Written by: Jess Van Vaerenbergh, ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏCMS graduate student
Whether participating in a research cruise around Tampa Bay or learning how to effectively communicate scientific research, eleven students gained valuable experiences and skills this summer during the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.
Over the past 10 weeks, these undergraduate students from around the country spent their summer as scholars in St. Petersburg.
Funded by the , the REU program offers undergraduates hands-on experience in research and the opportunity to develop new skills relevant to their career goals.
The scholars joined Ana Arellano, assistant professor of instruction at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏCollege of Marine Science (CMS), and Jennifer Collins, professor at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏSchool of Geosciences, as part of the Making Waves REU cohort hosted by CMS.
The students were immersed in various interdisciplinary ocean research and science communication experiences. They had the opportunity to work with experts from around CMS and to develop research projects and collect their own data.
Along with their paired faculty mentor from CMS and the , the students participated in experiential activities, such as workshops and field trips with ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏSchool of Geosciences and the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication.
Science mentors include:
- Brad Rosenheim
- Pamela Hallock Muller
- Frank Muller-Karger
- Mark Luther
- , ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏHealth Morsani College of Medicine
Science Communication Mentors:
On Wednesday, July 24th, the Making Waves REU scholars presented their research at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏSt. Petersburg Undergraduate Research Symposium at the .
The Making Waves scholars were joined by other REU program participants at ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏSt. Petersburg and interns from the , , and .
After a keynote speech by Frank Müller-Karger, a Distinguished University Professor at CMS, the scholars interacted with the public for a few hours, answering questions and sharing their experiences.
Making Waves REU participants include:
- Xiomara Cruz De León
- Yanori Ferguson
- Alyssa Fischer
- Noya Hudkins
- Ian Kahn
- Lillani Robinson
- Zayna Sampson
- Darrah Shannon
- Juleika Vega
- Saneru Williams
- Xavier Willis
REU scholar Yanori Ferguson educates attendees about her research on microbes in the gut of sea squirts. Photo Credit: Jess Van Vaerenbergh