 |
 |
| Highlights |
| |
|
| 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
|
27 May 2000 - 5 August 2000 A total of 22 students were selected to participate in the 2000 session of the Research Training Program including 4 international students representing Borneo, Colombia, Germany, and Guyana. Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary National Museum of Natural History Research
Training Program
* * * ARRIVAL * * * * Saturday, 27 May 2000 * 9:00 a.m. : Apartment inspection conducted by RTP staff * Apartments clean,
in good repair, and ready for move-in 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. : Apartment check-in Location: The Alexandria,
phone: 703-212-2664 Students: Report to the Rental Services Building for apartment registration, to pay telephone deposit, and to obtain security building and room keycards. All apartments are four-person occupancy, two bedroom, two bathroom units, with living room, kitchen, and complete cooking facilities. The Alexandria offers an apartment community built on 36 acres of land. The complex consists of 20 mid-rise (four-story) buildings with patios or balconies. A "basic intern package" is provided which includes standard cooking and eating utensils (e.g. pots, pans, plates, cups, flatware), telephone, linens (e.g. sheets, blankets, pillows, towels), television and microwave oven. Note: Apartments
are stocked with four copies of the RTP Reference Notebook - one for each
RTP participant. Extra copies are NOT available! Students are asked to
review the information, forms, and schedule of events provided in the
notebook before the Monday orientation meeting - and, are required to
bring this notebook (along with questions) to the Monday meeting. 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. : Apartment check-in continues 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. : PROGRAM SOCIAL - host: Anita Chapa Location: The Alexandria
Apartment Complex Topic: Welcome RTP students RTP staff will offer insight and advise about commuting, sites to see in the DC area, and making the most of all the RTP has to offer. Potluck picnic for students. Although not required, students are welcome to contribute specialty food items from their home. This is a great opportunity for everyone to informally meet and enjoy a fun afternoon. - - - N o t e s - - -
Week
1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 *
* * WEEK 1 * * * * Monday, 29 May 2000 (Memorial Day Holiday) * 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. : PROGRAM ORIENTATION - host: Mary Sangrey * * * RTP Reference Notebook Required! * * * 8:45 a.m. Arrival. Assemble at the Constitution Avenue lobby area entrance. PLEASE BE PROMPT! Receive a behind-the-scenes identification badge from security - requires that a photo ID be exchanged for a one-day SI badge. Please DO NOT use a passport for the photo ID exchange, unless you have NOTHING else! 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast. NHB, Constitution Avenue Lobby 9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Security briefing. Captain Chatman, Chief of Security, provides information and insights about security in the Natural History Building including:
Learn the answers
to these questions plus detailed information about procedures for working
evenings and weekends. 9:10 - 10:30 a.m. Facilities Tour - Natural History Building (NHB). Here is a quick-paced introduction to all parts of the building. There is much to see! Lots of walking and many stairs to climb. Limit baggage. Bring a notepad and pencil to record security access codes for doors and elevators. We don't expect you to remember how to find each location, but offer the tour as a companion to the map to help get you started in becoming independent in finding your way around. During the tour discover answers to:
11:00 - 12:30 a.m. Program Orientation / Completion of Registration Forms. Location: Botany
Library Topic: Everything
you ever wanted to know about the Research Training Program - here's the
chance to ask. - Forms to be completed:
- Required orientation information:
- Additional orientation requirements for foreign students:
- Other topics to be discussed:
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Group Question/Answer session. 1:00
- 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break Sodas, sandwiches,
chips, fruit and veggies provided. 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. ORIENTATION OPTION:
Orientation Readings & References: * Abbreviations &
Acronyms
- - -Orientation Notes - - - * Tuesday, 30 May 2000 * 8:30 a.m. : GROUP PHOTOGRAPH Location: NHB front
steps Photographer: Don Hurlbert (phone: 202-633-9116).
All RTP participants will meet with their research team for detailed orientation to their specific research facilities, to complete registration forms, and to obtain signatures. Advisors: Please include the location and information about:
Students: Be sure to get your advisor's signature on the "Intern Registration Form" and complete the "Project Description" section of this form!
Location: NMNH Office
of the Director Topic: Director's Social. An informal gathering of residents from the NMNH community plus members from funding organizations. Meet Dr. William Gordon, Program Director from the National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program and Dr. A. James Hicks, Program Director from the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program. Representatives from the Smithsonian Women's Committee are also anticipated. Light refreshments available.
1. Smithsonian Registration.
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. Photo ID.
4. Visa Confirmation. (foreign students only)
5. Notary
Public. (foreign students only) Meet with Notary Public to certify travel information and release payments.
Students: Review and copy forms, test the e-mail system, begin preparing the Project Proposal including the research supply/travel budget. * Wednesday, 31 May 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y
Students: Confirm that you have a computer to use and that you can read GroupWise e-mail on it. If you have questions, have them ready before the IT ORIENTATION this afternoon. Note: the RTP has four laptop computers available for one-day check-out.
Notes: Meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby. The group will divide into two sets of 12 each. Orientation includes two 1.5 hour sessions (1:00 - 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.). For those interested in individual instruction, a personalized workshop in the RTP Workroom from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. will follow the training sessions. SESSION I: Information Technology Services - 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Location: ADP Conference
Room Speaker: Kurt
Luginbyhl - software and intern liaison (phone: 202-357-1955) Panelists: Topic: NHB
Computer services/ facilities Meet the Automated Data Processing (ADP) staff. Learn how to communicate with your home/university e-mail account; how to access and use your Smithsonian e-mail account; review the Museum's internet browsing policies and virus protection requirements; see the common use computer facilities and receive instruction on converting computer files to film for your presentation, scanning documents and images, etc. At the conclusion of the IT Orientation all students should:
- - - * 2:00 p.m. : ITEM DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (5) "ADP Card
Reader Access Data Form" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES:
Location: Natural
History Branch Library Panelists: Anthropology - Maggie
Dittemore (phone: 202-357-1819) Topic: Smithsonian Libraries and the Natural History Branch In 1881 Spencer Fullerton
Baird, second Secretary of the Smithsonian, donated his library to the
"new" National Museum. That collection of books formed the core
of what has developed into one of the largest natural history collections
in the United States. The Smithsonian Institution Library (SIL) system, which includes the Natural History Branch, totals over 1 million volumes including rare books, current journals and reprints from around the world. The Natural History Branch is composed of 18 scientific specialty collections which are housed in locations throughout the NHB. The NHB system consists of a main location and subject-based sublocations including Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Sciences, Mollusks, Vertebrate Zoology, and Vertebrate Paleontology. The Natural History main location includes a collection of reference materials covering topics such as general biology, geology, paleontology, ecology, and conservation. With more than 215,000 volumes, the Natural History Branch Library provides services for over 500 museum staff plus countless international researchers. The Natural History Library is open from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Weekdays, Monday through Friday, and is closed evenings and weekends. Interlibrary loan services are available. NOTE: Library computers are dedicated systems reserved for library research. These are not general use computers. Common use computers are available in the ADP area. Meet the Library staff. Learn how to check-out books and journals; how to find newly published articles; review the Museum's inter-library loan policies and borrowing requirements; see the on-line card catalogue system and receive instruction on how to find specific references; etc. At the conclusion of the Library Orientation all students should:
(8) "SI Libraries Borrowing Registration/Authorization Form" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References & Readings: * National Museum of Natural History Branch Library
SESSION II - Part 2: Administration Orientation - 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. Location: Hall 27
Deck - RTP Area Topic: Working with administrative staff to maximize research. Research efforts are often supported by budget assistants and fund managers who oversee the purchasing and spending from research grant monies, including reporting balances and discrepancies.- The most effective researchers have learned to work with administrative support personnel to effectively communicate needs and obtain results. Learn the basics of how the Smithsonian system works, how to obtain and spend your research supply budget, and who can help you with your questions.
Location: RTP Workroom Speaker: Anita Chapa (phone: 202-786-9234) Topic: Using NMNH e-mail and other computer assistance Staff will be available for 15 minute personalized help sessions to assist students with their individual computer needs and questions including reviewing NMNH e-mail, communicating with distant computer systems, scanning, and slide processing.
* Thursday, 1 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH NOTE: RTP staff will be conducting site visits to check on "how things are going" and to photograph student/advisor teams for the "photo board" and RTP web site. * Friday, 2 June 2000 * - - - BOTANY - - - Botany is the science dedicated to the study of plants. Botanical research at the NMNH focuses on plant systematics in the broadest sense: taxonomy, nomenclature, comparative anatomy and morphology, ecology, evolutionary theory, and conservation biology. Both modern and fossil species of many plant groups, including algae, mosses, lichens, ferns, and flowering plants are currently being studied. Department research emphasizes field studies and utilizes the collections as a primary resource. Numerous floristic studies are under way, while others are aimed at elucidating evolutionary development, phylogeny, and the broad questions of classification. Publications include monographs on selected groups of plants, floras, checklists, and research papers addressing relevant biological and evolutionary questions. References: W. John Kress,
Botany Chairman
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speakers: Drs. Mark and Diane Littler. B.A. (1961), M.S. Ohio University; Ph.D. (1971) University of Hawaii. (phone: 202-357-3012). Topic: Recent Discoveries in Marine Botany. Drs. Mark and Diane Littler are marine scientists who have developed a unique husband and wife working relationship. Their mutual interests and aspirations in the field of marine botany provided the foundation from which two jointly productive research careers have been based. Their research has taken them around the globe, including field research in the Belize Barrier Reef Islands, French Polynesia and Galapagos Islands. They have collectively published more than 100 research papers. As a team, the Littlers' research interests are directed toward the stability of marine ecosystems, the productivity and evolution of marine plants and the analysis of plant morphology as a method of predicting its ecological role in the reef community. In 1983 they generated excitement in the scientific community with their discovery of the deepest plant life ever collected from the ocean. The crustose red alga was found in the Bahamas at a depth of 880 feet. This discovery extended the depth distribution limits of marine plants and challenged established theories concerning the minimum light levels necessary to maintain plant growth. In 1994 they discovered a new pathogen of reef building algae - "CLOD" - that threatens Pacific coral reefs. Other recent discoveries include "Black Band Disease" - which appears to be a bacteria first found in the Cook Islands. Readings & References: * Littler, M.M., D.S.
Littler, S.M. Blaire, and J.N. Norris. 1985. Deepest known plant life
discovered on an uncharted seamount. Science 227: 57-59.
Tour Guide: Greg McKee (phone: 202-357-1590) Topic: The U.S. National Herbarium - - - Explore the US National Herbarium. See the "Botany Best" collection and learn why museum plant collections are important. - - - See the smallest known terrestrial fern and learn why we continue to revisit well collected sites. - - - Learn about how we manage security for the "drug" plants. - - - View the algae greenhouse. - - - Hold a specimen of the largest pine cone and biggest seed. - - - Discover plants that grow IN rocks. - - - Examine a specimen of Welwitschia, known only from desert areas of southwestern Africa. This Gymnosperm, in the class Gnetinae, is probably the most bizarre of vascular plants. It produces just two long leaves during its lifetime, which may last as long as a century. The leaves, which have a basal meristem, keep growing, breaking off at the distal ends and splitting lengthwise. Also on display: phylogeny of the paper clip, yes, that's right! The United States National Herbarium (US) was founded in 1848, when the first collections were accessioned from the United States Exploring Expedition (50,000 specimens of 10,000 species). Current holdings total 4.5 million specimens from worldwide locations including 90,000 type specimens, making this collection among the ten largest in the world representing about 8% of the plant collection resources of the United States. An average of 40,000 specimens are added to the collection each year. The Department maintains
an extremely active loan and exchange program. About 50,000 specimens
are lent annually to other institutions around the world and an additional
20,000 specimens are exchanged. Approximately 200 researchers visit the
herbarium each year. The collection encompasses
all major groups of plants (bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms)
as well as algae (esp. marine algae and diatoms) and lichens. The fungi
were transferred to the National Fungus Collection (BPI). The scope of
the collection is worldwide, but with special strengths in the neotropics,
North America, Pacific oceanic islands, the Philippines, and the Indian
subcontinent. Many of the plant
groups represented in the U.S. National Herbarium rank among the finest
and/or largest in the world. The flowering plant families of Acanthaceae,
Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Gesneriaceae, Melastomataceae, and Poaceae have
benefited from a long history of research and study as well as current
specialist support. Other flowering plant groups that enjoy active support include Araceae, Commelinaceae, Onagraceae, Passifloraceae, Sapindaceae, Sterculiaceae, Theaceae, and Zingiberales. Other important collection resources of the US National Herbarium include a wood collection, maintained at the MSC, that numbers over 43,000 specimens and microslides of wood sections, and a pollen and spore reference collection of over 7,500 microslides. Readings & References: * The Department of
Botany
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. DEMONSTRATION Location: Plant Anatomy
Laboratory Instructor: Stan Yankowski (phone: 202-357-2338) Topic: Plant Histology The Plant Anatomy Laboratory highlights the Wonderful World of Plant Microtechnique. Learn about why anatomy is useful in taxonomic research and especially about the methods that reveal anatomical structure and cellular organization in plants. This is an opportunity to observe and discuss techniques while they are being demonstrated. The session features microtomy, whole mount clearing, critical point drying, light microscopy and photomicrography. On display are examples from the wood collection and the botanical anatomical reference slide collection. Plant histology techniques including whole mount clearings, paraffin embedding and sectioning, freezing microtome sectioning, critical point drying, and photo micrography will be demonstrated.
Location: Botany
Fern Counter instructors: Debbie Bell
(phone: 202-357-2795) Topic: Plant Processing, mounting & preserving Watch as specimens are prepared for encorporation in to the herbarium. Plant pressing and mounting will be demonstrated. On display are examples of specimens showing different mounting and preservation techniques.
Location: Botany
Library Topic: Meet the NHB Botany Community Light refreshments will be available. Members from the NMNH Botany community will gather to discuss their research interests.
Location: Fern Counter Instructor: Alice Tangerini (phone: 202-357-1517) Topic: Botanical Scientific Illustration On display are examples
of illustrations showing different methods of botanical illustration and
the steps required to progress from concept to published illustration.
Illustration tools, including camera lucida use, will be demonstrated
and interested participants will be given the opportunity to experiment
with the various illustration equipment and techniques. * Saturday, 3 June 2000 * 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. : FIELD TRIP - host: Chad Schennum * * * Advisors and their families are welcome. * * * Location: Scientists Cliffs, Maryland From The Alexandria Apartment Complex, Alexandria, VA: Take Van Dorn Street to Capitol Beltway (over the Wilson Bridge) take exit 11 to Md. Rt. 4 South. Follow Md. Rt. 4 to Prince Frederick Md. Rt. 231 (traffic light); continue through light to second traffic light; just past second light turn left onto Parkers Creek Road; turn right onto Scientists Cliffs Road; turn right at Gate B; at the fork go left to Chestnut Cabin (if too far you will exit back to Scientists Cliffs Road at Gate C). Guides: Dave Bohaska
(phone: 202-357-2052) Topic: Paleobiology - Calvert Cliffs formation Located on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, the "Calvert Cliffs" were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. The cliffs dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay extending for more than thirty miles; from Fairhaven (Anne Arundel County, MD) to near Drum Point (Calvert County, MD). They are considered the best marine Miocene (Miocene Epoch, 25 million to 6.5 million years ago) deposit in the world. Three formations are recognized in the cliffs; from oldest to youngest, the Calvert, Choptank, and St. Marys Formations. These have been further subdivided into Members and Beds. Because of the gentle dip (about 11 feet per mile) of the deposits to the southeast, different Beds are exposed at different localities, containing different sediment types and fossils. The cliffs and beaches have been collected and studied from Colonial times to the present. Over 600 species of fossils have been identified from these cliffs including the "Maryland State Fossil" Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae Wilson. The most visible fossils are mollusk shells, with some beds so densely packed that they are described as "shell beds." The most popular fossils are the sharks' teeth. Other fossils include microscopic plants and animals, macroscopic plants, corals, barnacles, crabs, sand dollars, sea urchins, bony fish, rays, crocodiles, turtles, birds, terrestrial mammals, and marine mammals. Many fossils have Calvert Cliffs as their type locality and some have been found nowhere else. The Calvert Cliffs region is also home to two Federally threatened species of tiger beetle; Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis (Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle) and Cicindela puritana (Puritan Tiger Beetle) which live on the broad, sandy beaches at approximately ten locations in Virginia and Maryland including four populations in Calvert County. Itinerary: 8:30 a.m. Meet at
The Alexandria Residences Services Building 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Student Option Readings & References: * A key to the common
genera of neocene shark teeth
* Sunday, 4 June 2000 * OPEN -
- - Week 1 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 2 * * * * Monday, 5 June 2000 * - - - ANTHROPOLOGY - - - Anthropology is the study of the origins, physical characteristics, and cultural developments of humankind. Research at the NMNH encompasses archaeological, ethnological, linguistic and physical anthropological research across worldwide locations. The archaeological, ethnological, and physical collections of the Department include over two million specimens from all parts of the world. The anthropology skeletal collections number among the most assembled in the world and represent a variety of populations including hundreds of specimens of known age and sex of modern populations. References: Caroline
Rose, Anthropology Chairman
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Douglas Ubelaker, Curator, Physical Anthropology. B.A. (1968), Ph.D. (1973) University of Kansas. (phone: 202-786-2505). Topic: Forensic Anthropology What can human remains tell you about a person's life? Although many think of bones as solid, immutable structures, they actually change throughout life in response to various influences such as nutrition, injury, and disease. If Doug Ubelaker were to examine a set of bones they would paint a detailed picture of the person's life--and possibly death. Frequently called upon by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement officials, Ubelaker is among the nation's leading experts in forensic anthropology, the science of identifying individuals from their skeletal remains and detecting evidence of trauma and foul play. Readings & References:
Notes: Those interested in joining the tour need to gather at the Constitution Avenue entrance to meet the MSC shuttle for travel to the facility. The shuttle departs promptly every hour a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You are HERE. To continue select the next option.
Location:
Fern Counter
Dead,
usually various shades of brown, pressed and dried plants, generally mounted
on 11" x 17" sheets of paper may not have the initial appeal
of furry mammals or brightly colored bird skins but bring your hand lens
or take advantage of the dissecting microscopes available - herbarium
collections hold many wondrous characters, it just takes a discerning
eye to see the intricate beauty, patterns, and uniqueness.
1:45
- 2:30 p.m. DEMONSTRATION