Director:
Paula DePriest
NOTE: DePriest was on sabbatical during all
but a couple days while the 1995 RTP was in-session.
John Kress, served as Acting Program Director
throughout the time 1995 RTP participants
were in-residence, providing policy decisions
and guidance to students.
Program Coordinator: Mary Sangrey
Program Assistant: Nicholla Johnson
Program
Steering Committee:
Serving on the 1995 Steering Committee were:
Drs. Paula DePriest, and W. John Kress (former
Program Directors, and Curators in Botany),
Dr. Conrad Labandeira (Paleobiology), Dr.
Jon Norenburg (Invertebrate Zoology), and
Dr. Sorena Sorensen (Mineral Sciences).
PLANNING
THE SESSION
Preparations
for the 1995 Research Training Program (RTP)
began in October,1993, with the decision to
change the recruitment poster design and RTP
logo. The biodiversity habitat logo, designed
by Botany Scientific Illustrator Alice Tangerini
and used by the RTP for two years (1993 and
1994), had been exceptionally successful but
the RTP staff decided it was time for a change.
After considering several NMNH illustrators,
Mary Parrish, Illustrator in the Department
of Paleobiology, was selected to design the
new RTP logo. The new design needed to accurately
represent all the NMNH disciplines and be
easily reproducible in different media. Mary
selected "the human interpretation of
global diversity and change" as her theme
and prepared the design using half-tone pencil
sketches.
The application packet, designed and approved
for the 1994 Program, was determined sufficient
to accurately represent the 1995 RTP without
revision. Thus, the same information was used
for 1995. Information about the 1995 RTP and
application packets were made available 2
February 1994.
A new Program structure took form in September,
1994, when W. John Kress officially
resigned his position as Director, turning
the Program Directorship over to Paula
DePriest, Associate Curator in the Department
of Botany. In October, 1994, a Steering Committee
was selected to approve Program policies and
spending. Guidelines for monitoring the RTP
and RTP Steering Committee were also drafted
and approved by the NMNH Acting Director for
Science, Anna K. Behrensmeyer and Acting
NMNH Director Donald Ortner. Members
appointed to the RTP Steering Committee were:
W. John Kress, Conrad Labandeira,
Jon Norenburg, Sorena Sorensen,
and Richard Thorington. All were appointed
for a three year term.
ADVERTIZING
THE PROGRAM
With
the help of the 1994 RTP participants, who
assumed complete responsibility for the task,
all 7,200+ 1995 advertisement posters were
distributed to colleges and universities in
the U.S. and abroad before 1 September 1994.
Students interested in more information about
the Research Training Program contacted the
RTP Program Coordinator for an application
packet through prepaid postcards attached
to the advertisement poster. Information requests
were also received via personal communication,
phone, fax, and electronically through Internet
e-mail.
Applications
for the 1995 Program were due 1 February 1995.
RECRUITMENT
RESULTS
For the 1995 summer session 15,000 requests
were received for information packets, resulting
in 403 applications. Although the number of
information requests continues to increase,
the 1995 applicant pool of 403 reflects a
20% decrease from the 502 applications received
in 1994 and a 33% decrease from the 600 received
in 1993. This decrease is suspected to, at
least in part, be a result of the 1994 redesigned
application packet that included information
to re-direct non-undergraduate individuals
to other Smithsonian opportunities. The decrease
may also be attributed to the increasing number
of REU programs available.
The
1995 applicant pool included representatives
from most of the 50 U.S. states plus several
U.S. territories and from 49 foreign countries
including: Argentina (5), Australia (1), Bangladesh
(1), Bolivia (1), Brazil (3), Bulgaria (1),
Canada (15), Chile (1), China (1), Colombia
(12), Cuba (4), Ecuador (3), Estonia (1),
Ethiopia (1), Germany (2), Guatemala (1),
Hungary (1), India (2), Ireland (1), Israel
(2), Japan (3), Kenya (9), Korea (1), Lithuania
(1), Mexico (4), Nicaragua (1), Nigeria (5),
Peru (4), Philippines (4), Poland (3), Russia
(10), Singapore (1), Spain (2), Sri Lanka
(3), Sweden (1), The Netherlands (1), Togo
(1), Trinidad (2), Turkey (1), Uganda (1),
Ukraine (5), United Kingdom (2), Uruguay (2),
Venezuela (1) Vietnam (1), Yugoslavia (2),
and Zaire (1). A total of 136 foreign students
applied for the 1995 Program.
Of the 403 applications submitted in
time for consideration for the 1995 Program,
335 (83%) applicants responded to the survey
question: "Do you consider yourself handicapped
or of minority status?" Of those that
answered, 65 (16%) responded "yes"
(thereby indicating that they considered themselves
handicapped or of minority status) and of
these, 47 (72%, or 14% of the total 335 who
answered the survey question) were US citizens
and therefore recognized by OEEMA as minorities.
This survey further identified six general
groupings for the 47 US minorities: African
American (8), Asian American (15), Disabled
(3), Hispanic (18) and Native American (3).
The applicant group included 281 women (56%).
SELECTING THE PARTICIPANTS
Once received, applications were registered
for review or forwarded to other Smithsonian
offices for appropriate placement (as post-doctoral
fellows, visiting scientists, short-term visitors,
or high school interns). Cesar Nufio,
a participant in the 1994 RTP, who was working
on contract for the Department of Paleobiology,
assisted with the registration process. Due
to the large number of applications, beginning
17 January 1995, a pre-screening was conducted
to narrow the applicant pool by one-third.
Completed
application folders were reviewed first by
Mary Sangrey and second by Ron Heyer.
Using the basic requirements for participation
in the Program (undergraduate status, complete
application information, acceptable GPA (generally
above 2.0 based on 4.0 scale), positive recommendations,
and received in accordance with the deadline)
a total of 161 applications (40%) were automatically
eliminated from further consideration. Most
were eliminated because the application file
lacked information necessary to effectively
evaluate the applicant (e.g. letters of recommendation
or cover letter).
To
further narrow the applicant pool, the 241
remaining applications were scored and ranked
by a Screening Committee comprised of 10 members
from the NMNH scientific staff who had previously
been involved in the Program, or who have
an interest in the Program, but not hosting
a 1995 RTP participant.
Screeners
were selected from each of the NMNH departments
participating in the 1995 Program. Serving
on the 1995 Screening Committee were: Steve
Cairns (Invertebrate Zoology), Mike
Carleton, (VZ - Mammals), Kevin deQueiroz
(VZ - Herps), Bob Hershler (Invertebrate
Zoology), Bill Melson (Mineral Sciences),
Dan Nicolson (Botany), Dan Rogers
(Anthropology), Larry Skog (Botany),
Bruce Smith (Anthropology), and George
Zug (VZ - Herps).
A total of 241 applications were reviewed
by the Screening Committee. Random review
sets were prepared, with 47 - 51 applications
per set. The list of application folders to
review was provided to the screeners on 6
February 1995. Screeners had one week, until
12 February 1995, to score the applications
in their set. Each application was scored
by two different reviewers. Review pairs were:
Zug & Skog, Cairns & Nicolson, Rogers
& Hershler, Smith & Carleton, and
Melson & de Queiroz.
Each screener completed a one page, ten question
form for each applicant in their review group.
There were 100 points possible. The rating
factors were: academic performance (10pts.),
academic background (10pts.), motivation for
natural history research (15pts.), motivation
to participate in the program (10pts.), career
goals (10pts.), career potential (10pts.),
letters of recommendation (20pts.), and character/personal
attributes (10pts.).
The scores were normalized using a computer
program developed by Computer Specialist,
Ralph Chapman. The computer program
adjusted the numerical scores for all applicants
by assigning each review set a mean score
of 75 and standard deviation of 10. The range
of raw average scores was 90 to 72 and raw
standard deviations ranged from 17 to 4. The
top 50 applicants were forwarded on to critical
review by Project Advisors and the Final Selection
Committee.
Finalists
were identified by selecting the 50 highest
scoring applicants resulting from the normalization
of scores from the screening review. Project
Advisors were not required to participate
in the initial selection, however, all application
and selection information was made available
and their input appreciated. Each Project
Advisor was provided a list, 13 February 1995,
of all the applicants interested in working
with them including the list of finalists
identified by the Screening Committee. Advisors
had one week, until 19 February 1995, to review
and provide comments about applicants including
identifying strengths and weaknesses in the
different applications. If not satisfied with
the list of finalists, each Project Advisor
had the option to select one additional application
for forwarding on to the Final Selection Committee.
A
total of 55 applications were forwarded on
for critical review from the screening committee
and the project advisors. Included in the
group of 55 finalists were 12 (22%) foreign
students and 11 (20%) individuals who identified
themselves as a minority by responding "yes"
to our survey.
The
Final Selection Committee, made up of members
of the scientific staff who have previously
been involved in the Program but who were
not accepting students this summer, critically
reviewed all finalists and selected from this
list the 1995 NMNH Research Training Program
participants.
Serving on the 1995 Final Selection Committee
were: Paula DePriest (Botany), Conrad
Labandeira (Paleobiology), Jon Norenburg
(Invertebrate Zoology), Rich Vari (Vertebrate
Zoology), and Melinda Zeder (Anthropology).
Committee members were provided the list of
finalists 20 February 1995. Members had one
week, until 26 February 1995, to review, rank,
and score the 55 finalists.
Application folders were shared between the
members of the committee. A score sheet and
a set of standards to judge each application
was provided to aid in the evaluation and
to ensure consistency in judging. Like in
the screening, scores were normalized by computer.
Using point totals from the score sheets,
and personal ranking, a summary of information
was prepared and provided to committee members
before the final selection meeting which began
9:00 am, 28 February 1995, in the Director's
Office Conference Room. At the meeting, the
Final Selection Committee reviewed the computer
generated ranking of applicants and provided
personal input.
All finalists were considered carefully and
a discussion of each application proceeded.
Beginning with the top ranked applicants,
committee members explained the reasons for
their scores followed by a discussion focusing
on the disparities in ranking from the different
members. A consensus was reached and the application
ranked and assigned a project advisor accordingly.
Final selection of participants and assignment
of project advisors was based on the preliminary
recommendations of the project advisors and
information provided in the application form
including a demonstrated interest in natural
sciences, stated career goals, academic accomplishments,
and letters of recommendation.
When
assigning project advisors, the committee
first considered the students selections as
listed in their application form and second
considered the research expertise of NMNH
scientific staff that best paralleled the
students goals and interests. In most cases
students were assigned one of their top three
choices. However, several students were matched
with advisors they did not select. In some
cases, the committee selected advisors who
indicated that they were interested in hosting
a student but did not make the Advisor List
printing deadline and therefore were not included
in the description of potential advisors (and
research specialties) distributed to applicants.
And, in a few cases, students were matched
advisors included among the staff advertised
but selected by the student. When notifying
participants the committees reasons for assigning
each advisor was carefully discussed and the
student given the option to decline.
The
committee selected 25 students from the finalist
set to serve as 1995 Program participants
and one student (Nicholla Johnson)
from the 1994 Collection Volunteer Program
to serve as the 1995 Program Assistant.
Eight alternates were identified.
Of the 26 students selected to participate
in the 1995 summer Program, 12 (48%) were
women and 3 (12%) were classified by OEEMA
as minorities (African American (1), Asian
American, Native American (2) or Hispanic).
After
the Final Selection Committee had reached
their decision and assigned a Project Advisor
for each 1995 participant selected, all Project
Advisors were contacted either in person,
by phone, or via e-mail regarding the committee's
decision. Project Advisors had until 4 March
1995 to accept or decline the student selected
to work with them. Following several adjustments,
the names of the students awarded a position
in the 1995 summer Program were announced.
Accepted applicants were contacted by telephone
beginning 5 March 1995. All applicants were
mailed notification of status on 8 March 1995.
Accepted applicants had until 24 March 1995
to formally accept or decline participation
in the Program. Students not offered a position
in the Research Training Program received
an invitation to volunteer their services
working with the NMNH collections management
staff on various collections associated projects.
Prior
to the selection meeting Jennifer Kling
and Matt Kosnik, participants in the
1994 RTP reluctantly withdrew their application
for the position of 1995 Program Assistant.
Three students declined a position in the
1995 RTP (Sharon Lynn, Sam Jones,
and Annabell Bradford). Of the eight
alternates identified by the Final Selection
Committee, only two were selected to fill
the vacant slots. Alternates were contacted
by telephone 27 March 1995. They had until
3 April 1995 to accept or decline participation
in the 1995 Program. Both accepted.
Five students were selected for Non-Program
Participant status in the 1995 RTP. They were
Julie Arington (working with Vicki
Funk), Susan Grose (working with Vicki
Funk), Waldyke Prince (working with
Vicki Funk), Michelle Roche (working
with Melinda Zeder), and Andrew Wilson
(working with Noreen Tuross).
COLLECTION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
In
January (1995) the RTP Program Coordinator,
Mary Sangrey, met with the NMNH Collection
Management staff to discuss continuing the
Collection Volunteer Program. Conceived in
1993, the Collection Volunteer Program (CVP)
provides opportunities for applicants not
accepted into the formal Research Training
Program to participate in the science of the
Smithsonian. Although CVP participants are
not awarded a research topic, volunteers do
contribute to the mission of the Museum, are
exposed to the vast collections housed behind-the-scenes,
and can meet and work with the NMNH scientific
staff. CVP volunteers are invited to attend
all regular Museum activities including numerous
lectures by visiting scientists, seminars,
and social events. In addition, they are welcome
at most of the Research Training Program lectures,
discussions, field trips, and workshops. The
CVP requires volunteers to commit to a minimum
of 15 hours per week for at least 3 weeks.
The
NMNH Collection Managers voted unanimously
to continue the opportunity and a brochure
describing the Program was prepared and distributed
(8 March 1995) to all applicants not accepted
into the Research Training Program. The brochures
included a form to indicate area of interest
and proposed dates of participation. Forms
were returned to the RTP Program Coordinator
who then advertised the availability of the
volunteer to the NMNH collection management
staff.
Over
twenty students responded positively to the
opportunity and fifteen were selected for
placement. Seven of the fifteen selected were
unable to attend including: Veronica Vazquez
(IZ), Chase Reynolds (IZ), Sharon
Moalem (Botany), Katherine Eminger
(VZ-mammals), Kate McCloskey (Mineral
Sciences), Margie Mayfield (Botany),
and Tamara Acosta (IZ).
INFORMATION PROVIDED
The 1995 Program schedule of events was finalized
in April (1995) and information packets mailed
to students. Packet included two detailed
information letters; participant list; apartment
assignments; housing information; NMNH and
DC maps; information about internships; NMNH
fact sheet; SI history; NMNH and SI organizational
chart; insurance information; lunch locations
chart; intern discounts summary; health and
safety information (and phone numbers); abbreviations
and acronyms summary; computer information;
EEO rights and responsibilities; parking information;
MSC shuttle information and chart; sexual
harassment handout; security summary; phone
information and summary; Oakwood commuting
handouts (prepared by the 1994 participants);
D.C. area taxi information; RTP, NMNH, and
SI registration and exit forms; ADP key card
forms; Library key card forms; MSC id forms;
samples of completed forms; sample of hypothesis
statement; sample of report cover (signatory
page); sample of "thank-you" letter;
check list of exit items; program definitions;
and schedule of RTP activities.
PROGRAM CURRICULUM
The 1995 summer Program was in-session from
27 May 1995 to 6 August 1995.
The curriculum designed for the 1995 Research
Training Program was diverse. Events were
selected to provide Program participants the
opportunity to see, and participate in, all
aspects of the NMNH. Included were lectures,
discussions, demonstrations, workshops, field
trips, tours, and individual research projects.
The Research Project.
At the heart of the Program was the individual
research project. A group of dedicated NMNH
research scientists served as project advisors
to the Program participants.
For the 1995 Program 30 scientists were listed
as available advisors. The list included:
Michael Braun, Jonathan Coddington, Bruce
Collette, William DiMichele, Douglas Erwin,
Robert Faden, Frank Ferrari, Thomas Fritts,
Vicki Funk, Charles Handley, M. G. Harasewych,
W. Ronald Heyer, W. John Kress, W. Duane Hope,
Brian Huber, G. David Johnson, Conrad Labandeira,
James Luhr, Ron McGinley, Wayne Mathis, Roy
McDiarmid, Thomas Munroe, Jim Norris, Robert
Robbins, Richard Thorington, Richard Vari,
Warren Wagner, Mike Wise, Elizabeth Zimmer,
and George Zug.
The
1995 Program hosted 23 different research
projects supervised by 20 project advisors.
The 1995 advisors were: Ralph Chapman, Douglas
Erwin, Robert Faden, Alfred Gardner, Duane
Hope, W. John Kress, G. David Johnson, Thomas
Munroe, David Pawson, Harold Robinson, Laurence
Skog, James Thomas, Richard Thorington, Noreen
Tuross, Richard Vari, Michael Vecchione, Warren
Wagner, Scott Wing, Michael Wise, and Melinda
Zeder.
Together
student and advisor designed a research project
which incorporated the advisors specialties
and the students goals. Most students contacted
their advisor several weeks before the program
began to discuss project options and pre-project
preparations. After the project advisor had
discussed their research interests and the
student given the chance to articulate their
career goals, the advisor/student team together
formulated a hypothesis, designed a series
of investigations to test that hypothesis,
gathered data from their tests, and analyzed
the results. All projects offered a combination
of scientific research, collection's interaction,
and the potential for future independent investigation.
At the conclusion of the Program students
gave a 15-minute formal, oral presentation
on the progress of their research and prepared
a final report and one-page abstract. An average
of 40 -55 people attended the final presentations.
Laboratory
Techniques and Collections Workshop.
Students participated in the daily activities
associated with the research laboratories
and museum collections. In the laboratory,
traditional and modern methods of systematic
research were demonstrated and students given
the opportunity to learn and experiment with
these various techniques. Several collections
workshops were offered on how to prepare,
utilize, and maintain museum specimens, with
emphasis on the universal techniques of access
and use of the specimens at any museum.
Opportunities offered in the 1995 Program
included: a mineral sciences demonstration
(What the rocks tell), a series of morphometrics
workshops, a paleo vertebrate preparation
workshop, a scientific illustration demonstration,
a World Wide Web demonstration, a workshop
with practical advise about applying to graduate
schools, and a histology/plant anatomy techniques
demonstration.
Lectures, Discussions,
Tours, and Field Trips. Through
the lecture series, members from the NMNH
community provided formal instruction in the
concepts and the methodologies used in natural
history-based research. Lectures were held
Monday and Friday from 9:00 - 10:00 am in
either the Waldo Schmitt Room or the Cooper
Room.
Weekly discussions presented additional research
topics in a open format and acquainted students
with the different types of job opportunities
available in natural history and collections-based
research.
An evening journal club was instituted this
year to facilitate discussion about recent
scientific articles and general topics, such
as Evolution and Past Climate Change.
Behind-the-scene tours throughout the NMNH
collections were scheduled to broaden the
participant's biological perspective and to
provide an overview of the different types
of equipment and supplies used in storing
and studying museum collections. These tours
were geared toward developing an appreciation
of the diversity of the planet and the role
of natural history museums in studying and
preserving that diversity.
Two
weekend field trips were also included in
the 1995 Program to demonstrate collection
and observation techniques and to visit research
sites in the local area. Despite the rain
and high tide, students enjoyed a fossil hunting
trip to Calvert Cliffs, Maryland hosted by
Dave Bohaska Saturday 24 June 1995.
Highlighting the field trip series was a day
trip to the Smithsonian's Environmental Research
Center (SERC) organized by Program Assistant
Nicholla Johnson Saturday 8 July 1995.
At SERC Smithsonian professionals demonstrated
their field skills to small interactive groups.
The topics covered included: collecting invertebrates,
hosted by Jan Clark and Karen Reed
and insect collecting and identifying with
Gary Hevel. After the demonstrations,
students enjoyed a catered lunch of sandwiches
and drinks followed by afternoon canoeing
through the SERC waterways.
A
total of 32 lectures/discussions, 14 tours,
10 demonstrations/workshops, and 2 formal
field trips set the backbone of the 1995 Program
from which students branched out to explore
their individual interests by attending and
participating in various other activities
specifically arranged to fulfill their unique
interests.
The
Museum Environment. In addition
to the formally scheduled Program described
above, the students became a part of the NMNH
community by participating in all museum activities,
including the Director's Office coffee hour,
departmental seminars, lectures by visiting
scientists, exhibits preparation, and interaction
with the public.
Social Events.
Many social events were included to facilitate
group cohesion and to give students a chance
to discuss their progress informally with
other RTP participants and members from the
NMNH community - it's also nice to just have
fun sometimes! Noteworthy events of 1995 included:
-
An evening sandwich and soda party hosted
by the Oakwood Apartment Complex staff Sunday,
28 May 1995. Director of Government Marketing,
Beverly Weir, introduced the students
to the facilities at the Alexandria Complex
and answered their questions.
-
An alumni luncheon followed the 1995 Orientation.
Over catered sandwiches, chips and drinks
incoming RTPers had the opportunity to meet
and talk to some RTP alumni.
-
A Director's Office Coffee Hour the first
official day of the Program, Tuesday, 30 May
1995, provided the social setting for RTP
participants first meeting with their project
advisors. Mary Sangrey personally catered
the event which included sandwiches, a variety
of chips & dips, fresh fruits & vegetables,
and several large trays of her famous chocolate
chip cookies.
-
As suggested by the 1994 RTP participants,
two time slots were set aside in the 1995
RTP schedule of events for "Investigation
Time." During this activity students
were encouraged to explore their interests
in Natural History outside their assigned
project and RTP schedule of events. Many elected
to research topics in the various NMNH branch
libraries or to meet with scientific staff
not affiliated with the 1995 program.
-
Following the Paleo Vertebrate Prep Lab demonstration,
many students volunteered their free time
working in the public exhibit "Dinosaur
Bubble" extracting fossil remains of
dinosaurs from rock matrix.
- The NMNH Senate of Scientists hosted a Dinner
Forum 8 June 1996 titled "When I was
alive" by Alfred Wallace. Many
RTP participants attended.
-
The NMNH Department of Botany recently approved
the completed construction of a new greenhouse
facility at the Museum Support Center and
relocated all their research plants to the
new buildings. With the coming of summer,
the plants were flourishing. To "show
off" the new facility, and to provide
a social gathering for RTP students and staff,
the Greenhouse Committee (John Kress,
Bob Faden, Larry Skog, and Greenhouse
Manager Mike Bordelon) hosted a potluck
Open House Friday, 16 June 1995 from 4:30
- 6:30 pm. More than 50 members from throughout
the NMNH community attended.
-
A "Poster Stuffing Pizza Party"
was organized by Jeff Lake the evening
of Monday, 19 June 1996 from 5:00 - 8:30 pm.
During the Pizza Party all 7,300 1996 advertisement
posters were prepared for distribution, inserted
into mailing envelopes, and delivered to the
mail room! And, a total of 16 large "Little
Caesars" pizzas and four cases of soda
were also delivered and devoured before the
close of the evening.
-
A special Ice Cream Social Tuesday, 27 June
1995, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm hosted by the Smithsonian
Internship Council on the National Museum
of American History Rooftop Terrace gave the
students a chance to meet Smithsonian Secretary
I. Michael Heyman.
-
A weekend field trip to Mountain Lake Biological
Field Station was organized by Laura Rose
the weekend of July 1 -2 1996. In addition
to enjoying a weekend in the country, students
had the opportunity to compare and contrast
the Mountain Lake NSF-REU site which emphasizes
ecological research topics in a field environment.
-
Working on contract this summer with Conrad
Labandeira, RTP alumni Dena Smith (1991)
hosted a series of evening workshops and discussion
including "Applying to Graduate School:
how, when, where, and what they want to know"
and "Advise for Other Minorities: encouragement
for continuing in the sciences."
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
After the very successful "Special Experiences"
option instituted last year, at the student's
request, the decision was made to seek funding
from the Educational Outreach Fund to support
another year of this RTP opportunity.
A
proposal was prepared and submitted to the
Smithsonian Office of the Provost, James
Early, Assistant Provost for Education
and Cultural Programs. However, the RTP Special
Experiences proposal to EOF was declined.
Panelists unanimously voted against funding
the project citing the lack of specific goals
and unclear educational objectives. The panelists
also thought that adding "additional
experiences" to the existing program
would not make a critical difference in the
educational opportunity already being offered.
The RTP staff disagreed with the EOF panelists
and with residual moneys from unspent supply
funds, a second year of Special Experiences
was hosted by the RTP.
Through
Special Experiences, students were given the
opportunity to expand their natural history
background by applying for funding to support
individual research experiences outside the
regular schedule of events. Students were
encouraged to explore their natural history
interests by participating in complementary
research topics, attending scientific meetings,
or traveling to distant research sites.
Ten students took advantage of this opportunity.
Most students elected to explore different
areas of their research topic or participate
in associated activities. For example:
-
With funding through this opportunity, Ivan
Castro Arellano remained at the NMNH for
an additional week to continue his investigations
on the distribution of elephant shrews.
-
Kurt Galbreath traveled with his project
advisor Jim Thomas to the Darling Marine
Center of Walpole in Maine to take part in
a one-week course on amphipod taxonomy. Kurt
commented: "Working in the field allowed
me to not only continue in a different, more
dynamic environment, it also gave a scientific
sense of purpose to my research."
-
Phil Gottshall traveled to the American
Museum of Natural History in New York City,
New York for two days to review additional
specimens of late paleozoic gastropods, the
specimens of his research project.
-
Dianella Howarth traveled from her
home in Honolulu to the Big Island of Hawaii
for one week to conduct field observations
of the Hawaiian plant Scaevola chamissoniana
in the Saddle Road and Olaa forest. Commented
Dianella: "Examining Scaevola in different
populations and environments gave me a better
idea of the placement of this species in the
phylogeny. Many times plants develop differently
if their habitat is different. Looking at
the live specimens and comparing them across
populations I was able to determine which
characters I saw in the herbarium were environmentally
induced and which were genetic characters,
thus pulling me closer to a publication of
the phylogenetic analysis of this plant."
-
Alejandra Jaramillo and Jeff Lake
attended the AIBS meeting in San Diego, California.
Jeff commented: "Attending the meeting
allowed me to hear about current research
in all of the fields which I am considering
pursuing as a career."
-
For one week Ana Luz Porzecanski visited,
with her project advisor Scott Wing,
their research site located in the Fort Union
and Willwood formations in the Bighorn Basin
of Wyoming. Ana wrote after returning: "Coming
from an academic background of vertebrate
molecular systematics, this trip represented
a new challenge for me. Being able to see
plant fossil assemblages in their original
location broadened my understanding of paleobotanical
questions."
-
Tara Kirkpatrick and Karen Viskupic
attended the national Geological Society of
America conference in New Orleans, Louisiana
with their project advisor Mike Wise.
They also presented a poster about their research
topic as part of the meetings poster session.
-
Scott Rufolo traveled to Yale University
for five days to examine their collections
and discuss his research findings with their
staff. Scott sorted and catalogued faunal
material that was being held in storage by
their Department of Near Eastern Languages
and Civilization so specimens could be brought
back to the Smithsonian for analysis as part
of his research topic.
RETURNING ALUMNI
Unlike most colleges and universities, where
few undergraduates return to their home institution
for work or research opportunities after they
have graduated, many RTP alumni return to
the NMNH through multiple options which are
available for students to continue their association
with the institution and their project advisor;
as contractors, participants in other academic
appointments, and even employees. Several
RTP alumni were in-residence or visited the
NMNH during the 1995 Program and most elected
to participate in, and even host, activities
including:
- Sally Adkins, a participant in the
1993 RTP and the 1994 RTP Program Assistant,
was hired by the Smithsonian's Biological
Diversity of the Guianas Program and therefore
was available at the NMNH and MSC throughout
the summer to provide advise and to interact
with the participants. Sally was particularly
helpful in planning the SERC collecting field
trip.
-
Aimee Betts, a participant in the 1994
RTP, received a Office of Fellowships and
Grants Minority Internship appointment to
continue her 1994 RTP research project with
Richard Thorington investigating the
origins of African tree squirrels. Aimee attended
several RTP lectures and assisted with tours.
-
Scott Kruger, a participant in the
1993 RTP and 1994 participant in the RTP/Pew
Fellowships in Systematic Biology Program,
has maintained association with his advisor,
Scott Wing. The pair have continued
their research topic with Kruger making frequent
visits to the NMNH to consult with staff and
view collections. And, when in town, Scott
always checks in with the RTP and interacts
with Program participants.
-
Jim Parham, a participant in the 1994
RTP, continued his research with advisor George
Zug thanks to a grant Zug received from
Molson Breweries. Their research focused on
developing a method to determine the age at
which leatherback sea turtles reach sexual
maturity by looking at small bony plates which
are part of the eyeballs. In addition to his
research Jim attended several RTP lectures
and tours.
-
Alvaro Sagasti, a participant in the
1993 RTP and native of the Washington area,
attended the 1994 and 1995 final presentations.
-
Dena Smith, a participant in the 1991
RTP, spent the summer at the NMNH working
on contract with Conrad Labandeira.
Dena became very active in the 1995 RTP, attending
many lectures and even hosting several special
discussions and workshops.
SECOND
SUMMER OPPORTUNITY
Because RTP project advisors had been very
supportive of our efforts, cooperative in
testing new initiatives, and have often commented
"if I could have a second summer with
this student we would be able to complete
our study and publish the results," the
RTP staff decided to investigate this as a
possible option for available 1995 RTP funds
- that is, invite students from the 1994 RTP
to come back and enhance their project.
By
April, 1995, the Research Training Program
saw many successes since the 1994 summer session,
especially in receiving funding to support
the 1995 Program including a grant from the
NMNH Research Initiatives to support four
1995 RTP students. With 24 positions secured
for the '95 RTP, instead of funding additional
slots, we requested the the Research Initiatives
grant be converted to support follow-up opportunities
for 1994 RTP participants.
Through this "Second Summer Opportunity"
1994 RTP participants would be invited back
to the NMNH to enhance their research project;
anticipating that a few additional weeks of
collaboration between the 1994 participants
and their advisors would result in the completion
of several manuscripts. With the approval
of Acting Associate Director for Science,
Anna K Behrensmeyer, we were able to
convert RI money to host a Second Summer Opportunity.
Under
the direction of Mary Sangrey, with
the council of the RTP Steering Committee
and Acting RTP Program Director John Kress;
guidelines were established, an application
process designed, and 1994 RTP project advisors
and student participants contacted.
Six student/advisor teams qualified under
the established guidelines for support through
this opportunity. Guidelines included: 1)
same project and same advisor, 2) advisor
available for 50% of the student in-residence
time, 3) minimum time at the NMNH of three
weeks and maximum of ten weeks, and 4) in-residence
time must conform to the 1995 RTP dates of
27 May - 6 August 1995.
This
opportunity proved to be very profitable
for both students and advisors. All students
who participated in the 1994 RTP program
were contacted and offered the opportunity
to return for a folowing summer. Seven students
accepted the offer.
The results include five completed manuscripts
(1 in press, 4 to be submitted fall - 1995).
Following is a summary of the students and
advisors participating in the Research Training
Program Second Summer Opportunity including
a brief description of their research topic
and results:
-
Ryan Bavis spent six weeks (29 May
1995 - 7 July 1995) working with Mike
Braun to complete their molecular analysis
of the type specimen of Black Brant. Commented
Ryan: "Without this additional time,
I seriously doubt that this project would
have resulted in a manuscript." The
original goal of the project was to use
molecular techniques to resolve the controversy
surrounding the identity of the holotype
of the subspecies known a Branta bernicla
nigricans. During the summer of 1994 they
were able to locate fixed variation between
two subspecies, but were unable to extract
DNA from the holotype. As part of the 1995
RTP-SSO additional extraction methods were
attempted, but failed. Instead of resolving
the original problem, valuable information
on the relative efficiencies of different
protocols was gained and a manuscript prepared
for submission (October, 1995) to the Journal
of Ancient Biomolecules: Bavis, R., T.C.
Glenn, and M.J. Braun. Genetic studies of
the holotype of the Black Brant, Branta
bernicla nigricans (Aves: Anatidae).
-
Roberto Bello spent three weeks (19
June 1995 - 8 July 1995) working with Roy
McDiarmid to complete their description
and manuscript for publication of two new
species of frogs. The manuscript has been
completed and is currently being reviewed.
Submission to the journal Herpetologica
is expected soon: Bello, R., and R. McDiarmid.
Two new species of minute Leptodactylids
(Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the Guayana
Highlands of Southern Venezuela.
-
Carlos Bustamante spent 10 weeks
(29 May 1995 - 6 August 1995) working with
Don Ortner on their Special Experiences
project. A manuscript has been prepared
for submission to Folia Primatologica (September,
1995): Bustamante, C.D., and D.J. Ortner.
A preliminary study of ape gender differences
in mortality: implications for understanding
the evolution of human gender differences
in immune reactivity.
-
Charlene Fricker spent three weeks
(17 July 1995 - 6 August 1995) working with
Bill DiMichele, continuing their
research on the Pennsylvanian flora from
Little Pine Creek, Indiana.
-
Katherine Langer spent five weeks
(28 May 1995 - 17 June 1995 and 25 June
1995 - 8 July 1995) working with Mike
Wise on their geochemical study of pegmatitic
amazonites. By returning to the NMNH they
were able to complete their original study
and begin two associated manuscripts. Katy
relates: "The Second Summer Opportunity
really opened my eyes as to what I can accomplish."
The results of their first study will be
presented at the Geological Society of America's
Annual Meeting and the accompanying abstract
published: Langer, K.E., and M.A. Wise.
1995. The development of amazonite in the
Morefield pegmatite, Amelia, Virginia.
-
Chris Hardy spent ten weeks (29 May
1995 - 6 August 1995) working part time
with Bob Faden and technician Stan
Yankowski adding more information to their
research topic on leaf anatomy of Pollia
and Commelina (Commelinaceae).
-
Barnaby Marsh spent five weeks (1
July 1995 - 6 August 1995) working with
Tom Munroe adding more data to their
research on Symphurine toungefishes and
writing up their results. A manuscript has
been prepared documenting their findings.
It will be submitted to the Japanese Journal
of Ichthyology (November, 1995): Munroe,
T.A., and B.N. Marsh. Redescription of poorly-known
Indo-Pacific Symphurine toungefishes Symphurus
trifasciatus (Alcock, 1894) and Symphurus
microrhynchus Weber, 1913.
At
the conclusion of the RTP-SSO participants'
term, all were required to host a 15 minute
presentation about their research and submit
a draft version of their project publication
or detailed report citing the progress of
the research topic. In addition, RTP-SSO
participants completed a survey questionnaire
about the opportunity and prepared a one-page
abstract.
James
E. Webb Financial Management Fellow
To
assist with the financial management of
the RTP and to provide a "site"
for participants in the James E. Webb Internship
Program, the RTP hosted 1995 "Webb
Fellow" Karin Owens.
Karin's project was to evaluate the financial
administration of the RTP and to provide
suggestions for future financial management
including the potential need for additional
staff or re-assignment of financial duties.
Working closely with the RTP Program Coordinator,
Karin learned, and actively participate
in, all financial aspects of the RTP including
the distribution of funds across multiple
fund numbers, budget spending, record keeping,
financial management, and budget reconciliation
and reporting. She also evaluated the current
operation of the RTP and made suggestions
for re-structuring policies and procedures
to better conform to standard financial
management practices and Smithsonian procedures
for operational checks and balances.
Although
not particularly interested in the biological
sciences coming into her appointment, Karin
participated in many RTP social events and
developed an understanding of, and appreciation
for, the research of NMNH scientists. Karin
also served as the key contact for RTP students
ordering their research supplies and assisting
them with any purchasing and spending.
At
the conclusion of her appointment Karin
hosted a formal seminar about her work with
the RTP and presented her conclusions Monday,
7 August 1995 in the Waldo Schmitt Room.
The title of her talk was: "Cost effectiveness
of implementing a system of checks and balances."
WHO
HELPED
Each year hundreds of individuals from throughout
the NMNH and Smithsonian community assist
with the administration and operation of the
RTP. Many volunteer their time and talents
to participate in program events. This year
certificates were given to staff directly
associated with RTP activities as acknowledgment
of their dedication to the program and donation
of their expertise.
Certificates were presented to staff by the
RTP participants at an awards ceremony held
Friday 4 August 1995 in the NMNH Executive
Board Room, hosted by Acting NMNH Director
Don Ortner.
Certificates were awarded to more than 100
individuals as acknowledgment of their effort,
including: Cynthia Ahearn, Phil Angle, Vic
Avery, Carole Baldwin, Elyse Beldon, Debbie
Bell, Dave Bohaska, Mike Bordelon,William
Boykins, Susann Braden, Cheryl Bright, Leslie
Brothers, Cathe Brown, Walter Brown, Kurt
Bruwelheide, Carol Butler, Yvette Butler,
Mike Carpenter, Ralph Chapman, Jan Clark,
Jon Coddington, Tim Coffer, Daniel Cole, Bruce
Collette, Rebecca Culpepper, Karolyn Darrow,
Sian Davies, Donald Dean, Linda Deck, Doug
Erwin, Ellen Farr, Ronald Faycik, Christian
Feuillet, Nella Fischer, Robert Fisher, Mark
Florence, Tom Fritts, Vicki Funk, Nora Gallagher,
Gary Gautier, Raye Germon, Tim Gooding, Linda
Gordon, Steve Gotte, Fred Grady, Leslie Hale,
William Hahn, Gary Hevel, Ron Heyer, Elaine
Hodges, Bill Hoffman, Pamela Hudson, Deb Hull-Walski,
Dave Hunt, Steve Jabo, Jeremy Jacobs, Susan
Jewett, Ann Juneau, John Kress, Conrad Labandeira,
Heather Lapham, Roxie Laybourne, Thomas Lovejoy,
Craig Ludwig, Kurt Luginbyhl, James Luhr,
Roy Mc Diarmid, Greg Mc Kee, Jim McRea, Bill
Melson, Joe Nelen, Elizabeth Nelson, Sharon
Nishizaki, Joan Nowicke, Doug Owsley, Mary
Parrish, Dave Pawson, Paul Pohwat, Charlie
Potter, Bob Purdy, Katherine Rankin, Karen
Reed, Cyde Roper, Tim Rose, Martha Rosen,
Roberta Rubinoff, George Russell, Molly Ryan,
Ray Rye, Judy Sansbury, Ruth Schallert, Linda
Schramm, Ray Seefeldt, Robynn Shannon, Dave
Smith, Dena Smith, Sylvia Stone, Sherman Suter,
Mike Sweeney, Alice Tangerini, Jann Thompson,
Richard Thorington, Noreen Tuross, Luz Valiulis,
Doris Vance, George Venable, Stanley Weitzman,
Jeff Williams, Andrew Wilson, Don Wilson,
Scott Wing, Jonathan Wingerath, Mike Wise,
Stan Yankowski, Ellis Yochelson, Abbie Yorkff,
Melina Zeder, and Liz Zimmer.
AWARD
PACKAGE
Participants
in the 1995 Program each received a stipend
of $1,250 and housing at the
Oakwood apartment complex in Alexandria, Virginia.
Students also received a transportation allowance
based on the distance between their home institution
and Washington, D.C. For students from the
United States, this amount varied from $100
to $400, following The Smithsonian
Office of Fellowships and Grants standards
which correspond to time zones, beginning
with $100 in the Eastern Standard Time Zone
and increasing in $100 increments proceeding
West. Foreign applicants received a transportation
allowance based on average airfares from their
location to Washington, D.C., as calculated
by the Smithsonian Travel Office.
SUPPORTING
FUNDING
These
awards were made possible thanks to funding
provided by the following offices and organizations:
