LSAMP at the Smithsonian

LSAMP Winter Workshop
7 - 12 January 2001

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*  *  *    SHADOWING A SCIENTIST    *  *  * A summary of where to find the listing of Smithsonian scientists participating in the "shadowing" opportunity plus a description of the "Exploring Research Disciplines" activitity featured in the '01 Winter Workshop - - Scientific Partners: Joining the Smithsonian Community

at the Smithsonian

1. To go directly to the listing of Research Advisors - - click HERE - - and find a listing of RTP Research Advisors who can also serve as scientists to shadow during the LSAMP at the Smithsonian '01 Winter Workshop.  Please select shadowing preferences from this list.

2.  Learn more about Smithsonian natural history research scientists, their role as mentors, and the LSAMP at the Smithsonian '01 Winter Workshop shadowing opportunity.

     What is "Exploring Research Disciplines"?
     How much time is reserved for the shadowing experience?
     Do administrative representatives select a scientist to shadow?
     Who are the research scientists available for shadowing? 
     What are their responsibilities as scientists being shadowed? 
     How do I know which scientist to select? 
     Will I be awarded my first choice scientist? 

WHAT IS THE "EXPLORING RESEARCH DISCIPLINES" ACTIVITY THAT INCLUDES SHADOWING A SMITHSONIAN SCIENTIST?

As part of the Workshop activities, students and LSAMP administrative representatives will be paired with one Smithsonian research scientist to spend some personal time with them learning about their research interests and the research activities of career scientists in their discipline.

HOW MUCH TIME IS RESERVED FOR THE SHADOWING EXPERIENCE?

Two mornings (2.5 hours each day) are reserved for this one-on-one interaction. 

DO ADMINISTRATIVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM LSAMP CENTERS SELECT A SCIENTIST TO SHADOW?

As an opportunity to personally learn more about the research activities of natural history scientists, LSAMP center representatives will also be paired with a Smithsonian scientist. 

WHO ARE SMITHSONIAN NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH SCIENTISTS AVAILABLE FOR SHADOWING?

Project advisors/mentors in the Research Training Program are the same scientific staff available for shadowing during the LSAMP at the Smithsonian '01 Winter Workshop.  These RTP mentors are Ph.D. research scientists from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History community who hold full-time research positions. They conduct curiosity-driven natural history research using specimens from the NMNH collections and facilities housed in the Natural History Building or Museum Support Center.

The NMNH community of permanent, in-residence researchers includes Smithsonian scientists as well as research scientists from other affiliated agencies such as U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Geological Survey, etc.

Currently the RTP project advisor list, and those available for consideration as part of the LSAMP at the Smithsonian '01 Winter Workshop shadowing experience, includes more than 120 of the approximately 200 research scientists at the NMNH available to host students. This list is continuously revised to reflect availability.

WHAT ARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A SCIENTIST BEING SHADOWED?

Scientists selected for the shadowing opportunity will provide insight into their methods and processes of research, plus what they do during their day-to-day activities. They can also offer personal advice about careers, graduate school, research topics, time management, etc.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SCIENTIST TO SELECT?

Center nominees applying to participate in the LSAMP '01 Winter Workshop should select from the List of Advisors the scientist whose research program they would most like to learn about. Applicants are also asked to identify three other potential advisors. This listing of other scientists to shadow will significantly aid in facilitating good placement.

Due to busy and unpredictable research schedules, field work, and new staff hires, not all scientists may be available for the shadowing opportunity so an alternate scientists may be assigned.

WILL I BE AWARDED MY FIRST CHOICE SCIENTIST TO SHADOW?

We will make every effort to facilitate preferred placement for the shadowing experience but to cover the breath of natural history research disciplines some workshop participants may be assigned scientists or disciplines outside their preferred listing.

More than one workshop participant may be assigned to shadow the same advisor.

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