The following e-mail message was sent to all current Biology majors on 24 January 2005:

Hello majors,

I've been getting lots of e-mails about summer internships and other programs. The following is a summary of the information I receive. If you are interested in one of the opportunities, let me know and I can forward the original message to you.

From a researcher in Psychology...
We are looking for pre-med undergrads to participate in a very important research study . After the events of September 11, 2001, we started a longitudinal study of emergency workers and the mechanisms by which they develop resilience. Now, we are extending our project to evaluate resilience in health professionals, and we would like you to complete a few very short questionnaires.
It should not take more than 45 minutes and you can complete them at your convenience online. Each participant who completes the surveys will be automatically enrolled in a lottery for several compensatory gifts. If you are interested, please send us an email at aldao@sas.upenn.edu and we will send you the link to the surveys, a username and password, and directions for completing the study. The information collected will be kept strictly anonymous and in no way will your username and/or password be linked to your email address.

Summer internships...
The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research in Wynnewood PA offers summer internships from June 6 - July 29. Areas of research can be selected from the list of research programs on the Institute's web site but include developmental biology, the biology of aging, molecular carcinogenesis and cardiovascular disease. Interns are paid $2,240 for the 8 week program. Interested students should submit a cover letter describing their career goals, a resume that includes appropriate course and lab work, a transcript and one letter of recommendation. Applications should be sent to:

Janet Sawicki, Ph.D.
Summer Internship Program
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
100 Lancaster Avenue
Wynnewood PA 19096
FAX: 610-645-2205
no later than February 18, 2005. Visit their web site http://www.limr.org for more information.

The Division of Medical Genetics of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Medicine invites applications for their Summer Research Program for undergraduates. The ten week program offers training in basic laboratory research related to gene therapy of genetic diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, and cancer. The stipend for the program is $3,500 and is intended for students in their sophomore or junior year. Additional information and applications are available at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/penngen/education/05summer.html The application deadline is February 28.

In the January 11th newsletter, I mentioned NSF funded Research Experience for Undergraduates. Here's one in botany...
Mountain Lake Biological Station, University of Virginia offers the opportunity to work on a project of your design with a visiting scientist for 10 weeks. The stipend is $3,500 and room and board expenses are paid by the program. The application deadline is March 1 - visit their web site at http://mlbs.org for more information. The station also offers courses in ecology of plants and animals (including entomology and freshwater fishes). Financial aid is available.

here's an REU in watershed studies...
The College of William and Mary offers a program in interdisciplinary watershed studies. The 10 week program runs May 31 - August 6. Projects include aspects of biology, geology, chemistry, economics and sociology. More information is available at http://www.wm.edu/environment/REU/Reu_Home.html and applications are due March 1.

and here's one in marine studies...
The Darling Marine Center of the University of Maine offers REU fellowships for students conducting research on marine ecosystems, development of marine invertebrates, biogeochemistry and many other areas. Interns participate in training sessions and biweekly seminars in addition to their research. Programs run for up to 11 weeks and stipends range from $2600-$3820. Applications are available on their web site at http://www.dmc.maine.edu and the deadline is February 15.

Are you interested in a career in teaching?
The Career Services is collecting resumes for independent schools now through Monday, January 31st. Schools are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and the New England area. Certification is not required for independent school teaching. Contact Ruth Shoemaker in the Office of Career Services for more information.

The Southern Teachers Agency is holding a Job Fair on March 5 in Charlottesville VA. The deadline to register is February 15, visit http://www.SouthernTeachers.com for details.

Conferences and Meetings:
Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference will be held March 18-20 at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA. The meeting is organized by graduate students and post-docs and is open to all aspects of ecology and evolution. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Peter Kareiva, lead scientist for the Nature Conservancy. Abstracts and early registration must be submitted by February 4th but registration will continue until March 4th. For more information visit the conference website at http://www.ecology.psu.edu/neec.

Northwestern University Conference on Human Rights: US Policy toward HIV/AIDS in the developing world will be held April 28-30. Speakers include Dr. Bernard Kouchner, co-founder of Doctors Without Borders, and Ambassador Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy to HIV/AIDS in Africa. Northwestern offers a travel stipend and room and board for students. Contact Ben Snyder, External Relations Chair at Northwestern ( ben-snyder@northwestern.edu ) for more information.

Last, but not least...
The Department of Defense Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship program offers full tuition, fees, a book allowance, room and board, and other related expenses to rising juniors and seniors in biosciences and other science, math or engineering majors. Applications must be received by March 4. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must be US citizens. You can apply online at http://www.asee.org

Good luck to all who apply for the many programs and opportunities listed. I'm sure there will be more to come...
Robin

Robin Sherwood
Undergraduate Coordinator
Dept. of Biology