In the Canopy with Wheelchairs & Tardigrades

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:02:12 -0500

Title: 3D Invertebrate Herbivory and Biodiversity in Deciduous North American Forest Canopies: Inspiring Students with Physical Disabilities to Pursue Field Biology

This is a three-dimensional research project to define the taxonomy and distribution of tardigrades (water bears) in the canopy and the herbivory of insects on a North American deciduous forest.The project is a fast-paced, tree-climbing, data-collecting, rapid-analysis and results-oriented internship. It is not for the timid. The plan is to climb and collect in the cooler mornings and spend the hotter afternoons and evenings processing specimens in the labs. Weekends include visits to local cultural sites and water bear hunts.

This canopy-based REU project offers students of all abilities equal opportunity to explore and learn. Students can discover new species, new ecologies and new limits and reach new heights.

Designed for eight students, four with ambulatory disabilities and four without, this project is based on the idea that a wheelchair is not a limit to good field biology. To explore the canopy we climb ropes not trees, and in the lab we use microscopes, computers and minds, which have no limits.

The program runs from May 29 – Aug. 9, 2017

Benefits include:

A stipend of $525 per week for the 10-week project ($5,250)

An allowance for food

A shared apartment in Baker University housing

Travel costs to and from home to the project, as well as internal project travel

Suggested majors:

Biological Sciences

Environmental Science

For help with polishing your application and/or personal statement, please contact Janet McGlynn, mcglynn@umbc.edu