####################################### 2009 SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA
We are seeking one qualified undergraduate to participate in field-based research to study plant biodiversity and ecology in South Africa. The research program, funded by the National Science Foundation, will run for about 6 weeks during the summer of 2009, likely starting in mid-May. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents and must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program (students graduating this May may apply). It will involve research at several field sites in different areas of the fabulously diverse Cape Floristic Region. For more background on the Cape Floristic Region see: http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/cape_floristic/Pages/default.aspx http://www.plantzafrica.com/vegetation/vegmain.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_floristic_region, & http://www.capeaction.org.za/ Students will work closely with graduate student Adam Wilson, who has been conducting research in South Africa for the past two years ( http://tinyurl.com/AdamWilson), and Professor John Silander ( http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/silander/)<http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/silander/>, who has been working in South Africa for the past nine years. The overall goal of this project is to understand the dynamics of vegetation and fire in the landscape with respect to weather and climate in the recent past to inform our understanding of what may happen in the future. The student selected will also conduct an independent research project in collaboration with Adam Wilson, John Silander and collaborating scientists in South Africa. The program will cover all travel expenses for students, local expenses in South Africa, as well as providing a stipend of about $3,000 for your 5+ week commitment. Field work will include collection of above-ground biomass data from the shrublands (fynbos) surrounding Capetown for comparison with remotely sensed (satellite) images. This is a fairly labor intensive process and involves working long hours outside in all sorts of weather (from sunny and warm to cold and rainy). It will be winter there and we will see frost and possibly snow in the mountains. We will spend most of our time in protected areas conducting research, but there will also be some time spent in Cape Town and especially at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Our accommodations will vary, likely including bed&breakfast style housing, hostels, and cabins when we are in the protected areas. Prior experience with map, compass, and GPS will be useful. Some individualized preparation will be needed by the student prior to departure. This will include reading and watching films about the history (natural & social) of South Africa. Interested students should submit: i) Curriculum Vitae, ii) grades (informal transcripts are fine) and a list of relevant courses, iii) two letters of recommendation, iv) a cover letter that describes any previous research and international experiences, and a brief statement explaining your interest in obtaining field research experience in plant ecology and evolution. Please submit application materials as attachments (preferably in a single PDF) in an email by January 31 to Adam Wilson ([email protected]). Thank you for your interest, Adam Adam Wilson __o http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/wilson/ _`\<,_ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (*)/ (*) BioPharm 223 University of Connecticut Tel: 860.486.4157 [email protected]
