December 2011 Archives

Two hundred twenty six undergraduate students have passed through RMBL’s doors under the auspices of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, since 1991. This program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), gives undergraduates the opportunity to conduct research with a scientist mentor during 10 weeks during the summer. The REU program targets students who might not otherwise have such opportunities, including students who are under-represented in biology. Every 3-5 years, RMBL staff must reapply for funding from the NSF to continue the program. In so doing, we update our files and try to track down REU alumni to find out what they’re doing and how their experience has shaped their careers and their lives. Here are some highlights.

“RMBL is a place of raw, unparalleled discovery. Beyond the scientific discovery that is expected from any field station, RMBL’s unique ability to attract outstanding ecologists from around the world immersed me in a thriving intellectual environment. The cross-pollination of ideas and openness to collaboration promoted by the lab culture led me to discover my niche in ecology, meet my Ph.D. advisor, and build collaborations with people that are more than amazing scientists, they are my mentors, advocates, and friends….. I have spent time at four other field stations……… RMBL is the only field station that has provided more than just a place to do research, offering a network of support and supporters, opportunities to reach out to the public, and a culture of openness, collaboration, and vivid excitement for field biology that has become an inseparable part of me personally and professionally.” - Will Petry, 2009 REU student, 2010-2011 Graduate student. Mentor/Advisor: Dr. Kailen Mooney.

“Prior to RMBL, my research experiences were limited to the experiments conducted in college laboratory courses. Some of these courses gave me opportunities to develop and conduct my own research projects, but at a much smaller scale than what I was able to conduct at RMBL. As I am now pursuing an advanced degree in a biological field, I feel that my RMBL experience really helped me to develop research questions, design and execute experiments, analyze data, and to present it in written form.” - Melissa Pickett, 2009 REU student. Mentor: Dr. Martina Stang.

“My time at RMBL was what convinced me to go to graduate school in the sciences. I knew that I enjoyed my classes in biology and ecology, but I knew very little about how research was done. ……. Getting to design and carry out my own research project was an invaluable learning experience and a first step in my continuing education as a scientist; but it was really the personal contact and day-to-day interactions with graduate students and scientists that led me to believe that I could pursue research myself as a career. Hearing researchers speak about their ongoing research at formally organized talks, and then getting to speak with those researchers on a personal basis in the dining hall or in the lab, made me think: “I can do this!” It was also tremendously inspiring to be immersed in ecological research and surrounded by people who were passionate about ecology. I came home from RMBL to my final year of undergrad feeling very motivated and excited about my studies……. At RMBL, I found that people tend to interact constantly in a great blend of professional and casual settings, and there is a fertile sense of building relationships and sharing knowledge.” Virginia Anne Kowal, 2007 REU student, Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Irwin.

“At RMBL I learned much more about designing a study independently and became comfortable in taking the lead in a project. It confirmed for me that I wanted to continue biological research. I was also introduced to others with similar passions, and being in such a supportive community was wonderful…….. Being at RMBL was the best summer I had as an undergraduate. It was an immersing experience, completely unlike doing research as an undergraduate at a college while simultaneously taking many classes. Being with peers who were all excited about doing biological research was great.” Chiji Ochiagha, 2006 REU student, Mentor: Dr. Chris Floyd.

“I was able to meet new people outside of my area who studied different things, had different cultures and interests but wanted similar things in life. It was great to see so many people brought together because of science, and it let me know I could be myself. I was able to broaden my horizons from the experiences I had only known from my area. When I came back to my home institution I was able to think and see with the eyes of an ecologist. If I hadn’t attended RMBL, I definitely wouldn’t be thinking differently in my classes and personal life…….RMBL is an awesome experience and I have encouraged all my science friends to look up REU programs to have a summer that can change their life!” - Malle Carrasco, 2011 REU student, Mentor: Dr. Dan Blumstein.

RMBL is special because it gives students an immersive ‘boot camp’ science experience in a supportive environment. Students are taken out of their comfort zone; they are far from their home institution, family and friends. They are dropped in a rustic field station at 9500’, typically with no car, definitely with limited cell access - though I hear it’s possible to text from an upstairs window in Mammal lab. In any case, life is different at RMBL. Everyone is there to do science and everything else is secondary. The scientists and their families live and work right there, so the students can see how they ‘do it all’. The students are part of the inner circle of scientists; they are part of the community. This experience makes them realize that they can do it too; they can be a successful scientist. This is why RMBL is special.