The Horton lab at SUNY-ESF (Syracuse NY) is soliciting applications for an REU position for the summer of 2012. The main project, entitled "Determinants of ectomycorrhizal fungal spread and its relation to Pinaceae invasion," is a collaboration between Martin Nuñez (UTK), Daniel Simberloff (UTK) and Tom Horton. The project aims to investigate the limitations imposed on the spread of non-native Pinaceae in southern Argentina by a need for codispersal with its obligate symbionts. The student will travel to Isla Victoria, Rio Negro province, Argentina, where he or she will assist in setting up a spore dispersal monitoring experiment, harvest mycorrhizas from running experiments, and assist in installing other experiments at the field site. The student will also initiate an independent project investigating the role of Frankia-Alnus mutualisms in limiting invasion by introduced alders. The student will spend the rest of the summer in Syracuse, NY, where he or she will be trained in basic molecular techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, RFLP, sequence analysis, and phylogenetic analysis. The student will be encouraged to continue the Frankia-Alnus project at his or her undergraduate institution. The student will receive a stipend of approximately $1,000 a month while in Syracuse; travel to and from the field site and a per-diem while in Argentina is also included.
Experience with molecular methodology, a strong interest in mycology, and basic Spanish language skills preferred. Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to Jeremy Hayward ([email protected]) no later than March 15, 2012. Feel free to contact Jeremy with questions, either at that email address or at 303-903-1820 (email is preferred).
