science, Crop Physiology/Pathology, Microbiology
A University of Arkansas (UA) – UTRGV partnership is looking to recruit 6-8 undergraduate students for a paid research and extension experience summer externship with the Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas. This internship is funded by a USDA- Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) on “Strengthening national security through capacity building and private-university-government partnerships in food and agricultural sciences”
When: Monday, May 22 - Friday July 28, 2023
Where: Fayetteville, Arkansas on the University of Arkansas campus.
Requirements:
- Undergraduate student enrolled at UTRGV: biology, chemistry, environmental science focus
- Completed at least 1 years of classes, graduating no earlier than December 2023.
You will:
- Spend 8 weeks in a research lab at University of Arkansas (see below)
- Do a short-term research project, to be completed by the end of the externship.
- Follow the REU Summer Session guidelines from UA.
- Be paid $4,000, airfare from McAllen to Arkansas, lodging, and meals as per UA guidelines.
How to apply: Submit to Drs. Rupesh Kariyat (rkariyat@uark.edu) and Bradley Christoffersen (Bradley.christoffersen@utrgv.edu) the following:
- 1-page letter: State your career goals, lab of interest (see below), and how doing research would help you achieve your goals.
- current CV + unofficial transcripts
Deadline to Apply: Priority given to applicants by April 24, 2023, but will consider until spots filled
You will do research in one of the below University of Arkansas labs:
https://enpl.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/emcdermo/name/Emily+McDermott/
https://enpl.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/jkud/name/Joanna+Kud/
https://enpl.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/nkjoshi/name/Neelendra+Joshi/
https://poultry-science.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/aakhalaf/name/Adnan+Ali+Khalaf+Alrubaye/
https://enpl.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/rkariyat/name/Rupesh+Kariyat/
https://food-science.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/toobe/name/Tomi+Obe/
https://horticulture.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/wendellh/name/Wendell+Joseph+Hutchens/
https://human-environmental-sciences.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/nj034/name/Nick+E.+Johnston/
El-Sherif Lab: Two Fully-Funded Masters Positions (in Biology/Biochemistry), and One Fully-Funded PhD position in Multidisciplinary Math Program
El-Sherif lab is recruiting two Master students (in the Biology Program) and 1 PhD student (in multi-disciplinary Math Program) starting Fall 2023 (covering both salary and tuition).
In El-Sherif lab:
- We study how genes interact with each other to guide embryonic development.
- We use the early embryos of the flour beetle (Tribolium) and the fruit fly (Drosophila) as models for what happens in any animal embryo.
- We use microscopy to visualize the activities of genes involved in embryonic development in both fixed (i.e. dead and preserved) and live embryos. We seek to make sense of our experimental observations using computer models.
- We gain more insights into how genes regulate each other by knocking-down specific genes (using RNAi) and see the effect on other genes.
Why join El-Sherif lab?
- El-Sherif lab has extensive experience in doing high-quality research. It has been running for 7 years in Germany, and recently moved to the Department of Biology at UTRGV.
- Many (bachelor, Master and PhD) students successfully graduated from the lab (in Germany before moving to UTRGV). Several of them got very good jobs after their graduation: check out lab alumni here: https://www.elsherif-lab.com/team
- Several students (both at the Master and PhD levels) had their own publications in prestigious journals from their work in the lab. Check out lab’s publications here: https://www.elsherif-lab.com/publications
- El-Sherif lab uses diverse experimental techniques: Genetics, Genomics, Imaging, Molecular, and Computer Modeling. Hence, students graduating from the lab develop diverse skillset, and so become competent in the job market.
- Students working in this field gain experience very relevant to health and computational biology careers.
If interested, contact Dr. Ezzat El-Sherif:
Ezzat El-Sherif
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Office: ESCNE 1.328; Lab: ESCNE 4.514; Tel. (956) 665-7001
Lab Webpage: https://www.elsherif-lab.com/
Google Scholar page: click here
Mustard and Cabo Labs
MS Research Assistantship - Pollinators and Floral Resources of Thornforest - South Texas
We are inviting applications for a graduate position (MS) to participate in characterizing the plants utilized by pollinator communities in Tamaulipan thornscrub. The appointment is to begin August 2023, a summer 2023 start is also possible.
The Tamaulipan thornscrub is a threatened and heavily fragmented habitat in south Texas and northeastern Mexico. Important restoration efforts for the last three decades have centered on reforestation with species and proportions decided according to the specific location to be reforested, but without consideration of the recovery and health of the local pollinator assemblages. This in part is due to a lack of information regarding the use of plants in the thornscrub by pollinators. Information on pollinator preferences and the nutritional value of floral resources would allow for a selection of species for reforestation that also take into account the needs of pollinators. Opportunities exist for also participating in research activities in on-going thornforest and estuarine restoration or studies looking at plant-pollinator interactions.
Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology or a related field. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently. Prior experience in native plant communities, plant biology, and/or insect ecology is preferred but not required. The project will include conducting fieldwork, occasionally under hot weather conditions. A current, valid U.S. driver's license and good driving record is also preferred. The successful applicant will be expected to enroll full time in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Biology MS program (https://www.utrgv.edu/biology/academics/graduate/index.htm) pursuing the thesis option. The position has a tuition scholarship covering four consecutive regular semesters in addition to a stipend of $15,000 per year.
Interested applicants should send to Dr. Fierro Cabo (alejandro.fierrocabo@utrgv.edu) or Dr. Julie Mustard (julie.mustard@utrgv.edu) a copy of their CV or resume, GPA (minimum 3.0) and GRE scores (not required for admission, but send them if available), transcripts (can be unofficial), a written statement of graduate research interests, and contact information for two references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.