Upcoming Opportunities and Deadlines

ESA Annual Meeting Travel Awards
Applications for travel awards for students, alumni, and SEEDS Chapter advisors to attend the 2007 ESA Annual Meeting are available at http://esa.org/seeds/activities/AnnualMeetingInfo.php. The application deadline is March 12, 2007.

 

Chapter Maintenance Grants
The SEEDS Campus Ecology Chapter program offers a Maintenance Grant to support Chapters. This grant is intended to ensure that each Chapter has funds to establish itself and/or sustain its presence on campus and beyond. Chapters in good standing may submit a proposal anytime before March 1, 2007. More information and the application are available at http://www.esa.org/seeds/activities/CampusEcologyChapters/MaintenanceGrants.php.

 

SEEDS Highlights

Chris McLaughlin, 2006-07 Undergraduate Research Fellow
I am an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes otherwise known as the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. I am also a paternal child of the Hunkpapa Band of Lakota Sioux and long time descendant of McLaughlin’s from Ireland. To read more, go to: Chris.

 

 

Tony Joern, PhD, 2006-07 Undergraduate Research Fellowship Mentor
Growing up, I was always interested in science-type things, and in nature, and always enjoyed being outside poking around and finding things. I was probably lucky that I always had pretty good teachers in my small-town schools in the Midwest, and supportive parents who encouraged my scientific interests by giving me opportunities to see things. I always lived within close walking distance of woods, creeks, rivers and old fields that were well explored. A lot of camping experience reinforced the natural history angle, so my ultimate decision was probably a done deal. To read more, go to: Joern.

SEEDS Updates

New SEEDS Chapters
SEEDS would like to welcome the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao and Willamette University to the Campus Ecology Chapter network.

 

In the News

Importance of Diversity Study
A recent study by Cedric Herring of the University of Illinois in Chicago provides further evidence on the benefits of a diverse work force. Dr. Herring’s research was covered in the media by National Public Radio morning edition and in the Washington Post. Dr. Herring examined the diversity of workers and the business performance of about 250 companies and found that greater diversity correlates with better business success. The reasons for this could be that businesses whose workforce reflects the diversity of society are more responsive to their customers. Diversity among workers also brings a wide variety of ideas, perspectives, and life experiences that enrich a company. The SEEDS program has long promoted the value of a diverse ecology profession. While this example in the business community provides us with further evidence on the benefits of diversity with regards to both profit levels and overall business success we can also consider these benefits with respect to careers in ecology. The vitality of ecological research and investigations depends upon the strength and diversity of the scientists who decide the questions that are posed. The mission of SEEDS is to increase the relevance of the ecological science by encouraging those not traditionally involved in ecology to ask the questions important to their communities. Imagine what the world will be like when people from diverse areas in the United States and the world to make their voice heard in the ecology research agenda. If you have comments on this article or would like to share your vision of future ecologists, please write to seeds@esa.org.

Studies on the benefits of diversity in business:
Herring, C. (2006). Does Diversity Pay?: Racial Composition of Firms and the Business Case for Diversity. American Sociological Association Meeting, Montreal, Canada.
Madjar, N. (2005). The Contributions of Different Groups of Individuals to Employees’ Creativity. Advances in Developing Human Resources. Vol. 7. No. 2. McLeod, P. & Lobel, S. (1992). The effects of ethnic diversity on idea generation on small groups. Annual Academy of Management Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Nemeth, C. (1986). Differential contributions of majority and minority influence. Psychological Review 93: 23-32.

 

Ecology Bulletin Board

Woods Hole Sabbatical Leave and Student Off-Campus Study Opportunities
Sabbatical Leave
The Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA is seeking applicants for a guest faculty / research appointment during Fall 2007 from qualified professionals on sabbatical leave at a college or university serving under-represented groups in environmental science. The successful applicant is expected to sponsor one or two undergraduates (juniors or seniors) from his/her home institution who will enroll in the Semester in Environmental Science (SES) in Woods Hole during Fall 2007. Through joint participation in the program by both faculty and students at colleges serving under-represented groups in environmental science, the Center hopes to foster development of environmental science programs within institutions serving African-American, Hispanic, Native-American and other minority groups in science.
Semester in Environmental Science (SES)
The SES is a unique, hands on training program for undergraduates (primarily Juniors/Seniors) focused on biogeochemistry and ecosystems science. Students are taught by distinguished faculty at The Ecosystems Center who are conducting research world wide on topics ranging from land use change in urban settings to climate change in the arctic and deforestation in the Amazon. The program stresses field work in coastal forests, freshwater and salt ponds, and estuaries. Students in the SES pursue their own independent research on local ecosystems on Cape Cod during the program.
Location: Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Participation Dates: Fall 2007 Semester
Application Deadline: March 23, 2007
For more information, go to: ESA's Job Board

 

Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) Program in Costa Rica
The NAPIRE Program is designed to introduce Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students to the biodiversity of the tropics. As part of the program, students will complete a field project, including experimental design, data gathering, and analysis and presentation of results, in collaboration with fellow students and a research mentor. Students will experience the process of applying the scientific method to ecological inquiry and discovery in a collaborative and team-oriented environment. In addition to completing a research project, students will participate in lectures, seminars and field activities that focus on tropical ecology and conservation. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with indigenous groups of Central America, allowing a first-hand look at the role of native peoples in tropical forest conservation. Each student will be assigned a Research Mentor who will assist them with their independent project as well as provide support throughout the research experience.
Location: Las Cruces, Costa Rica
Participation Dates: June 4 - July 30, 2007
Application Deadline: February 28, 2007
For more information, go to: ESA's Job Board

 

Amgen Scholars: Undergraduate Summer Research Program
The University of California, San Diego Amgen Scholars Program is an eight-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates, supported by the Amgen Foundation. The objectives of the program are: to provide students with the skills to become research scholars; to stimulate students' serious consideration of graduate study; and to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing a career in science or engineering. Please note that there are 10 Amgen sites and students may apply to more than one program. The other campuses to host Amgen Scholars Programs are California Institute of Technology, Columbia University/Barnard College, Howard University, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Francisco, and University of Washington.
Location: San Diego, California
Participation Dates: June 25 - August 17, 2007
Application Deadline: February 16, 2007
For more information, go to: ESA's Job Board

 

Kansas State University Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Ecological studies in the REU Site program will examine the roles of fire, grazing and climatic variability as interacting environmental factors that shape the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic habitats in mesic grasslands. Studies in evolutionary ecology will include studies of coevolution between plants and fungal symbionts, evolution of life history strategies in grassland organisms, and their potential evolutionary responses to global environmental change. Conservation issues are emphasized because tallgrass prairie is an endangered ecosystem that have been heavily impacted by habitat destruction and changing land use practices. REU student projects can be conducted at Konza Prairie Biological Station or at nearby sites, such as the Kansas River.
Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Participation Dates: May 26, 2007 to August 4, 2007
Application Deadline: March 1, 2007
For more information, go to: ESA's Job Board

 

University of Michigan Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
The UMBS REU is designed to provide "hands-on" experience and training in field biology and atmospheric science with all phases of research, from hypothesis formulation, through data gathering, to analysis, interpretation and communication of scientific studies.
Location: Pellston, Michigan
Participation Dates: June 23 to August 18, 2007
Application Deadline: February 15, 2007
For more information, go to: ESA's Job Board

 

If you're interested in posting an opportunity, please visit http://www.esa.org/seeds/activities/newsletter.php

 

Help Support SEEDS

We invite you to contribute to ESA's SEEDS Program to help support and encourage greater diversity in the ecology profession. Contributions to the SEEDS program are tax deductible and are used to support special initiatives for underrepresented students. To contribute, visit www.esa.org/seeds/supportSEEDS.php