| |
|
| Highlights |
|
 Information
about the Research Training Program:
go directly to the current RTP on-line application forms
Smithsonian
Center for Education and Museum Studies Smithsonian Office of Fellowships - internships
Smithsonian Office of Fellowships - fellowships POST GRADUATES
CONTACT US
- OR -
Research
& Collections
|
23 May 1998 - 1 August 1998 A total of 31 students participated in the 1998 session of the Research Training Program including 3 "non-program" participants and 5 international students representing Bhutan, Brazil, Germany, Guyana, Poland, and Russia. Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary The Research Training Program is very competitive and although we wish we could give all applicants a chance to work at the Smithsonian; time, funding, and space limit the number of students we can accommodate. A total of 379 applications were received for placement. All were considered carefully. Unfortunately only 28 positions were available this summer plus 3 "non-program" slots. Selection and placement was exceedingly difficult this year and all applications were reconsidered before final alternate selection was completed We thank all applicants for considering our program. Following is the list of students selected to participate in the 1998 Research Training Program. In addition to those accepted, 16 students were identified as alternates. APPLICANT NAME (Last, first)
Arjoon, Deokie Jackie - NON-PROGRAM STATUS Ms. Arjoon is from East Coast Demerara, Guyana. She is graduated from the University of Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana in 1997 with a degree in Biology. She has a particular interest in studying declining amphibian populations. Research Advisor: Dr. Vicki Funk, Research Botanist and Director, Biological Diversity of the Guianas Program. B.S. (1969), M.S. (1975) Ph.D. (1980) Ohio State University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will process collections from the Guyana region of South America by sorting groups for exchange and identifying undetermined collections to genus and species. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Arjoon's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by the Biological Diversity of the Guianas Program. Brinig, Mary - CANCELLED Ms. Brinig is from Arlington, Virginia. She is currently a Junior at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut majoring in Biology with a particular interest in genetics and molecular biology. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Braun, Director, Laboratory of Molecular Systematics and Associate Curator, Depratment of Vertebrate Zoology Division if Birds. B.A. (1977) Cornell University; Ph.D. (1983) Louisiana State University. Proposed Research Topic: A phylogenetic study of the Caprimulgiformes (Nightbirds). To date the 5' half of the cytochrome b gene for 21 birds, including all caprimulgiform families and 3 outgroups, have been sequenced. The student will sequence the 3' end of the same gene doing DNA extractions, polymerase chain reactions, and automated DNA sequencing. The data collected will be analysed separately and then combined with the existing data for a comprehensive analysis. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Brinig's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Claflin, Christopher Lang Mr. Claflin is from Blanco, Texas. He is currently a Junior at George Washington University in Washington, DC where he is majoring in Geology and minoring in Physics. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Wise, Geologist. Department of Mineral Sciences. B.A. (1979) University of Virginia; Ph.D. (1987) University of Manitoba. Proposed Research Topic: An investigation to examine the usefulness of amphibole group minerals (e.g. hornblends & riebeckite) as a petrogenetic indicator in granite-pegmatite systems. Granite pegmatites that contain amphibole group minerals, such as hornblende or riebeckite, are uncommon. When present, the pegmatites are often hosted by granites which are characterized by a distinct enrichment in niobium, yttrium and fluorine. Previous work on amphibole-bearing pegmatites have been limited to purely descriptive studies. Genetic relationships between the host granite and amphibole-bearing pagmatite is rarely established. Amphiboles from pegmatites and associated granites will be analyzed for their major and trace element content. The chemical variability of the amphiboles will be used to decipher petrogenetic details about the granite-pegmatite system. Limited field work may be required. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Claflin's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9732416. Cramer, Ashley Ms. Cramer is from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is currently a junior at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she is majoring in Biology with a concentration in Zoology and a minor in Communication. Research Advisor: Dr. John Brown. Research Entomologist, Systematic Entomology Lab., ARS-USDA. Department of Entomology. B.S. (1983) San Diego State University; Ph.D. (1988) University of California, Berkeley. Proposed Research Topic: The student will either describe a new taxon of microlepidoptera based on morphological characteristics or conduct an inventory of a small group/family of microlepidoptera within a geographic area. The project may involve some local field work. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Cramer's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Fairchild, Jennifer Leigh Ms. Fairchild is from Seattle, Washington. She is a Senior at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington where she is majoring in Anthropology with a particular interest in biological anthropology. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Vecchione, Systematics Zoologist, National Marine Fisheries Service, Systematics Laboratory. B.A. (1972) University of Miami; Ph.D. (1979) College of William and Mary. Proposed Research Topic: The student will sort paralarval shortfin squid, Illlex coindetii, from the cephalopods already sorted from zooplankton samples collected in the US waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Specimens will be selected to represent the entire size range collected. Paralarval development of the species will be described based on these specimens, and compared with that of the more northern species, Illex illecebrosus. Distribution of the paralarvae will be determined based on the collection data accompanying the samples. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Fairchild's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Green, Allyson Anne - canceled Ms. Green is from Polson, Montana. She is currently a Sophomore at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana where she is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Science with a particular interest in mineralogy. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Wise, Geologist. Department of Mineral Sciences. B.A. (1979) University of Virginia; Ph.D. (1987) University of Manitoba. Proposed Research Topic: An investigation to examine the usefulness of amphibole group minerals (e.g. hornblends & riebeckite) as a petrogenetic indicator in granite-pegmatite systems. Granite pegmatites that contain amphibole group minerals, such as hornblende or riebeckite, are uncommon. When present, the pegmatites are often hosted by granites which are characterized by a distinct enrichment in niobium, yttrium and fluorine. Previous work on amphibole-bearing pegmatites have been limited to purely descriptive studies. Genetic relationships between the host granite and amphibole-bearing pagmatite is rarely established. Amphiboles from pegmatites and associated granites will be analyzed for their major and trace element content. The chemical variability of the amphiboles will be used to decipher petrogenetic details about the granite-pegmatite system. Limited field work may be required. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Green's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Alliances for Minority Participation (AMP) Program. James, Sara Christine Ms. James is from Vienna, Virginia. She is currently a Junior at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia where she is majoring in Geology with a special interest in volcanology. Research Advisor: Dr. William Melson. Senior Scientist, Department of Mineral Sciences. B.A. (1961) Johns Hopkins University; Ph.D. (1964) Princeton University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis that zoning in plagioclase crystals reflects magma chamber convection at Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica. Using the petrographic microscope and electron microprobe scans the student will characterize zoning in plagioclase and interpret its origin in terms of subvolcanic (magma chamber) processes. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. James's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9732416. Kimbrell, Tristan Mr. Kimbrell is a Junior at Kansas State University. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Gary Graves, Curator of Birds, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Birds. B.A. (1976) University of Arkansas, Little Rock;; M.S. (1980) Louisiana State University; Ph.D. (1983) Florida State University. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Don Ortner.Curator, Physical Anthropology, Department of Anthropology. B.A. (1960) Columbia Union College; M.A. (1967) Syracuse University; Ph.D. (1970) University of Kansas. Proposed Research Topic: Using the same techniques for sectioning human bones, the student will study sections of the tibiae of black-throated blue warblres looking at the endosteal lamellae to see if this character can accurately determine the age of adult birds. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Kimbrell's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Lebbin, Daniel Jason - CANCELED Mr. Lebbin is from Bethesda, Maryland. He is currently a Sophomore at Duke University majoring in Biology with a particular interest in ornithology, conservation biology and scientific illustration. Research Advisor: Dr. John Brown Research Entomologist, Systematic Entomology Lab., ARS-USDA. Department of Entomology. B.S. (1983) San Diego State University; Ph.D. (1988) University of California, Berkeley. Proposed Research Topic: The student will either describe a new taxon of microlepidoptera based on morphological characteristics or conduct an inventory of a small group/family of microlepidoptera within a geographic area. The project may involve some local field work. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Lebbin's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Markey, Molly Jeanette Ms. Markey is from Dallas City, Illinois. Currently participating in a semester abroad study program at Saint Petersburg State University in Saint Petersburg, Russia; Ms. Markey is a Sophomore at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where she is majoring in Paleobiology and Russian with a particular interest in dinosaur paleobiology, evolution and mass extinctions. Research Advisor: Dr. Brian Huber, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Foraminifera, Department of Paleobiology. B.A. (1981) University of Akron; M.S. (1984); Ph.D. (1988) Ohio State University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic changes during the last 3 million years of the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary extinction event had little effect on the species diversity and productivity rates of planktic foraminifera. Latest Cretaceous age planktonic foraminifera from subtropical Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1049 and 1050 will be studied to determine if there were significantly elevated extinction rates and productivity changes within 3 million years before the asteroid impact occurred at the end of the Cretaceous. Some authors have suggested that climatic cooling and sea level changes between 68 and 65 million years ago were more important factors in the extinction of planktic foraminifera than the asteroid impact. The project will require learning to discriminate between species of plantonic foraminifera and how to manipulate a picking brush while looking through a binocular microscope. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Markey's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9732416. Masalakova, Svetlana - NON-PROGRAM STATUS Ms. Masalakova is from Moscow, Russia. She is currently a Senior at Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia where she is majoring in Biology with a particular interest in the systematics of marine invertebrates, specifically nemerteans. Research Advisor: Research Zoologist and Curator of Worms, Department of Invertebrate Zoology. B.A. (1973), M.S. (1976) Acadia University; Ph.D. (1983) Northeastern University. Proposed Research Topic: A systematic investigation of a small group of marine nemertean worms. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Masalakova's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's PEET program. McLinn, Colleen Megan Ms. McLinn is from Bloomington, Minnesota. She is currently a Junior at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida where she is majoring in Biology and minoring in Anthropology and Chemistry with a particular interest in physical anthropology and primate studies. Research Advisor: Dr. Melinda Zeder, Curator, Department of Anthropology. A.B. (1975), M.A. (1978), Ph.D. (1985) University of Michigan. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: there is a distinct dietary difference between different residents of the Bronze Age city of Tell Leilan (2600 - 2200 B.C.) depending on their socio-economic status. The student will conduct an analysis of archaeological animal bones from a large 3rd millennium B.C. urban site (Northeastern Syria). Through this research the student will learn basic principles of osteology, ecology of domestic animals, and economic principles that govern human diet in urban context. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. McLinn's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Menke, Sean Brendan Mr. Menke is from Edina, Minnesota. He is currently a Senior at the University of Minnesota in Morris, Minnesota where he is majoring in Biology with special interests in ecology and conservation biology. Research Advisor: Dr. Thomas Munroe, National Marine Fisheries Service, Systematics Laboratory. B.A. (1973), M.S. (1976) Southeastern Massachusetts University; Ph.D. (1987) College of William and Mary. Proposed Research Topic: The student will investigate systematic questions in the flatfish family. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Menke's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Moreira, Cristiano Rangel Mr. Moreira is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is currently a Senior at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he is anticipating graduation in August, 1998 with a degree in Biology. Mr. Moreira has a particular interest in working with systematics of neotropical fishes. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Richard Vari, Curator of Fishes, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. B.A. (1971) New York University; Ph.D. (1976) City University of New York. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Stanley Weitzman, Curator of Fishes, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. B.A. (1951), M.A. (1953) University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D. (1960) Stanford University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis that the subfamily Iguanodectinae is a monophyletic group. The fish subfamily Iguanodectinae is a group of about 10 species, broadly distributed East of the Andes. The project will evaluate if the monophyly of the group can be substantiated. Evidence will be gathered from osteological and soft anatomical systems. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Moreira's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee. Namgyel, Thinley Mr. Namgyel is from Thimphu, Bhutan. He is currently a Senior, expecting to graduate in May, 1999 from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin with a major in Botany. After graduation he plans to return to his home country of Bhutan to work for the National Environmental Commission concentrating his efforts on conservation and an inventory of the flora of Bhutan. Research Advisor: Dr. W. John Kress, Curator, Department of Botany. B.A. (1975) Harvard University; Ph.D. (1981) Duke University. Proposed Research Topic: A phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of the Himalayan genus Cautleya (Zingiberaceae). The genus Cautleya is composed of five described species known principally from the mountainous Himalayan region of Asia (e.g., Assam, Bhutan, Myanmar, China). No recent monograph of the genus is available. This project will focus on the use of literature descriptions, herbarium material and living plants in devising a character matrix for use in a phylogenetic analysis of the genus. The geographic distribution of the species will then be analyzed within the context of the phylogenetic results and compared to the distributions of other taxa in the Zingiberaceae known from Bhutan. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Namgyel's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee. Nestlerode, Michelle Karen Ms. Nestlerode is from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. She is currently a Sophomore at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina where she is majoring in Marine Biology with a particular interest in marine mammals. Research Advisor: Dr. Klause Reutzler, Research Zoologist and Director, Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program, Department of Invertebrate Zoology. Matura (1955) Realgymnasium, Vienna; Ph.D. (1963) University of Vienna. Proposed Research Topic: The last survey of sponges from the North Carolina area was in 1960. In the 1980's a marine lab was contracted by the Bureau of Land Management to undertake a collection of invertebrates from the US outer continental shelf. Sponges collected from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (by dredge and scuba) were tentatively sorted and identified. The student will evaluate the specimens collected to consider what changes in sponge diversity have occurred in the last 20 years. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Nestlerode's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Palmer, Matthew Broadbent Mr. Palmer is from Davis, California. He is currently a Senior at Brigham Young University anticipating graduation in August, 1998 with a degree in Zoology. Research Advisor: Dr. Conrad Labandeira, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Fossil Anthropods, Department of Paleobiology. B.A. (1980) California State University, Fresno; M.S. (1986) University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Ph.D. (1990) University of Chicago. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: the extent of consumption of live plant tissue consumed by herbivorous insects has significantly increased through time (Late Carboniferous to Recent). Corollary: there has been an arms race between herbivorous insects and their plant hosts during macroevolutionary time scales. The identification of types of insect herbivory (external foliage feeding, mining, galling, etc.) will be done on 1,543 specimens of leaves from the Middle Eocene (48 Ma) Republic Flora from Washington State. Source plant identifications of plant hosts have already been made. Each foliar element (leaves, pinnules, needles) will be digitized for total surface area and insect damaged surface area for calculation of an herbivory index to be compared to other Modern and fossil floras, including especially the coeval (48 Ma) Green River flora from Utah, but representing a very different vegetational type. These data will be statistically analyzed, graphed, and together with photographic documentation, will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Palmer's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9732416. Proszynski, Tomasz Jacek Mr. Proszynski is from Milanowek, Poland. He is currently a Sophomore at Warsaw University in Warsaw, Poland where he is majoring in Biology with a special interest in spider taxonomy. Research Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Coddington, Curator of Arachnida and Myriapoda, Department of Entomology. B.A. (1975) Yale; M.A. (1978), Ph.D. (1984) Harvard University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will conduce a morphological study of salticidae, dionychan phylogeny and utility of posterior eye tapeta for cladistic studies in spiders. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Proszynski's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee. Reitzel, Adam Michael - CANCELED Mr. Reitzel is from Morton, Illinois. He is currently a Junior at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois where he is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Psychology with a special interest in marine ecology and invertebrate zoology. Research Advisor: Dr. Klause Reutzler, Research Zoologist and Director, Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program, Department of Invertebrate Zoology. Matura (1955) Realgymnasium, Vienna; Ph.D. (1963) University of Vienna. Proposed Research Topic: The last survey of sponges from the North Carolina area was in 1960. In the 1980's a marine lab was contracted by the Bureau of Land Management to undertake a collection of invertebrates from the US outer continental shelf. Sponges collected from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (by dredge and scuba) were tentatively sorted and identified. The student will evaluate the specimens collected to consider what changes in sponge diversity have occurred in the last 20 years. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Reitzel's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Rosenshein, Ellen Beth Ms. Rosenshein is from Woodbourne, New York. She is currently a Junior at Binghamton Univeristy in Binghamton, New York majoring in Geology with a special interest in planetary geology. Research Advisor: Dr. Timothy J. McCoy, Geologist and Associate Curator Department of Mineral Sciences. B.S. (1986) Eastern Illinois University; M.S. (1990) University of New Mexico; Ph.D. (1994) University of Hawaii. Proposed Research Topic: The student will study the mechanisms by which asteroids melted in the early history of the solar system by examination of meteorites to identify minerals which may have formed from partial melts, to study the relationship between these minerals and, possibly, to experimentally reproduce the distribution of some elements between these minerals. After an initial period of reading about both meteorites in general and the project in particular, the student will study polished thin sections of aubrites from both the National and US. Antarctic meteorite collections. These are meteorites which formed where there was essentially no free oxygen and, thus, contain a diverse suite of unusual minerals. The goal of this research is to identify minerals which may have crystallized from early partial melts (e.g., plagioclase, sulfides) and study the textural relationships between these. Co-crystallization of these minerals may have had a profound effect on partitioning of elements within these melts and, if time is available, the intern may undertake, under close supervision, a limited number of experiments to reproduce this element partitioning. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Rosenshein's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9732416. Sadleir, Rudyard Willis Mr. Sadleir is from Park Ridge, Illinois. He is currently a Junior at the University of Illinois majoring in Geological Sciences. Research Advisor: Dr. John Pandolfi, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Fossil Corals, Department of Paleobiology. B.S. (1979) University of Notre Dame; M.S. (1982) University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Ph.D. (1987) University of California, Davis. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: rapid burial of live corals lends superior preservation to those corals that die and remain on the sea floor. The students will analyze data obtained from a one year experiment where a group of dead corals of various growth forms were left out on the Madang Lagoon (Papua New Guinea) reef for a period of one year. Half of the specimens were left exposed on the surface of the sea floor and the other half were buried (about 25 cm below the sediment-water interface) immediately upon death. Data analysis will include a variety of univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Through this research topic the student will learn the taxonomy and biology of organisms which use calcium carbonate as a hard substrate to settle and grow and will also learn to recognize manifestation of physical agents in the breakdown of coral skeletons. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Sadleir's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Saluke, Sandra V. Ms. Saluke is from Dayton, Ohio. She is currently a Junior at Cornell University majoring in Biology with a particular interest in entomology. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Pogue, Research Entomologist, USDA Systematics Laboratory. B.A. (1974) University of Colorado; M.S. (1981) University of Wyoming; Ph.D. (1986) University of Minnesota. Proposed Research Topic: The student will conduct a survey of a local population of microlepidoptera and compare the samples to historical data from the same area. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Saluke's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Shoup, Heidi Renee Ms. Shoup is from Mansfield, Ohio. She is a graduating Senior at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio majoring in Zoology with a particular interest in Ichthyology, especially cyprinodont fishes. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Lynne Parenti, Curator of Fishes, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. B.A. (1975) State University of New York at Stony Brook; Ph.D. (1980) City University of New York. Co-Research Advisor: Dr. Stanley Weitzman, Curator of Fishes, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes. B.A. (1951), M.A. (1953) University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D. (1960) Stanford University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: is the old world killifish family Aplocheilidae monophyletic? In a phylogenetic analysis of cyprinodentiform fishes, Parenti (1981) divided the suborder Aplocheiloidei into two families, the Old World Aplocheilidae and New World Rivilidae, using morphological, primarily osteological characters. Monophyly of the Apocheilidae has been rejected in a recent molecular study (Murphy & Collier, 1997), yet supported by ongoing morphological studies (Costa, in press). The student will address the hypothesis by compiling the existing morphological and molecular data and adding new morphological characters from cleared and stained preparations that the student will make using USNM materials. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Shoup's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the NMNH Office of the Director. Skoy, James Andrew Mr. Skoy is from Springville, Utah. He is currently a Junior at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he is majoring in Conservation Biology and Systematics. Research Advisor: Dr. Charles Handley, Curator of Mammals, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Mammals. B.A. (1945) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1955) University of Michigan. Proposed Research Topic: A study of the mammal populations of Bocas del Toro, Panama. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Skoy's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Stackhouse, Shannon Alexis Ms. Stackhouse is from Woodbridge, Virginia. She is currently a Sophomore at Harvard University where she is majoring in Biology with a particular interest in animal science. Research Advisor: Dr. Melinda Zeder, Curator, Department of Anthropology. A.B. (1975), M.A. (1978), Ph.D. (1985) University of Michigan. Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis: there is a distinct dietary difference between different residents of the Bronze Age city of Tell Leilan (2600 - 2200 B.C.) depending on their socio-economic status. The student will conduct an analysis of archaeological animal bones from a large 3rd millennium B.C. urban site (Northeastern Syria). Through this research the student will learn basic principles of osteology, ecology of domestic animals, and economic principles that govern human diet in urban context. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Stackhouse's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Stayton, Charles Mr. Stayton is from Lexington, Kentucky. He is currently a Sophomore at Purdue University majoring in Solid Earth Science/Paleontology and minoring in Biology with a special interest in vertebrate paelontology. Research Advisor: Dr. Anna K. Behrensmeyer, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Co-Director of the Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems Program, Department of Paleobiology. B.A. (1967) Washington University; M.A. (1968), Ph.D. (1973) Harvard University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will investigate how fossil bird assemblages compare to living avian fauna to estimate ancient ecosystems. A collection of about 30 avian skeletal remains from a modern African ecosystem will be analyzed and compared with living bird fauna from the same area to provide evidence for potential biases in the fossil record. The results will be compared with published information on fossil bird assemblages, many of which are "mass death" but some of which are "attritional" like the African assenmblage. The project will also include a compilation of information on avian taphonomy and fossil assemblages into a database. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Stayton's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Stewart, Kevin Douglas Mr. Stewart is from Gulfport, Mississippi. He is currently a sophomore at Howard University in Washington, DC where he is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. Research Advisor: Dr. David Furth, Collection Manager. Proposed Research Topic: The student investigate which are the primary problem pests for entomological collections and what are the most effective control measures. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Stewart's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Alliances for Minority Participation (AMP) Program. Taylor, David Clinton Mr. Taylor is from Huntsville, Texas. He is currently a Senior at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where he is majoring in Biological Sciences with a special interest in Bromeliaceae biogeography and systematics. Research Advisor: Dr. Harold Robinson, Curator. B.A. (1955) Ohio University; M.S. (1957) University of Tennessee; Ph.D. (1960) Duke University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will investigate systematic questions in the Bromeliad genus Pitcairnia by studying anatomy and sepal imbrication. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Taylor's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Theil, Diana Lynne - NON-PROGRAM STATUS Ms. Thiel is from State College, Pennsylvania. She is currently a Junior at the Unviersity of Delaware in Newark, Deleware where she is majoring in Geology with a particular interest in paleontology. Research Advisor: Dr. Brian Huber, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Foraminifera, Department of Paleobiology. B.A. (1981) University of Akron; M.S. (1984); Ph.D. (1988) Ohio State University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will study samples from intervals of oceanic anoxia during the mid-Cretaceous, about 100 million years ago. The samples will be analyzed for their stable isotopic content to determine the temperature and carbon 12 content of the ocean water at the time the organisms were living. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Thiel's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Program. Vigil, Valerie Angelita - canceled Ms. Vigil is from Las Cruces, New Mexico. She is currently a Senior at New Mexico State University in La Cruces, New Mexico where she is majoring in Biology. Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Pogue, Research Entomologist, USDA Systematics Laboratory. B.A. (1974) University of Colorado; M.S. (1981) University of Wyoming; Ph.D. (1986) University of Minnesota. Proposed Research Topic: The student will conduct a survey of a local population of microlepidoptera and compare the samples to historical data from the same area. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Vigil's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Alliances for Minority Participation (AMP) Program. Wack, Allison Nicole Ms. Wack is from Clarksburg, Maryland. She is currently a Junior at Randolf-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia majoring in Biology with a particular interest in Environmental Botany, especially Russian Botany. Research Advisor: Dr. Stanwyn Shetler, Curator Emeritus, Department of Botany. B.A. (1955), M.S. (1958) Cornell University; Ph.D. (1979) University of Michigan. Proposed Research Topic: Research investigations will concentrate on studies related to the flora of the Washington-Baltimore area. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Wack's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program - award number DBI-9531331. Weinbeer, Moritz Mr. Weinbeer is from Vaihingen, Germany. He is currently a Senior at Julius-Maximillan University Wuerzburg in Wuerzburg, Germany majoring in Tropical Biology and Animal Ecology with a particular interest in bats. Research Advisor: Dr. Charles Handley, Curator of Mammals, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Mammals. B.A. (1945) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1955) University of Michigan. Proposed Research Topic: A study of the bats of Bocas del Toro, Panama. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Weinbeer's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee. Yegorov, Maksim Eduardovich Mr. Yegorov is originally from Russia. He is currently a Freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he is majoring in Classical Languages and Literatures with a special emphasis in comparative linguistics. Research Advisor: Dr. Paul Taylor, Director, Asian Cultural History Program and Curator of Asian-European-Middle East Ethnology, Department of Anthropology. B.A. (1975) University of California; M.Phil. (1977) Ph.D. (1980) Yale University. Proposed Research Topic: The student will develop a method to field test the classification of dye plants, especially from Central Asia and particularly Kazakstan, by interpreting literature, language, and specimen collection information. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Mr. Yegorov's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee. Yoder, Cassady Jane Ms. Yoder is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is currently a Senior at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico anticipating graduation in May, 1998 with a degree in Anthropology. Research Advisor: Dr. Douglas Ubelaker Proposed Research Topic: The student will test the hypothesis that data from the fourth rib can be successfully applied to other ribs (2 - 12) to accurately estimate age at death in adults. The student will review existing literature to determine what has already been done in estimating age from fourth rib studies then follow up previous work by designing a study to investigate this problem using known age at death specimens from the Terry Collection. A preliminary manuscript summarizing the research will be due 24 July 1998 and the results will be presented to the Smithsonian community during a formal presentation session scheduled for July 27 - 28, 1998. Funding to support Ms. Yoder's participation in the Research Training Program is being provided by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
Research
Training Program
|
| NMNH Home | What's New ? | Calendar of Events | Information Desk | Search |
You are HERE. To continue select the next option.