26
May 2001 - 4 August 2001
A total of 18 students were selected
to participate in the 2001 session of the Research
Training Program including 3 international
students representing Brazil, Canada, and Yugoslavia.
Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary
Student
Abstracts |
Photo
Gallery
The
Ethics Discussion
Research
Training Program
Project Summaries
(Click on
the name below to go to the individual project
summary page.)
Meet
the 2001 participants
and read about their research projects
Back
row (left to right)
Katarina Topalov, Anastasia "Stacie"
Poulos, Matt Friedman, Michael Holcomb, Trevor
Krabbenhoft, Jeff Saarela, Laura Holladay,
Yana Reid, Alexandre Ribeiro.
Front
row (left to right)
Sharon Wilson, Dawn Stodden, Erin DiMaggio,
Ainsley Seago, Marita Davison, Abigail "Abby"
Knee, Yolanda Chacon, Courtney Porreca, Shannon
Schwaller, and Julianne Rowehl.
In
addition to our research reports, be sure to
check out our personal summaries
about our summer at the Smithsonian.
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Hispanic.
- Institution:
New Mexico State University.
- Status:
Sophomore.
- Major:
Biology.
Career
Goals:
After graduate school achieve a career
in either Ornithology or Medicine.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Yolanda is finishing an
undergraduate degree at New Mexico State
University. She recently presented a poster
explaining the results of her RTP research
at The American Biomedical Research Conference
for Minority Students. She plans to attend
graduate school and maybe even study birds
- much to the delight of her RTP research
advisor Carla Dove!
|
Yolanda
J. Chacon
Project
Advisor: Dr. Carla J. Dove, Department of Systematic
Biology, Division of Birds.
Project
Title: Microscopic
feather character analysis of the cranes, rails
and allies (Avian Order: Gruiformes).
Research
Abstract: Twenty-six feather characters
(both micro- and macroscopic) of 12 species
of birds within the avian order Gruiformes (cranes,
rails and allies) were described, photographed
and then investigated using parsimony analysis
to determine if feather characters in this group
of birds provide phylogenetic signal.
Feather
characters were analyzed separately and in combination
with mitochondrial 12S rDNA data (Houde, MS
in prep) and resulting trees were compared.
Strict consensus of two trees obtained from
feather characters (TL= 91, CI= 0.68, RI= 0.59,
RC= 0.40) shows that these characters have indices
comparable to the tree obtained from molecular
characters (TL= 2147, CI= 0.53, RI= 0.38, RC=
0.20). However, the resulting feather and DNA
trees agree only in some terminal taxa relationships.
Although
the rails (Rallus, Laterallus) are sister
to each other according to both datasets, the
DNA characters place Sungrebe (Heliornis)
as the closest relative to rails whereas the
feather characters place Mesitornis (roatelo)
as the sister to that group. The strict consensus
feather trees and the DNA tree are congruent
in the relationship of Cariama (seriema)
to Choriotis (bustard). Grus (crane)
and Aramus (Limpkin) are in the same
clade according to both trees, however feather
characters place Heliornis within that
clade instead of Psophia (trumpeter)
as is suggested by DNA characters. The DNA tree
does not resolve the status of Mesitornis
but rather places this taxon as an outgroup
to the main clade. A single tree of all combined
characters resulted in a tree with indices of
TL= 2086, CI=0.54, RI= 0.42, RC=0.23 and was
more similar to the tree obtained from the DNA
characters.
Although
more research is needed on the feather characters
in this group of birds, this study provides
evidence that feather characters produce trees
that cluster into 'natural groupings' in parsimony
analysis and supports the idea that these characters
can be useful for feather identification and
phylogenetic analysis.
Publication:
Chacon, Y.J, and Dove, C.J, In Prep.
(To be submitted in summer 2002) Microscopic
feather character analysis of the cranes, rails
and allies (Order: Gruiformes). Proposed for
publication in the Wilson Bulletin.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
-
Gender:
Female
- Ethnicity/Race:
White
- Institution:
University of Michigan.
- Status:
Freshman.
- Major:
Geology.
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D. in Geological
Sciences, pursue a career as a volcanologist.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Erin is still an undergraduate
student at the University of Michigan.
She spent the summer of '02 serving an
internship with NASA at the Jet Propulsion
Lab in Pasadena, California, specifically
focused on the Martian Exploration Program
with Arwen Vidal (1999).
|
Erin
N. DiMaggio
Project
Advisor: Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen, Department
of Mineral Sciences.
Project
Title: Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite
Research
Abstract: Metavolcanic rocks can be powerful
tools for documenting the complex histories
of multiple episodes of fluid-rock interaction
in long-lived arc crust. The Duck Lake area
of the Mammoth Crest, eastern California, is
part of a lithotectonic assemblage exposed along
the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada. Meta-rhyolite
tuffs at Duck Lake show complex K, Na, and Ca
systematics and disequilibrium feldspar phase
relations that reflect a superposed history
of contrasting metasomatic systems.
Using
cathodoluminescence and mineral and whole rock
compositions, a reconstruction of the metasomatic
system's history was prepared. Cathodoluminescence
petrography shows igneous phenocryst and ground
mass feldspar completely replaced by near-end-member
orthoclase (Or>95 after sanidine) and or
albite (Ab>95 after plagioclase).
These
textures resemble those of nearby meta-tuffs
in the Ritter Range Pendent (on strike, 20 km
NW) and of unmetamorphosed Tertiary tuffs (Creede,
CO, Socorro, NM) that have undergone low temperature
K- or K/Na- metasomatism. In those rocks alkali
alteration occurred soon after deposition. These
early features are overprinted by Ca-metasomatism
that is manifested by calcite veins and grossular
+ epidote veins with calcic plagioclase (An80-100)
vein envelopes. The early pseudomorphs of phenocrysts
and groundmass feldspar are replaced by calcic
plagioclase in this event. Whole-rock geochemistry
shows concomitant gains of Ca and Sr and loss
of Na. CaO/Na2O for tuff samples ranges to 13,
a value >6 times that of unaltered ashflow
tuffs. K/Na values for Duck Lake tuffs are similar
to those seen in the Ritter Range, Creede, and
Socorro, but display distinct slopes on plots
of K/Na versus Rb/Sr.
Textures
indicate that Ca was sourced by hydrothermal
fluid derived from carbonates, probably locally.
The Ca-rich silicate veins cut metamorphic fabrics
that Tobisch et al. (2000) regionally attributed
to batholith emplacement, indicating Ca-metasomatism
occurred during retrograde phases of contact
metamorphism. Evidently, as seen in many ore
deposits, cooling contact metamorphic systems
can be accompanied by large amounts of mass
transfer.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
University of Rochester.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Biology and Geology.
Career
Goals: After obtaining a Ph.D.
in paleontology, achieve a career as a
university professor conducting research
on extinct and extant fishes.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Matthew
S. Friedman
Project
Advisors: Dr. James C. Tyler and Dr. G. David
Johnson, Department of Systematic Biology, Division
of Fishes.
Project
Title: A putative lampridiform
from the Oligocene of Peru.
Research
Abstract: A nearly complete
fish skull and two associated vertebrae (USNM
494403) from the Mancora Formation (Oligocene)
of Peru is tentatively identified as a lampridiform
and its osteology is described.
Though
no synapomorphic characters are observed that
definitively place the specimen within the order
Lampridiformes, features of the anterior portions
of the skull suggest that a lampridiform synapomorphy
may have been present in life. This feature,
combined with numerous similarities of uncertain
polarity found in both the fossil and recognized
lampridiform taxa, suggests that cautious placement
of the specimen within the order Lampridiformes
is warranted.
Other
characters in the fossil, notably the position
of the foramen magnum relative to the exoccipital
condyles, presence of a supraoccipital crest,
and a well-developed first vertebra, exclude
the 5 taeniosomous families of higher lampridiforms
as well as the bathysomous Lamprididae, allowing
for placement of the specimen within the Veliferoidei,
the most basal suborder.
This
specimen is the only fossil lampridiform known
from South America. Given the pelagic habit
of all extant members of the Lampridiformes,
as well as a billfish fossil from the same locality,
it seems likely that the Mancora formation was
deposited in a deep-water, offshore environment.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Native American.
- Institution:
University of Idaho.
- Status:
Sophomore.
- Major:
Biology and Chemistry.
Career
Goals: After
obtaining a Ph.D., achieve a position
in an academic institution conducting
research and courses on coral reef biology.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Michael
C. Holcomb
Project
Advisors: Dr. John Pandolfi and Dr. Ian
Macintyre, Department of Paleobiology.
Project
title: Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification.
Research
Abstract: Recent work has shown the Montastrea
annularis species complex to consist of
at least three extant species. These species
can be distinguished using several techniques,
however, in death assemblages and fossilized
material, identification using conventional
techniques is problematic. Many of the characteristics
commonly used depend upon having whole colonies,
or unabraded corallite surfaces.
Characteristics
measured using X-radiographs were investigated
for their potential to distinguish both modern
and fossil members of the M. annularis
complex. Characteristics showing significant
differences among the species included: maximum
corallite growth angle, band intensity, growth
rate, fan length, corallite angle along the
growth axis, budding angles, and colony curvature.
These characteristics are much less prone to
loss due to taphonomic processes than are many
more conventional ones.
These
results suggest that X-radiographs may serve
as useful tools for separating members of the
M. annularis complex. Considerable geographic
and/or temporal variation was noted as well
as interspecific variation.
Publication:
Holcomb, M., Pandolfi, J.M., Macintyre,
I.G., and Budd, A.F. In prep. Potential use
of X-radiographs to distinguish members of the
Montastraea annularis species complex.
Proposed for publication in Coral Reefs.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White
- Institution:
The University of Michigan
- Status:
Recent graduate
- Major:
Geological Sciences
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D., become a professor
or researcher at an academic institution.
Funding:
This student's participation in the summer
2001 Research Training Program was supported
by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's
Committee to provide an opportunity for
international students and graduating
seniors to participate in the program.
|
Holladay,
Laura:
Project
Advisor: Dr. Brian Huber, Department of Paleobiology.
Project
Title: Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis
Research
Abstract: Middle to late Eocene species
of the planispiral planktonic foraminiferal
genus Pseudohastigerina include P.
micra and P. naguewichensis, which
are widely recognized and easily distinguished
species. Less readily distinguished are Pseudohastigerina
acutimarginata, which resembles P. micra
but has a more pinched peripheral margin, and
a previously unrecognized morphotype that resembles
P. micra in its early ontogeny but becomes
more evolute later in its ontogeny.
To
test whether or not these latter forms should
be synonymized under P. micra, we obtained
high resolution X-radiograph images of specimens
mounted in axial and edge views to characterize
ontogenetic changes in shell and chamber size
and shell coiling. Populations of Pseudohastigerina
were selected from a geographic array of sites
and from several stratigraphic levels within
the middle and upper Eocene. The biometric analyses
demonstrate significant differences in chamber
growth trajectories, chamber coiling, maximum
test size, and roundness of the ultimate chamber
face between populations of P. naguewichensis
and the other three pseudohastigerinid morphotypes.
Populations assigned to P. micra and
P. acutimarginata are statistically indistinguishable
in all coiling and size measurements, and comparison
of ultimate chamber roundness shows a continuous
range of circular to peripherally elongate shapes.
The strongly evolute pseudohastigerinids are
similar to P. micra in all measured features
except final chamber number and maximum test
size.
We
conclude that P. micra and P. acutimarginata
are synonymous and probably represent ecophenotypes,
whereas the evolute pseudohastigerinid forms
are closely related to P. micra but may
represent a new species. Stable isotope data
will also be analyzed in order to infer the
depth ecologies of the various morphotypes.
Publication:
(1):
Holladay, L. and Huber, B. In prep. (to
be submitted to the Journal of Foraminiferal
Research in fall 2001) Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis.
(2):
Results will be incorporated into the Atlas
of Eocene Foraminifera (Huber, B. et al., in
prep.).
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
University of Rhode Island.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Marine Biology.
Career
Goals: After
earning a Ph.D., achieve a career focused
on research in systematics and ecology
of marine invertebrates.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Abby is in graduate school
at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program, working
toward a PhD in Biological Oceanography
under the direction of Ken Halanych
|
Abigail
J. Knee
Project
Advisor: Dr. Kristian Fauchald, Department of
Systematic Biology, Division of Worms.
Project
Title: A cladistic analysis
of the scale worm genus Halosydna.
Research
Abstract: Historically, the annelid class
Polychaeta, the bristleworms, has been wrought
with misclassifications. The taxon has been
presumed polyphyletic. Research focused on monophyly
as a defining characteristic of clades has been
problematic.
Within
the polychaetes, the polynoid family of marine
worms has particularly mystified taxonomists
as this taxon resulted from the systematic removal
of monophyletic groupings of scale worms from
the former family encompassing them all.
The
family Polynoidae consists of scale worms linked
by the presence of scales and do not fit with
the extracted taxa. Using cladistics and the
premise that species represent descent with
modification from a common ancestor, this research
sought to determine the evolutionary relationships
within the polynoid genus Halosydna Kinberg
1855 and in relation to its sister taxa.
The
states of 88 morphological characteristics were
described for eighteen species: eight species
associated either historically or currently
with Halosydna and ten species of closely
related scale worms. Data was entered using
the software DELTA and NDE. With this data,
the computer software program PAUP produced
44 branching trees of relatedness revealing
the most parsimonous paths of speciation based
on the synapomorphies of the species.
Analysis
of some cladograms in TREEVIEW revealed a grouping
of Halosydna species within a monophlyletic
clade, while those species removed to the genus
Halosydnella fall out along various lines
of descent.
Another
notable pattern was the close grouping of Halosydna
brevisetosa and H. leucohyba, proposed
to be synonymous with each other. The resolution
in the ingroup can now be further discussed
so as to lead to evolutionary clarifications.
In the course of the study, two undescribed
species, H. augeneri and H. riojai,
also were discovered in the NMNH worm collection,
previously isolated by M. Pettibone but unpublished.
The descriptions of these two species are to
be submitted in the next year for publication
in the Proceedings of the Biological Society
of Washington.
Publication:
Knee, A.J. and K. Fauchald. In Prep.
A cladistic analysis of the genus Halosydna
(Annelida: Polychaeta: Polynoidae), with a description
of two new species: H. augeneri and H.
riojai. Proceedings of the Biological Society
of Washington.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
North Dakota State University.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Zoology.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Trevor
J. Krabbenhoft
Project
Title: Species-level systematics
of the genus Symphurus (Cynoglossidae:
Pleuconectiformes) of the western Pacific.
Research
Abstract: The new species, described from
82 specimens collected during the Albatross
expeditions around the Philippine Archipelago
in 1909, is characterized by a combination of
characters including fin-ray counts, vertebral
counts, and pigmentation features.
The
new species has a predominant 1-2-2 pattern
of interdigitation of dorsal pterygiophores
and neuralspines and 14 caudal-fin rays.
The
new species is most similar to S. woodmasoni,
but differs drastically in its pigmentation.
Publication:
Krabbenhoft, T. and T. Munroe. In prep.
A new Cynoglossid Flatfish (Symphurus: Cynoglossidae:
Pleuronectiformes) from Deep-waters of the Philippine
Archipelago. Copeia.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
University of New Mexico.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Anthropology and Geology.
Career
Goals: After
obtaining a Ph.D., secure a position at
a university teaching archaeology and
conducting archaeological research.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Courtney attended the
annual archaeology meetings (67th Annual
Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology,
Denver, 2002) and gave a paper on her
RTP research.
|
Courtney
A. Porreca
Project
Advisor: Dr. J. Daniel
Rogers, Department of Anthropology.
Project
Title: Paste Composition
and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics.
Research
Abstract: Archaeological ceramics provide
a wealth of information about prehistoric cultures,
including their technology. Prehistoric technology
can also provide information on cultural traditions,
lineages, and interactions, providing a broad
picture of past cultures. Often the composition
of the clay mixture used to make the pottery
reflects technological choices made by the potter.
This
study examines the relationship of this mix
of ingredients and the intended use of the pottery
from a period of almost 2,000 years on the Caribbean
island of Nevis. To examine the clay mixture,
a microscope was used to view cross sections
of cut pottery sherds. The larger particles
were identified and counted, and the form or
shape of the vessel was used to infer its function.
The time period or phase from which the vessels
date was also a variable. The data was then
analyzed to determine the relationship, if any,
between the way the pottery was made and its
intended use.
The
results of this analysis show substantial continuity
in the types and numbers of the inclusions across
the different vessel functions as well as time
periods. The same pattern emerged when the styles
of surface treatments, for example painting
or incising, were compared with the intended
use of the pottery vessel. From this information,
it can be concluded that the clay mixture of
the ceramics from Nevis, as determined by counting
the inclusions, is not directly related to either
the intended function of the vessel or the decorative
style. This is significant because it indicates
a basic technological continuity on Nevis for
almost 2,000 years despite theories of major
cultural interaction due to migrations from
mainland South America.
Future
work that would provide more insight concerning
this issue might include comparisons of the
clay used to make the pottery to that of raw
clay samples from the island, or comparing the
overall Nevis ceramic collection to collections
from other Caribbean islands.
Publication:
Porreca, C. A. and J. D. Rogers. In prep.
Paste Composition and Vessel Function: A Case
Study of Caribbean Ceramics. Journal of American
Archaeology.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
University of Maryland.
- Status:
Non-graduating
Senior.
-
Major:
Anthropology and Art History.
Career
Goals: After
earning a Ph.D., attain a career as a
research scientist at a museum focused
on fieldwork in the Near East, with a
concentration on archaeometric studies.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Stacy is currently in graduate
school at the University of Pennsylvania
studying Classics.
|
Anastasia
L. Poulos
Project
Advisor: Dr. Melinda Zeder, Curator of Zooarchaeology,
Department of Anthropology.
Project
Title: The Hunting of
Gazella subgutturosa by Early Domesticators
in the Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild
and Domestic Animal Remains in the Archaeological
Record.
Research
Abstract: The method of developing sex-specific
age curves for domestic goat and sheep remains
from archaeological sites has proved valid in
identifying a kill-off profile that is representative
of either domestication or hunting practices
of people 10,000 years ago.
The
application of this technique to the study of
wild, hunted gazelle remains has further reinforced
the potential for this kind of metric study,
which is based on sexual dimorphism and fusion
rates. Modern gazelle specimens were measured
as a means of calibrating the degree of sexual
dimorphism of the gazelle. Sexual dimorphism
proved to be a dominant factor in the size of
various bones. Regional variation was also strongly
prevalent in the specimens; however, the ratio
of male to female remained consistent and replicated
the ratio of sexual dimorphism found in studies
of modern goat and sheep.
This
regional variation was found to be present in
the archaeological record as well. Thousands
of gazelle specimens were analyzed from archaeological
sites throughout the highland and lowland regions
of the Zagros in Iran û Ali Kosh, Asiab,
Sarab, Guran, Palegawra, M'lefaat, and Jarmo.
A comparison of the sex-specific survivorship
curves derived from the archaeological data
of hunted gazelle with that of domestic remains
was a startling contrast. Domestic goats and
sheep replicated a similar pattern of domestication
practice to that of the previously studied site
of domestication, Ganj Dareh, whereas the gazelle
specimens gave strong evidence of a less specific
selection in their hunt. The hunters focused
more haphazardly, although there does seem to
be a trend for the selection of bigger and older
males, interspersed with female and young, which
contrasts with the focused selection of young
males for kill by the domesticators.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Native American.
- Institution:
Haskell Indian Nations University.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Biology with emphasis in Chemistry.
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D., become a research
scientist in the field of Ichthyology.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
Update
- December 2002: Yana spent the summer
at OTS in Costa Rica and is now back in
school. The results from her RTP research
were recently submitted for publication.
|
Yana
R. Reid
Project
Advisor: Dr. Ron Heyer, Curator, Department
of Systematic Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, DIvision
of Amphibians and Reptiles.
Project Title: Analysis
of advertisement calls in the genetically diverse
frog taxon currently
known as Leptodactylus fuscus.
Research
Abstract: The focus of this
project was to analyze the advertisement calls
of the Leptodactylus fuscus.
Although
morphologically very similar, previous electrophoretic
analysis demonstrated the likelihood that this
taxon contains more than one species. Using
call analysis with Canary software along with
the statistical application of SYSTAT, the call
variation was quantified throughout the geographic
range of L. fuscus.
Previous
study of genetic differentiation in L. fuscus
demonstrated that there was genetic partitioning
among population units consistent with multiple
species, rather than a single species, characterizing
the unit currently understood as L. fuscus.
Data were analyzed for 32 individual frogs from
24 localities throughout the distributional
range of Leptodactylus fuscus. Data was
taken on 10 calls for each frog (for those recordings
with 10 or more calls). The data taken were
call rate, call duration, carrier frequency,
beginning frequency, ending frequency, frequency
sweep, and temporal characterization of the
waveform. Call rate, call duration, carrier
frequency, ending frequency, and frequency sweep
demonstrated a correlation with temperature
and these parameters were standardized to 25C
for further analysis.
Beginning
frequency did not demonstrate a correlation
with temperature. Multidimensional scaling analysis
of our data indicated that frogs from the same
locality showed the same kind of variation as
frogs from different localities. The advertisement
call data support the single species hypothesis
in Leptodaactylus fuscus. Our study demonstrates
that speciation in frogs is not always accompanied
by differentiation of advertisement calls.
Project Summary
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Foreign, Hispanic.
|
Alexandre
Cunha Ribeiro
Universidade de São Paulo
Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Richard
P. Vari, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientists
Department of Systematic Biology
Division of Fishes
"It was a great experience
working in my favorite
field, Phylogenetic
Biogeography, in one of
the best museums."
Phylogeny of the genus Oligosarcus Günther:
A preliminary survey
The
genus Oligosarcus comprises 16 species
that occur in most of the major drainages of
the south central portions of South America.
Members of the genus are small to mid-sized
fishes (about 40 to 200 mm) occurring mainly
in streams. With the exception of O. schindleri,
collected from a tributary of Río Charape
which flows into the Rio Madeira of the Amazon
basin, all Oligosarcus species occur
outside the Rio Amazonas basin and no species
of the genus have been collected north of 15º
S (Menezes, 1988). Little ecological information
on Oligosarcus is available although
life history studies of a few species report
that they range from omnivores to fish predators.
Information on intrageneric relationships for
Oligosarcus was effectively nonexistent
and biogeographic hypotheses as a consequence
were not grounded on phylogenetic information.
Data from a series of osteological systems examined
demonstrates that the genus is monophyletic,
provides insight into likely sister groups to
Oligosarcus, and partially resolves the
interrelationships within the genus. The results
of this study indicate that the fragmentation
of the genus Oligosarcus into mostly
allopatric species is congruent with a hypothesis
of speciation associated with somewhat recent
vicariant events as evidenced by the lack of
sympatry between sister groups, a situation
contrary to that in many other fish species
in that region. The sister-group relationship
between O. pintoi and O. planaltinae
suggested by the results is consistent with
the idea that the High-Paraná is a endemic
area. However, the recognition of "lowland
species" and "plateau species"
groups as postulated by Menezes (1988) is not
supported by the phylogeny, since some of the
"plateau species" are more closely
related to a subunit, but not all of the "lowland
species."
This
research was supported by the Alice Eve Kennington
Endowment.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
- Institution:
Southampton College, Southampton, NY
- Status:
Graduated in 2001
- Major:
Marine Science with a Biology concentration
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D., become a research
scientist at a major university and study
the ecology of estuarine or reef fish.
Funding:
This student's participation in the summer
2001 Research Training Program was supported
by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's
Committee to provide an opportunity for
international students and graduating
seniors to participate in the program.
|
Rowehl,
Julianne
Project
Advisors: Dr. Carole Baldwin, Dr. Lynne Parenti,
Dr. Victor Springer; Division of Fishes
Project
Title: Identification
of Galapagos Entomacrodus (Teleostei:
Blennidae) with comments on relationships within
the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group
Research
Abstract: Documenting biodiversity is important
for understanding the complexity of ecosystems,
as a foundation for future conservation decisions,
and for understanding evolution in a historical
context. Comparative morphological studies provide
the basis for recognizing biological diversity.
These studies involve careful comparisons of
the anatomy of organisms, including superficial
features and internal structures such as bones
and cartilage. When a population of animals
belonging to a known genus is discovered in
a geographical area in which the genus has not
been recorded previously, morphological comparisons
with other known species of the genus are needed
to identify the new population. In this study,
fish of the tropical blenny genus Entomacrodus
were collected from the Galapagos Islands in
the eastern Pacific Ocean. This fish has never
been reported from Galapagos. A comparative
morphological study was performed, and the fish
was identified as Entomacrodus chiostictus,
a widespread species in the eastern Pacific.
A study was then performed to examine relationships
of 10 fish species within this genus. The main
differences between the species in the genus
are the coloration patterns, and detailed comparisons
of numerous external and internal features in
this study revealed few other differences. Color
patterns are usually extremely important in
fish because the females and males often recognize
each other on the basis of these patterns. It
has been hypothesized that Entomacrodus
originated in the central Pacific Ocean and
moved eastward to the eastern Pacific and Atlantic.
Results of this study support a Pacific origin
of the genus and suggest a close relationship
among Atlantic members of the genus and E.
chiostictus. Because the 10 species studied
are so similar to one another anatomically,
hypotheses of relationships within the group
(based on morphology) are not well supported.
Molecular data may provide more insight into
the evolution of this fish genus.
Publication:
None
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Foreign, White.
- Institution:
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada
- Status:
B. Sc. (Hons.) - 2000
- Major:
Botany
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D., become a professor
at a university and conduct research in
plant systematics.
Funding:
This student's participation in the summer
2001 Research Training Program was supported
by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's
Committee to provide an opportunity for
international students and graduating
seniors to participate in the program.
|
Saarela,
Jeffery Michael
Project
Advisors: Dr. Paul M. Peterson, Curator of Grasses,
Department of Systematic Biology - Botany
Dr. Robert Soreng, Research Associate, Department
of Systematic Biology - Botany;
Project
Title: The taxonomy of
Brachyelytrum (Poaceae).
Research
Abstract: The Taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
(Poaceae). Brachyelytrum, commonly known
as long-awned wood grass, is a small native
grass genus occurring in eastern North America
and eastern Asia that grows in deciduous and
mixed-coniferous forests. Workers in the past
have recognized variation in the genus at the
species, subspecies and varietal levels. Macromorphological
and phytogeographical data support the recognition
of three distinct species in Brachyelytrum.
Brachyelytrum japonicum, distributed
throughout southern Japan and eastern Korea,
is characterized by narrow leaves [(0.5 0.7(0.8)
mm], long first glumes [(0.2)(0.4-1.6)(2.0)
mm] and long rachillas [((6.8)7.2-8.4(8.8) mm].
Brachyelytrum erectum is distributed
throughout the eastern United States from northwestern
Minnesota south to central Louisiana, east to
northern Florida and north to northeastern New
York. It tends to be a larger plant in many
characters with respect to B. aristosum,
and is characterized by longer hispid hairs
on the lemma [(0.2)0.4-0.8(0.9) mm] and wide
lemmas [(0.8)1.1-1.5(1.8) mm]. Brachyelytrum
aristosum has a more northerly distribution,
occurring in southern Canada from southern Ontario
east to Newfoundland, the northern adjacent
United States and south through the Appalachian
mountains to northwestern North Carolina. It
is characterized by short scaberulous hairs
on the lemma [(0.06)0.08-0.14(0.2) mm] and narrow
lemmas [(0.7)0.8-1.2(1.4) mm]. We include a
key to the taxa, synonymies, representative
specimens and descriptions.
Publication:
Saarela, J.M., P.M. Peterson and R.J.
Soreng. In Prep. (to be submitted fall 2001)
The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum (Poaceae).
Proposed for publication in the botanical journal
Sida.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Male.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
St. Cloud State University.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Anthropology.
Career
Goals:
Attain a Ph. D. in physical anthropology
and then become a professor at a research
university.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Shannon
S. Schwaller
Project
Title: Morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
primates.
Research
Abstract: A morphometric analysis of hand
and wrist bones in three genera of New World
primates was conducted.
Specimens
in sub-family Atelinae: Alouatta (species
A.palliata and A. seniculus),
Lagothrix (L. lagotricha) and
Ateles (Ateles spp.) were compared
with an out-group consisting of two genera of
the sub-family Cebinae: Cebus (C.
albifrons and C. capucinus) and Saimiri
(S. sciureus). The closely related Atelinae
have specialized hand morphology, such as elongated
fingers and reduced thumbs. The Cebinae have
a more generalized hand morphology. Comparing
the Atelinae with an out group demonstrating
less derived hand morphology tested the hypothesis
that similar anatomical change in hand anatomy,
such as finger length and thumb reduction, occurs
in the same manner in closely related taxa.
The
results from this study demonstrated that anatomical
changes in proportions and growth allometry
occur very differently in Ateles spp.
relative to the other Atelinae species. Ateles
spp. showed significantly longer metacarpal
lengths relative to phalangeal lengths in the
other Atelinae species. Also different in Ateles
spp. was the reduction of thumb length through
losses of both phalanges and in mid-shaft robustness
through the loss of bony material in height
and diameter. Ateles spp. demonstrated
significantly different proportional and growth
patterns of metacarpal length relative to phalangeal
lengths from both species of Alouatta
and the species L. lagotricha. Growth
allometry in the long bones of the hand of Ateles
differed significantly from the Atelinae. These
results suggest that the genetic processes underlying
the growth patterns have undergone significant
changes among closely related species of the
Atelinae sub-family.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
Cornell University.
- Status:
Sophomore.
- Major:
Entomology.
Career
Goals: After
earning a PhD, achieve a career at a university
teaching biology and/or entomology.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Ainsley
E. Seago
Project
Advisor: Dr. Steven Lingafelter, Department
of Systematic Biology, Entomology.
Project
Title: A New Species of
Crepidodera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
Research
Abstract: An unusual, seemingly polymorphic
species of beetle was investigated and determined
to represent an undescribed, cryptic species.
Working with a generous series of suspiciously
variable Crepidodera browni, we discovered
a correlation between male genitalia shape and
elytral color.
Through
extensive dissection, examination, illustration,
and analysis of these traits, we present a previously
unknown species of flea beetle. We have name
this minute, iridescent, coppery-bronze beetle
Crepidodera praestigiator. C. praestigiator
resides in the very backyard of the Smithsonian;
the type specimens were found feeding on willow
trees in the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Area in
Montgomery County, Maryland.
108
beetles were dissected and their genitalia examined
and illustrated. Crepidodera browni is
described as a new species, found in Maryland
and the Northeastern United States.
Publication:
Seago, A. and S. Lingafelter. In Prep.
A New Species of Crepidodera (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae) from Maryland. Coleopterists
Bulletin.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
-
Institution:
Western Montana College of the University
of
Montana.
- Status:
Non-graduating Senior.
- Major:
Environmental Science with emphasis
in Geology.
Career
Goals: After
earning a Master's degree, pursue a career
in field-based research
pertaining to conservation.
Funding:
Participation in the 2001 summer session
of the Research Training Program was supported
by the National Science Foundation Research
Experience for Undergraduates program,
Award: DBI-9820303.
|
Dawn
M. Stodden
Project
Advisor: Dr. William Melson, Department of Mineral
Sciences.
Project
Title: The Assembly of
North America: Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher
the Geologic History of the Potomac Terrane.
Research
Abstract: This study examined the
Sykesville Formation in the easternmost Potomac
Terrain between Roosevelt Island and Chain Bridge
in the Potomac River Gorge on the Virginia side.
The Liberty Complex of the Potomac terrane is
an accretionary prism (composed of the Sykesville
Formation and the Morgan Run Formation) that
was accreted on to Eastern North America probably
over 400 million years ago by collision between
a westward advancing magmatic arc and the accretionary
prism.
This
study of the Sykesville formation included structural
mapping, precursory rock analysis, and chemical
analyses of garnets and other minerals, all
indicators of the geologic history of the rocks.
The structural mapping the study area has shown
a depositional trend that follows that of the
surrounding terrain. In the Sykesville Formation,
there are many quartz structures. These structures
appear to be beds or veins. To decipher the
protolith, thin section of quartz were analyzed
using cathodoluminescence revealing relict sand
grains preserved in the quartz thin section,
giving evidence supporting that the quartz is
depositional in nature. Garnets were also examined
using electron microprobe analysis, a method
in which the x-rays generated by a minute, 2-micron
electron beam impinging on a mineral grain are
analyzed for the elements that produced them.
Chemical zoning in garnets acts as a record
of the growth history of the garnet, as well
as, the surrounding rocks. With the microprobe,
several X-ray maps of some garnets in the Sykesville
formation were constructed.
The
research revealed that the Sykesville Formation,
after deposition, has undergone one episode
of metamorphism. Future analysis of the chemical
composition of these garnets will unveil more
about the pressures and temperatures at which
the garnets were formed as well as the peak
pressures and temperatures reached during the
ancient collision, which added the Potomac Terrain
to Eastern North America. With the data compiled
in this study, more work to decipher the exact
history of the Sykesville Formation will be
possible.
Publication:
(1)
Stodden, D. and W.G. Melson. In Prep.
The Assembly of North America: Using Garnet
Zoning to Decipher the Geologic History of the
Potomac Terrane.
(2)
Stodden, D. and W.G. Melson. 2002. Research
Abstract, Southeastern Section, Geological Society
of America, April 2002.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
Foreigh, White.
- Institution:
the University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
- Status:
Junior.
- Major:
Plant Ecology and Animal Ecology
Career
Goals: To
obtain a Ph.D. in Botany and become
a research scientist in the field of
plant diversity
Funding:
This student's participation in the
summer 2001 Research Training Program
was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian
Women's Committee to provide an opportunity
for international students and graduating
seniors to participate in the program.
|
Katarina,
Topalov
Project
Advisor: Dr. Vicki Funk, Department of Systematic
Biology, Botany.
Project
title: Evaluation of
Plant Diversity on the Guiana Shield
Research
Abstract: The Guiana Shield is located
in the northeastern part of South America
and includes the countries Venezuela, Guyana,
Surinam, French Giana, and the north part
of Brazil. It hosts a unique assemblage of
plants and animals that is extremely rich,
but not well explored. Since this area is
now threatened by resource extraction, it
is important that we gain an understanding
of its biodiversity so that decisions about
its conservation can be made. In the past
areas proposed for conservation have been
difficult to evaluate because of incomplete
data. There were few areas that have been
collected well enough and the collections
were lacking locality and other data partially
or completely. In order to better understand
the biodiversity the first goal of this project
was to gather the data from a variety of sources
and the second one was to evaluate the collecting
bias such as time of year or intensity of
collecting. For instance, one of the most
commonly made mistakes in floristic analyses
is the collecting and determining of only
easily reached plant species (not far away
from roads, tracks and rivers, etc.). However,
even data like this can provide valuable information
if analyzed properly, because they can be
used as proxies in comparisons of two or more
sites. The analyses included plant species
checklist data from five areas: Puerto Ayacucho
(Venezuela), Iwokrama Forest, Mabura Hill,
Kaieteur Falls National Park (Guyana), Saül,
Central French Guiana and Reserva Ducke, Brazil.
The total of 5645 species records was standardized
and imported into a database table. Finally,
the ways of overcoming the collecting bias
have been tested by using various kinds of
statistical analyses in order to provide a
more objective application of the already
existing data and, therefore, more precise
insight into the flora of northeastern South
America. The gathered results were used to
estimate plant diversity in western Venezuela
(the Puerto Ayacucho area) and examine how
this diversity compares to similar areas in
French Guiana, Guyana and Brazil. The results
of the study revealed that the flora of the
Puerto Ayacucho area is the most different
from those found on other five sites, but
in order to bring more specific conclusions,
more plant collecting expeditions have to
be undertaken.
Publication:
(1):
H. D. Clarke, K. Topalov, V.A. Funk
and T. Hollowell. In prep. (to be submitted
in fall 2001) Evaluation of Plant Diversity
on the Guiana Shield.
(2):
Proposed for publication in the Biodiversity
and Conservation.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
|
- Gender:
Female.
- Ethnicity/Race:
White.
- Institution:
Middlebury College
- Status:
B.A. received May 2001
- Major:
Geology
Career
Goals:
After obtaining a Ph.D. in geology or
planetary science, I plan to attain
a research position at a university
or governmental agency.
Funding:
This student's participation in the
2001 summer session of the Research
Training Program was supported by a
grant from the Smithsonian Director's
Office.
|
Wilson,
Sharon
Project
Advisor: Dr. Ed Vicenzi, Department of Mineral
Sciences.
Project
Title: Microscopy and
microchemistry of low temperature aqueous
alteration in the Lafayette meteorite
Research
Abstract: Out of the 7500 meteorites that
have been found on the surface of earth, only
fifteen have been identified as Martian. The
Lafayette meteorite is an achondrite that
is almost certainly from Mars and was found
in Lafayette, Indiana in 1931. The 800-gram
stone has a crystallization age of 1.3 billion
years and contains abundant hydrous secondary
alteration veinlets that are 200-700 million
years old. Although the age of the alteration
is poorly constrained, it is clearly younger
than the bulk rock. Since the underlying precept
is that a Martian fluid created the low-temperature
aqueous alteration, their physical and chemical
characteristics provide crucial information
in determining whether the Martian subsurface
was once suitable to sustain microbial lifeforms.
Hosted by iron-rich olivine and occurring
along pyroxene grain boundaries, the veinlets
possess a delicate microtexture consisting
of silica-rich and iron-rich amorphous phases,
smectite and carbonate. A detailed characterization
of the textural and microchemical features
of the alteration veinlets in Lafayette was
undertaken. The olivine and pyroxene veinlets
were analyzed by a sensitive X-ray microanalyzer
(wavelength dispersive spectroscopy) to quantify
the concentration of sulfur, sodium and chlorine
in the secondary phases. The presence of sulfate
is important regarding the search for life
on Mars because it can be present in a form
that allows microbial lifeforms to use it
as an energy source. The presence of chloride
in the alteration suggests that the water
at or near the surface of Mars was slightly
saline. The saline component would decrease
the freezing temperature of liquid water,
extending the conditions suitable for life
on Mars.
Publication:
(1).
Wilson, S.A. and E. Vicenzi. In Prep.
(to be submitted December, 2001)
(2).
Abstract proposed for publication at the Lunar
and Planetary Science Conference, March 2002.
Project Summary |
Letter
of Gratitude
RESEARCH
TRAINING PROGRAM
2001
Director:
Mary Sangrey
Assistant: Marita Davison
Program
Summary
25 May
2002 - 3 August 2002
The
2001 Research Training Program opened the
doors of the National Museum of Natural History
to eighteen outstanding students selected
from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
The students traveled from their home universities
(both national and international) to take part
in ten weeks of intense natural history research
coupled with a thorough curriculum of lectures,
tours, demonstrations, workshops, and field
trips.
The primary focus of this summer's session was
the realization of a research project, conducted
under the personalized and skilled guidance
of one or several research advisors, who served
as mentors to each of the RTP students. Furthermore,
the RTP curriculum covered the broad array of
disciplines encompassed within the NMNH, offering
the students a unique opportunity to experience
and learn about subjects beyond their own personal
interests.
The students journeyed through the extensive
museum collections, viewed demonstrations of
the museum's state-of-the-art technologies,
and interacted with museum experts in the fields
of Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate
Zoology, Mineral Sciences, Paleobiology, and
Vertebrate Zoology.
In summary, the 2001 Research Training Program
offered the students an opportunity to build
extensive research skills, interact with renowned
scientists, and broaden their professional and
personal horizons and served to fulfill the
ultimate goal of contributing to the development
of nascent natural history scientists.
STATS
Number of Lectures: 10
Number of Tours: 12
Number of Workshops: 7
Number of Demonstrations: 6
Number of Discussions: 8
Number of Field Trips: 3
Number of Socials: 3
Special Activities: 2
Number of hours dedicated to the research
project: 255 hours/ 65%
Number of hours dedicated to other program
events: 137 hours/ 35%
Research
Activities and Finding
Research
and Education Activities:
This
is the third year of a 4-year Research Experiences
for Undergraduates (REU) Site grant to support
opportunities for undergraduate students to
share in the research activities of Smithsonian
scientists through participating in the Research
Training Program at the Smithsonian Institution's
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in
Washington, D.C.
Supported
by eleven Women's Committee grants (1983, 1991,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000,
and 2001), and totaling $170,200, 55 students
have participated in the Research Training Program,
including 4 in the '01 summer session.
The
Research Training Program (RTP) is a ten-week,
in-residence, summer program designed to train
the next generation of scientists in collections-based
research and natural history studies. The program
incorporates research and study in Anthropology,
Geology and Mineral Sciences, plus Systematic
Biology, including Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate
and Vertebrate Zoology. The program features
REU student participants who are U.S. citizens,
currently enrolled as an undergraduate student
pursuing their first undergraduate degree. In
addition, the RTP also complements REU positions
by securing separate funding to support additional
positions for undergraduate foreign students
to join the site activities.
Students
selected to participate in the '01 summer program
received an award package of about $5,800,
which included housing, transportation, research
support budget, and stipend to cover living
expenses.
The
complete 2001 summer session of the Research
Training Program hosted 18 undergraduate students,
12 of which were supported by this REU grant
and 6 positions were supported by matching funds
secured from other sources.
The
ten-week program began 26 May 2001 and concluded
4 August 2001.
The complete RTP Class of '01 of 18 undergraduate
students included 12 women and 4 individuals
who identified themselves as members of ethnic
or racial groups underrepresented in the sciences
(minorities) including 2 who identified themselves
as Native American and 2 who identified themselves
as Hispanic. In addition, one participant indicated
that they considered themselves physically challenged.
Of
the 12 REU students included in the RTP Class
of '01, 8 (67%) were women and 3 (25%) individuals
identified themselves as members of ethnic or
racial groups underrepresented in the sciences
(minorities) including 2 Native Americans and
1 Hispanic. One REU participant indicated that
they considered themselves physically challenged
due to significant visual impairment.
The
2001 applicant pool totaled 219 applicants,
of which 169 (63%) were women and 42 (16%) indicated
in an optional questionnaire that they considered
themselves an ethnic or racial minority. There
was one applicant who indicated that they considered
themselves physically challenged.
When
considering students for placement, the RTP
seeks to offer research opportunities to students
who have not otherwise had the opportunity to
connect with a scientific mentor or engage in
research activities. The REU group of twelve
'01 RTP participants included 1 Freshmen, 3
Sophomores, 6 Juniors, and 2 students who had
completed 4 years of undergraduate study and
therefore were classified at the Senior level
but had at least one semester of undergraduate
classes remaining after their participation
in the '01 summer REU program.
The
research activities of this REU site focused
on undergraduate students conducting individual,
hypothesis testing, research projects and participating
in a curriculum of exploration through the biological,
geological, and anthropological sciences including
lectures, discussions, and workshops about research
and careers in the sciences. Developing confidence
and competence in the research process through
direct interaction with a mentoring scientist
continues to be the cornerstone of this program.
This was accomplished by engaging student participants
in the overall process of real life research
from design to outcome including all the day-to-day
steps in-between; offering scientifically significant
research topics for students to pursue; and
immersing them in a supportive scientific community
of diverse researchers. All research project
activities followed a common format. Students
identified critical research questions, developed
a specific hypothesis to test, designed and
conducted original research, used the library,
worked with the museum collections, gathered
and interpreted data, and communicated their
results to the scientific community through
written and oral presentation. Students conducted
their studies in-residence at the NMNH, focusing
their activities on solving research questions
by learning from the 124 million specimens that
make up the Museum's national collections.
Complete
abstracts of the research conducted by the students
participating in the 2001 RTP is provided as
part of the basic information reported for each
student participant. In addition, research abstracts
are posted on the web.
Research Findings
To
emphasize the importance of communicating research
findings, projects were designed to result in
publication or presentation at a scientific
meeting. Of the 18 research topics conducted
in 2001, at least 16 publications or
presentations are in various stages of reporting
to the scientific community and anticipated
to result in completion within the next 2-3
years. Some projects will require a longer time
period to complete the analysis while other
research topics represented preliminary investigations
into new areas of science and therefore require
further investigation before reporting.
Of
the 12 research projects pursued by '01 REU
students, 9 projects are anticipated to result
in a total of 10 scientific works including
7 publications and 3 presentations at scientific
meetings. These include:
Chacon, Y.J.*, and Dove, C.J., "Microscopic
feather character analysis of the cranes,
rails and allies (Order: Gruiformes)",
Wilson Bulletin, vol., (), p. . In preparation,
proposed for publication submission in 2003.
Rougvie, J.R., DiMaggio, E.N.*, Sorensen,
S.S., "Polymetasomatic History of Ashflow
Tuff and geochemical Evolution During Contact
Metamorphism, Mammoth Crest, California",
Geological Society of America 2001 Annual
Meeting., vol. , (), p. . Accepted for presentation
2001.
Friedman, M.S.*, and G.D. Johnson,
"A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru ", Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology,
vol. , (), p. . In preparation, proposed for
publication submission in 2002.
Holcomb, M.*, Pandolfi, J.M., Macintyre,
I.G., and Budd, A.F., "Potential use
of X-radiographs to distinguish members of
the Montastraea annularis species complex.",
Coral Reefs, vol. , (), p. . In preparation,
proposed for publication submission in 2003.
Knee, A.J.* and K. Fauchald, "A
cladistic analysis of the genus Halosydna
(Annelida: Polychaeta: Polynoidae) with
a description of two new species: H. augeneri
and H. riojai.", Proceedings of
the Biological Society of Washington, vol.
, (), p. . In preparation, proposed for publication
submission in 2003.
Krabbenhoft, T.J.* and Munroe T.A.,
"A New Cynoglossid Flatfish (Symphurus:
Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes) from Deep-waters
of the Philippine Archipelago", Copeia,
vol. , (), p. . In preparation, proposed for
publication submission in 2003.
Porreca, C.A.* and J. Daniel Rogers,
"Paste Composition and Vessel Function:
A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics",
Journal of American Archaeology, vol. , (),
p. . In preparation, proposed for publication
submission in 2003.
Porreca, C.A.* and J. Daniel Rogers,
"Paste Composition and Vessel Function:
A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics",
Society for American Archaeology 2002 meetings.
Poster and/or presentation, vol. , (), p.
. In preparation. Proposed for presentation:
2002
Stodden, D.* and Melson W.G., "The
Assembly of North America: Using Garnet Zoning
to Decipher the Geologic History of the Potomac
Terrane", Research Abstract, Southeastern
Section, Geological Society of America, April
2002., vol. , (), p. . In preparation. Proposed
for presentation: 2002.
Seago, Ainsley* and S. Lingafelter.,
"A New Species of Crepidodera (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) in Maryland.",
The Coleopterists' Bulletin, vol. , (), p.
. In preparation, proposed for publication
submission in 2003.
*
Designates REU student participant.
Training and
Development
The
Research Training Program aims to prepare undergraduate
students for scientific careers by offering
direct and personal first hand experience in
the complete research process, focusing on a
specific discipline, while also providing a
curriculum of opportunities for exploration,
and hands-on experience, across the expanse
of natural history fields.
Activities
conducted as part of the '01 summer REU program
centered on attracting students to the field
of natural history research, stimulating their
interest in natural history research questions,
preparing them for successful and productive
careers, and highlighting the biocomplexities
that provide linkages between disciplines.
The
ambitious ten-week summer curriculum challenged
participants to balance research time and time
spent exploring other exciting opportunities
available in natural history through program
activities and Museum events. During the 2001
program students were in-session for 49 days
(392 hours). An average of 32 days (255 hours)
was reserved for dedicated project research
(65%). The remaining time, approximately 17
days (137 hours), included about 51 different
scheduled options such as lectures, tours, workshops,
demonstrations, field trips, and social events.
Options highlighted the National Museum of Natural
History community and provided a unique peek
into its' 124 million specimens and the research
conducted by the 100+ in-residence scientific
staff.
A
complete archive of the 2001 Research Training
Program is available on our web site at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/01index.html
The archive includes the schedule of activities,
recruitment poster, and more.
The
2001 summer session of the Research Training
Program hosted 18 students conducting 18 different
natural history-based research projects under
the mentoring guidance of 22 different research
scientists. Of the 18 students participating
in the program, 12 were supported by this NSF
REU grant.
The
'01 NSF REU students were:
Yolanda
Jesusita Chacon*.
2001. New Mexico State University. Major:
Biology. Academic Status: Sophomore. Research
Project: Analysis of feather characters of
cranes, rails, and allies (order Gruiformes).
Research Advisor: Dr. Carla Dove, Department
of Systematic Biology, Vertebrate Zoology,
Birds. Gender: Female. Ethnicity/Race: Hispanic.
Career Goals: After graduate school achieve
a career in either Ornithology or Medicine.
Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_chacon.html
Erin
Nicole DiMaggio*.
2001. University of Michigan. Major: Geology.
Academic Status: Freshman. Research Project:
Evidence for Feldspar Replacement in Altered
Metamorphic Tuffs in the Duck Lake Volcanic
Suite. Research Advisor: Dr. Sorena Sorensen,
Department of Mineral Sciences. Gender: Female.
Ethnicity/Race: White. Career Goals: After
obtaining a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences,
pursue a career as a volcanologist. Web Posting:
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_dimaggio.html
Matthew
Scott Friedman*.
2001. University of Rochester. Major: Biology
and Geology. Academic Status: Junior. Research
Project: Study of a putative lampridiform
fish from the Oligocene of Peru. Research
Advisors: Dr. James C. Tyler and Dr. G. David
Johnson, Department of Systematic Biology,
Vertebrate Zoology, Fishes. Gender: Male.
Ethnicity/Race: White. Career Goals: After
obtaining a Ph.D. in paleontology, achieve
a career as a university professor conducting
research on extinct and extant fishes. Web
Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_friedman.html
Michael
Charles Holcomb*.
2001. University of Idaho. Major: Geology
and Chemistry. Academic Status: Sophomore.
Research Project: Use of X-radiographs for
coral identification. Research Advisors: Dr.
Ian MacIntyre and Dr. John Pandolfi, Department
of Paleobiology. Gender: Male. Ethnicity/Race:
Native American. Career Goals: After obtaining
a Ph.D., obtain a position in an academic
institution conducting research and courses
on coral reef biology. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_holcomb.html
Abigail
Jean Knee*.
2001. University of Rhode Island. Major: Marine
Biology. Academic Status: Junior. Research
Project: A cladistic analysis of the polychaete
genus Halosydna. Research Advisor:
Dr. Kristian Fauchald, Department of Systematic
Biology, Invertebrate Zoology. Gender: Female.
Ethnicity/Race: White. Career Goals: After
earning a Ph.D., achieve a career focused
on research in systematics and ecology of
marine invertebrates. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_knee.html
Trevor
James Krabbenhoft*.
2001. North Dakota State University. Major:
Zoology. Academic Status: Junior. Research
Project: A New Cynoglossid Flatfish (Symphurus:
Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes) from Deep-waters
of the Philippine Archipelago. Research Advisor:
Dr. Thomas Munroe, Department of Systematic
Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, Fishes. Gender:
Male. Ethnicity/Race: White. Career Goals:
After earning a Ph.D., achieve a career focused
on research in systematics of fishes. Web
Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_krabbenhoft.html
Courtney
Ann Porreca*.
2001. University of New Mexico. Major: Anthropology
and Geology. Academic Status: Junior. Research
Project: Paste Composition and Vessel Function,
A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics. Research
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Rogers, Department of
Anthropology. Gender: Female. Ethnicity/Race:
White. Career Goals: After obtaining a Ph.D.,
secure a position at a university teaching
archaeology and conducting archaeological
research. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_porreca.html
Anastasia
Lee Poulos*.
2001. University of Maryland. Major: Anthropology
and Art History. Academic Status: Non-graduating
Senior. Research Project: The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in
the Fertile Crescent, A Comparison of Wild
and Domestic Animal Remains in the Archaeological
Record. Research Advisor: Dr. Melinda Zeder,
Department of Anthropology. Gender: Female.
Ethnicity/Race: White. Career Goals: After
earning a Ph.D., attain a career as a research
scientist at a museum focused on fieldwork
in the Near East, with a concentration on
archaeometric studies. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_poulos.html
Yana
Rae Reid*.
2001. Haskell Indian Nations University. Major:
Biology. Academic Status: Junior. Research
Project: Analysis of advertisement calls in
the genetically diverse frog taxon currently
known as Leptodactylus fuscus. Research
Advisor: Dr. Ronald Heyer, Department of Systematic
Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, Reptiles and
Amphibians. Gender: Female. Ethnicity/Race:
Native American. Career Goals: After obtaining
a Ph.D., become a research scientist in the
field of Ichthyology. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_reid.html
Shannon
Scott Schwaller*.
2001. St. Cloud State University. Major: Anthropology.
Academic Status: Junior. Research Project:
A Morphometric Analysis of Hand Anatomy in
Five Genera of New World Monkeys. Research
Advisor: Dr. Richard Thorington, Department
of Systematic Biology, Vertebrate Zoology
, Mammals. Gender: Male. Ethnicity/Race: White.
Career Goals: Attain a Ph. D. in physical
anthropology and then become a professor at
a research university. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_schwaller.html
Ainsley
Ellen Seago*.
2001. Cornell University. Major: Entomology.
Academic Status: Sophomore. Research Project:
A New Species of Crepidodera (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae). Research Advisor: Dr. Steven
Lingafelter, Department of Systematic Biology,
Entomology. Gender: Female. Ethnicity/Race:
White. Career Goals: After earning a PhD,
achieve a career at a university teaching
biology and/or entomology. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_seago.html
Dawn
Michele Stodden*.
2001. University of Montana, Western. Major:
Geology. Academic Status: Non-graduating Senior.
Research Project: The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane. Research Advisor:
Dr. William Melson, Department of Mineral
Sciences. Gender: Female. Ethnicity/Race:
White. Career Goals: After earning a Master's
degree, pursue a career in field-based research
pertaining to conservation. Web Posting: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_stodden.html
A profile of the four Women's Committee
supported students follows.
Laura
Holladay was
a graduating senior from The University of
Michigan where she earned an honors degree
in the Geological Sciences with a senior thesis
project on geomagnetism. For her RTP project,
she worked with Dr. Brian Huber in the Department
of Paleobiology studying the ontogenetic morphometrics
of planktonic foraminifera of the genus Pseudohastigerina
and an informally proposed new genus. The
results of this work will be published in
the Journal of Foraminiferal Research and
incorporated into the forthcoming Atlas of
Eocene Planktonic Foraminifera. An abstract
of this work is published on the RTP web site
at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_holladay.html
In the fall of 2001, she will begin graduate
studies at the University of Michigan, and
her funding will be provided by a National
Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
Her master's degree project, under the advisement
of Dr. Kyger C. Lohmann, will be a
stable isotopic study of modern Adamussium
colbecki, a scallop from the Antarctic.
After receiving her M.S. at The University
of Michigan, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. She
will then pursue a career in teaching and
research at an academic institution focusing
on paleoclimatology and paleoceanography.
Julianne
Rowehl was
a graduating senior from Southampton College
in Southampton, New York where she earned
a degree in Marine Science with a concentration
in Biology. Dr. Carole Baldwin, Dr. Lynne
Parenti, and Dr. Victor Springer in the Division
of Fishes collectively served as her team
of research advisors. She studied the eastern
Pacific blenniid fish Entomacrodus chiostictus
and examined phylogenetic relationships in
the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group. An abstract of this work is
published on the RTP web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_rowehl.html
After participating in the Research Training
Program, Julianne plans on working for a year
before applying to graduate schools where
she anticipates studying fish ecology in estuarine
or coral reef habitats. She would like to
continue her education and receive a doctorate
so she can serve as mentors to others while
still conducting research.
Jeffery
Michael Saarela
graduated from the University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2000 with a
B.Sc. (Hons.) in Botany. For his research
project, he worked with Dr. Paul M. Peterson
in the Department of Systematic Biology -
Botany on the taxonomy of the grass genus
Brachyelytrum (Poaceae). The results
of this research will be published in the
botanical journal Sida and is currently available
on the RTP web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_saarela.html.
He plans to continue to collaborate with Peterson,
working on a molecular characterization of
the North American Brachyelytrum using
DNA fingerprinting. After participating in
the Research Training Program he began a M.Sc.
program in September 2001 in the Department
of Biological Sciences at the University of
Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After
graduate school he would like to obtain a
university faculty position where he can teach
and maintain an active research program in
the field of plant systematics. Jeff says
"The opportunity to work at the Smithsonian
Institution with and among top-class researchers
has been an incredible learning experience
for me. The contacts I have made and the skills
I have learned will certainly be an asset
to my future career."
Katarina
Topalov
was a junior from the University of Novi Sad
in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia where she has been
studying Ecology and Environmental Studies.
For her research project, she worked with
Dr. Vicki Funk in the Department of Botany
studying the biodiversity of the Guiana Shield.
The results of their work will be published
in the Biodiversity and Conservation Journal
and an abstract is available now on the RTP
web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/students_2001_topalov.html.
After participating in the Research Training
Program Katarina plans to finish her undergraduate
degree at the University of Novi Sad and then
proceed to a graduate program in botany. She
would like to pursue a research career in
the field of plant diversity.
Research
investigations were conducted while students
were in-residence at the National Museum of
Natural History, 26 May 2001 through 4 August
2001.
An
evaluation of the program, following a new method
designed and implemented in 1999, indicates
that all aspects of the 2001 summer program
were successful in meeting Program goals and
expectations. For a summary of the evaluation
results visit our web page at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/evaluations.html.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
All
18 students participating in the 2001 summer
session of the Research Training Program, including
the 12 students supported by this NSF REU grant,
each received the same award package totaling
about $5,800 including a cash stipend paid directly
to the student of $2,400. In addition
to the stipend, the program provided participants
housing and transportation to/from Washington,
DC at no cost to the student participants. A
research support budget was also granted to
each student/mentor research team. The total
award package proved adequate to cover all the
student's expenses.
HOUSING:
For housing, participants stayed at The Alexandria
apartment complex in Alexandria, Virginia. A
discounted group rate was negotiated between
the Smithsonian and the complex to house the
18 students in four 4-person occupancy and one
2-person occupancy apartments for 10 weeks.
The negotiated housing cost was $1,704
per person.
TRAVEL:
All participants received a transportation allowance
to accommodate their travel to/from Washington,
DC. The average transportation costs for participants
was $443.
RESEARCH
SUPPORT: In addition to housing, stipend
and transportation, each student/advisor team
submitted a proposal outlining the research
topic to be investigated and a supporting budget
to cover the costs of the project. The average
research support awarded was $516 per
team. Through this funding option students were
able to identify special activities to complement
their research project and engage in additional
enrichment opportunities.
Of
particular note, 3 REU students were granted
support to attend the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists
and Herpetologists, 1 REU student travel with
their NMNH research advisor to their research
project site for 2 weeks to collect additional
specimens and record habitat information, and
1 REU student received funding to travel with
their NMNH research advisor to another museum
collection (Field Museum of Natural History)
to study additional specimens included in their
research.
OPERATIONAL
COSTS: The cost to host the 2001 Research
Training Program including costs to recruit
student participants plus group expenses to
implement the curriculum was $721 per
student.
COST SHARING
The
'01 summer Research Training Program was supported
by three key grants including the NSF REU program,
which contributed $76,200 (about 73%)
to support, in part, 12 of the 18 undergraduate
student participants.
The
Institution secured the remaining $27,926, or
27% of the total costs to implement the 2001
summer session. The Smithsonian
Women's Committee granted $18,800
(about 18% of the total) to support 4 students.
An individual gift to the program by Alice
Eve Kennington in 2000 also provided
the foundation for a permanently endowed position
in the summer session.
All
staff salaries and facilities and instruction
fees, laboratory and equipment fees, and general
office supplies were contributed by the Institution
at no cost to the program. The total secured
to fully implement the 2001 Research Training
Program including support for 18 undergraduate
student participants was $104,126.
RECRUITMENT
/ SELECTION / EVALUATION PROCESS
The
National Museum of Natural History, with no
in-resident students, recruits all Program participants
from outside the Institution. Broad recruitment
using different media ensures that all undergraduate
students, US and foreign, at large universities
and small liberal arts and tribal colleges,
as well as historically black colleges and universities,
know about, and have the opportunity to apply
for participation in the Program. For a summary
of the recruitment efforts visit our web page
at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/recruitment.html
and for specific demographic data about the
2001 effort review http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/selecttables.html
Requests
for information were received via e-mail, web,
fax, phone, and general mail resulting in 219
proposals from students around the world, including
53 applicants representing 23 different countries,
seeking to participate in the summer program
(reference the complete data on the web at:
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/international.html
).
To
achieve this broad spectrum of students, representing
some of the most promising young natural history
researchers, recruitment posters were mailed
to over 7,500 universities and institutions
throughout the world. The mailing list included
top ranking US and foreign universities as well
as small colleges and target minority institutions.
A concerted effort was made to reach out to
potential participants from underrepresented
groups through advertisement, participation
in career fairs, and attending special conferences
(e.g. Society for Advancement of Chicanos and
Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)). At career
fairs and conferences the Program hosted an
exhibit booth, staffed by the Program Director,
and participated in additional seminars and
meetings to share information about opportunities
for research, study and employment at the NMNH.
Information was provided about the RTP specifically,
and natural history in general. In addition,
Program staff serve on a number of panels and
belong to national organizations (e.g. Council
on Undergraduate Research) to formally and informally
promote the Program to students and professors
at undergraduate universities.
To
ensure that information and application materials
are readily available to students, all information
about, and application materials for, the Research
Training Program are available on the World
Wide Web (http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/)
including on-line fill-in forms and electronic
submission capabilities. The RTP web site provides
the option for students to prepare application
materials on-line and submit them electronically.
For
the 2001 Program 94% of all application
materials were received on-line at this site,
including the application form, cover letter,
and letters of recommendation sent directly
by references. To view the steady progression
of on-line submissions see our web statistics
at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/webstats.html.
Students
applying to the 2001 Program could also track
their application on-line at our web site through
the selection process and review research topics
of students selected to participate. In addition,
the site maintains a complete listing of Smithsonian
advisors, their research specialties, former
RTP students hosted, summaries and photos of
their research topics sponsored, and abstracts
of their presentations at scientific meetings
and published papers. To view this information,
visit our web page at http://rathbun.si.edu/rtp/application_procedure/advisor_list2.html
Of
the 219 applicants to the 2001 program, 169
(63%) were women and 42 (16%) indicated in an
optional questionnaire that they considered
themselves an ethnic minority.There was one
applicant who considered themselves physically
challenged. Most applicants were US citizens,
including at least 149 (68%). The majority of
applicants to the '01 session were in their
Junior year (31%). The 2001 applicant pool included
8 (4%) Freshman, 32 (15%) Sophomores, 68 (31%)
Juniors, 25 (11%) non-graduating Seniors, 44
(20%) graduating Seniors, 16 (7%) students who
had recently graduated, 6 (3%) graduate students,
and 7 (9%) not listing their academic standing.
Most
applicants to the '01 RTP indicated a preference
for research topics in the biological sciences
(39%) followed by the anthropological sciences
(31%) and then the geological sciences (21%).
Some, 20 (9%), expressed such diverse interests
and project preferences that they could not
be categorized into a specific discipline. The
single most popular research topic was anthropology
with 67 students selecting projects in this
natural history discipline. The complete statistics
are available at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/selecttables.html
The
Research Training Program selection process
is designed to identify students who will benefit
the most from participating in the curriculum
of the Program including those who are: motivated
to participate in, and learn about, NMNH based
research topics; interested in a career in the
biological, geological or anthropological sciences
(including research, teaching, or collections
management); and equipped with sufficient education
to understand the concepts and methodologies
presented. The Program is also committed to
recruiting and selecting women and minorities
to serve as future role models in the natural
history sciences.
To
minimize bias, and to ensure that all applications
are equally evaluated, the selection of participants
follows an impartial seven step review process:
1) prescreening, 2) application scoring by scientific
evaluators, 3) application pool normalization,
4) project advisor review, 5) finalist evaluation
and scoring by scientific judges including participant
nomination, 6) project advisor approval, and
7) applicant notification.
In
summary, the 2001 selection process began with
a pre-screening of all applicant files to eliminate
incomplete, inappropriate, and non-competitive
applications, at least one-third of the applicant
pool. The pre-screening was conducted by two
members from the NMNH scientific community who
read and reviewed all applications, eliminating
54 (25%) and forwarding 165 (67%) as 'semi-finalists'
to evaluators for further consideration. Sixteen
members from the NMNH scientific community served
as evaluators, assembled into eight review teams
with two members per team. Each team reviewed
20 or 21 application folders representing a
random set. Evaluators completed a 100 point
score sheet for each application in their set.
The review elements considered were: 1.) academic
background, 2.) academic performance, 3.) science
experience, 4.) motivation to participate in
the RTP, 5.) career goals, 6.) career potential,
7.) letters of recommendation, and 8.) compensating
characteristics / personal attributes (used
to particularly credit unique or target applicants).
Each application was scored by two different
reviewers. Scores were normalized to eliminate
scoring bias.
Based
on the scores, the 60 top scoring applications
were evaluated to ensure that there was adequate
representation across research divisions and
disciplines. To ensure a diverse group of undergraduate
students, including representatives from different
academic levels; ages and backgrounds; cultural,
social, and ethnic groups; US states and territories;
and foreign countries, some adjustments were
made. The results yielded a finalist set of
50 applicants. After this initial ranking, potential
research advisors were invited to review the
entire applicant pool, including the finalist
set, and advance into the final selection up
to two applications uniquely suited to their
research interest and projects.
A
panel composed of seven scientists representing
each of the NMNH research disciplines then reviewed
all finalists. These seven judges nominated
18 student/advisor teams, including the 12 REU
student/advisor teams, plus alternate teams.
The judges also linked top applicants with appropriate
mentors by matching mutual interests, prior
experience, and stated preferences including
the student's mentor selection. Mentors were
then consulted about the judge's nominations
and a few adjustments made to ensure a good
student/mentor match. All applicants were notified
of their final status 8 March 2001, as advertised.
Invited participants and alternates were contacted
personally by telephone to discuss placement
and answer their particular concerns and questions.
Three students declined participation, electing
to join field research teams instead.
Most
mentors initiated contact with their student
immediately following selection to begin designing
the research project.
The
2001 Program began Memorial Day weekend, 26
May 2001 and concluded ten weeks later, 4 August
2001.
EVALUATION
PROCESS
After
considerable research, the Research Training
Program designed, developed, and implemented
a new evaluation process in 1999 and continues
to use this process to gauge the effectiveness
of our program events and mentoring research
advisors. The process provides a method and
scoring system to evaluate success and quantitatively
compare elements across years.
To
monitor the design, content, and success of
research topics each student/mentor team submits
an initial proposal for the research project
including a timetable for completion, budget
and products anticipated. Proposals are reviewed
by members from the NMNH scientific community
and suggested adjustments implemented. To communicate
research results, a formal seminar series is
held with students presenting 15 minute illustrated,
lectures. In addition, students prepare and
present their research as part of a poster presentation
and publish their research topics as a general
abstract on the internet.
WOMEN AND
MINORITY STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
The
Research Training Program sought to improve
minority representation in the applicant and
participation pool by developing a partnership
with the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority
Participation program. Now in its fourth year,
as a result of the LSAMP at the Smithsonian
partnership, a more aggressive recruitment campaign
was launched focusing on personal contact with
LSAMP coordinators, multiple mailings to LSAMP
centers plus their university partners, and
internship positions for LSAMP scholars. We
also hosted a very successful Winter Workshop
in January '01 for students and site directors
so as to help us develop an institutional plan
for furthering the effectiveness of our outreach
efforts into communities of underrepresented
populations in the sciences.
The
2001 applicant pool of 219 included 42 (19%)
minorities and out of the total 18 students
who successfully competed to earn participation
in the 2001 session of the Research Training
Program, 4 were minorities (22%) - one being
a student who participated in our January Workshop.
In addition, the 2001 applicant pool included
58% women and women participants in the 2001
summer session of the Research Training Program
represented 67%, or 12 of the total 18 students.
ADJUNCT ACTIVITIES
The
curriculum designed for the 2001 Research Training
Program was diverse. In addition to the research
projects, events were selected to provide Program
participants the opportunity to see all aspects
of the NMNH. The complete schedule is available
on our web site and can be seen at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/schedule01.html
and included 10 lectures, 12 behind-the-scenes
tours, 7 workshops, 6 demonstrations, 8 discussions,
3 field trips, 3 socials and special activities.
Through
a formal lecture series, Smithsonian researchers
provided personal instruction in the concepts
and techniques used in natural history research
investigations. Training efforts focused on
taking advantage of the wealth of natural history
collections available at the Museum - 124 million
specimens of plants, animals, anthropological
artifacts, and geological samples. Through the
curriculum events, staff shared insights into
their collections-based investigations including
details about how they manage their specific
research programs and their personal contributions
to science. In addition to lectures, weekly
discussions and seminars were held to present
topics in an open format. Topics covered included
funding options for research and graduate school,
the spectrum of job opportunities available
in natural history disciplines, and personal
insights about communicating research results
including publishing and presenting. Rounding
out the curriculum, workshops were offered on
how to prepare, use, and maintain museum specimens.
Behind-the-scene tours throughout the NMNH were
hosted to broaden the participant's biological,
geological, and anthropological perspective.
The collection tours emphasized an appreciation
of the diversity of the Earth and the role natural
history museums play in studying and preserving
that diversity. Weekend field trips to two of
the Smithsonian's field research stations and
one to a research site, Calvert Cliffs, accommodated
a forum to discuss and demonstrate how natural
history studies include both in the museum and
field aspects and included collecting and observation
techniques on-site. Laboratory demonstrations
supported hands-on experience in various modern
and traditional techniques covering many natural
history sub-disciplines.
To
teach the research process, under the guidance
of a Smithsonian scientist, students participated
in the design and execution of all phases of
a scientific study including developing an explicit
hypothesis, designing investigations to test
this hypothesis, proposing a budget to accommodate
the research, gathering data, making observations,
analyzing results, preparing information for
publication in a scientific journal and/or presentation
at a scientific meeting. To insure an appropriate
level of guidance, program staff monitored the
progress of each research topic through a written
hypothesis statement, mid-term evaluation, and
final report and evaluation. Research projects
focused on providing students training in how
to communicate their research results, including
producing a manuscript that will be accepted
and published in a reputable, refereed, scientific
journal and presenting the research topic to
a scientific, and general, audience. To accommodate
this training, at the conclusion of the summer
program, students gave a 15-minute, illustrated,
oral presentation in scientific meeting format
on the progress of their research and prepared
a final report in journal style. A poster session
was also included to further illustrate the
variety of mechanisms scientists utilize to
communicate the research to a wide audience.
The
curriculum of the program provided consistent
training for all participants. Many research
projects conducted during this award period
focused on addressing the question 'What is
a species?' and what types of characters and
character states are used to distinguish between
different species, thereby providing students
training in traditional taxonomic techniques,
phylogenetic analysis, theory and statistical
methods of population comparisons. However,
each research team included training elements
unique to the sub-discipline or particular research
topic.
Outreach Activities
Efforts
are currently underway to seek additional avenues
to expand the scope of science outreach to high
school teachers, undergraduate and graduate
students including expanding the suite of opportunities
for them to participate in the research activities
of Smithsonian scientists. Despite an apparent
interest by Americans in the natural world,
few undergraduate students are actively pursuing
careers in the natural history sciences, such
as systematic biology. Advertisement and recruitment
for the Research Training Program served to
not only attract a qualified pool of applicants,
but also to heighten awareness of the research
possibilities, and careers, in natural history
disciplines.
By
targeting efforts and special advertisements
toward underrepresented groups such as African
Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans,
we hope to encourage more minorities to achieve
successful careers in the natural history sciences
and thereby serve as role models for upcoming
generations.
The
Museum has also sought opportunities to serve
as the venue for special science-based activities,
thereby providing a forum to share our scientific
expertise, rich collections, and facilities
with larger audiences. For example, several
NMNH research staff have secured grants from
the National Science Foundation's Partnerships
for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET) to
directly participate in the education and hands-on
training of a select group of students targeting
careers aimed at taxonomic research of poorly
understood organisms.
Recognizing
that interest in natural history research does
not necessarily begin at the undergraduate level
but often stems from knowledge of, and positive
experiences in the discipline during the high
school and middle school years, the Museum has
expanded its professional outreach to include
younger audiences. Each year the Museum hosts
a special behind-the-scenes tour for the 40
finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search,
a national science competition for the nation's
most promising science-talent high school students.
Through an evening of tours and small group
discussions with the finalists, NMNH scientific
and collections staff share insights into their
research activities, interesting research questions
yet unanswered in the field of their expertise,
and unique references available to researchers
at the NMNH.
Products
Produced
Dr.
William Melson and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden have collected samples that will be
valuable for future studies of this formation.
There were six thin sections produced by this
study team, as well as many field samples available
for analysis. Also collected were structural
data, chemical data, and X-ray maps. The data,
field notes, and maps are key to future analysis
of this formation.
From
the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)' Series of Crepidodera
were collected from Maryland and from Portal,
Arizona. These specimens will be labeled appropriately
and donated to the Smithsonian's entomology
collection, where they will be freely accessible
to the Museum's staff and visiting researchers.
From
the research team of Dr. Daniel Rogers and undergraduate
student Courtney Porreca: 'Paste Composition
and Vessel Function: A Case Study of Caribbean
Ceramics'. The following were collected: Data
relevant to the sample and research carried
out, in the form of aSystat database, and sample
of cross sections of ceramics from Nevis. The
data and the samples will become part of the
complete Nevis material assemblage and possibly
used in future research.
From
the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald and
undergraduate student Abigail Knee, 'A cladistic
analysis of the polychaete genus Halosydna'.
Created database of eight scored species of
Halosydna. This file will be used by
Dr. Kristian Fauchald in his network of scored
specimens and may contribute to an interactive
computerized key.
From
the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler, Dr.
G. David Johnson and undergraduate student Matthew
Friedman, 'A putative lampridiform from the
Oligocene of Peru'. The major products of the
research include the preparation and tentative
identification of a fossil skull that was unidentified
and uncataloged prior to current examination.
Furthermore, several illustrations of the skull
and its more characteristic morphological features,
as well as depictions of extant lampridiform
fishes, were produced. The preparation and tentative
identification of the fossil will be valuable
to future researchers. Results from the research,
including data and illustrations, will be made
available to the scientific community upon the
publication of our manuscript.
From
the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin DiMaggio: 'Evidence
for Feldspar Replacement in Altered Metamorphic
Tuffs in the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. From
this research two databases of the images were
created. These images were gathered using Cathodoluminescence
(CL) and SEM backscattered imaging as well as
Microprobe X-ray maps. They are documented by
their sample number and include all information
collected. This database facilitates further
analysis and comparison with remaining samples.
From
the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago*: "A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)" Series of
Crepidodera were collected from Maryland
and from Portal, Arizona. These specimens will
be labeled appropriately and donated to the
Smithsonian's entomology collection, where they
will be freely accessible to the Museum's staff
and visiting researchers.
From
the research team of Dr. William Melson and
undergraduate student Dawn Stodden: 'The Assembly
of North America: Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher
the Geologic History of the Potomac Terrane'.
Samples were collected from the research site
that will be valuable for future studies of
this formation. There were six thin sections
produced by this study team, as well as many
field samples available for analysis. Also collected
were structural data, chemical data, and X-ray
maps. The data, field notes, and maps are key
to future analysis of this formation. As part
of the US National Collections they are available
to all researchers.
Contributions
Contributions
within Discipline
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural
History incorporates the largest and most comprehensive
program of basic research in systematics and
collections-based investigations in the world,
embracing complex questions in the biological,
geological and anthropological disciplines.
The natural history sciences form an environment
in which disciplines and sub-disciplines often
cross-fertilize one another. Research topics
pursued by students participating in the Research
Training Program addressed key questions specific
to individual fields, but often extended in
an interdisciplinary fashion across areas of
science. Students worked with their mentors
employing a team approach to advance knowledge
in a wide variety of disciplines. Studies applied
both traditional and modern techniques.
Within
the biological sciences there is a realization,
shared by the public, of the worldwide crisis
in rapid and uncontrolled loss of biodiversity.
However, before greater advances can be made
in conserving these diminishing resources, there
is substantial 'basic' science that remains
to be done to simply identify and catalogue
this diversity. With 124 million specimens from
which to learn, many RTP research topics in
the biological sciences centered on questions
of nomenclatural identity, taxonomic relationships,
and evolutionary insights, thereby contributing
to the descriptive knowledge of taxa and providing
a foundation for more advanced and complex investigations
in the future. Providing training in these basic
studies is the major mechanism by which natural
history museums, and programs such as the Research
Training Program, contribute to the discipline
of natural history.
Projects
in the geological sciences also took advantage
of the vast NMNH collections to expand classic
studies, such as how fluids move through, and
change, rocks during metamorphism.
The
anthropological sciences cover a broad spectrum
of topics from research directed toward developing
a better understanding of physical collections
to cultural issues and contexts.
Given
the diversity of disciplines supported by this
grant, and the multitude of research topics
pursued, generalized summaries are reported
with several individual examples. Many projects
crossed disciplines in their scope and application.
Contributions
to Other Disciplines
By definition natural history science incorporates
a very broad spectrum of science. One of the
goals of the Research Training Program is to
provide undergraduate student participants an
in-depth research experience in a particular
discipline. As important, the program curriculum
of lectures, discussion topics and tours through
the natural history collections encourages students
to consider linkages between disciplines plus
extensions and applications beyond natural history
science. In implementing such a curriculum,
we hope to enhance the overall training of RTP
student participants and to further their understanding
of the biocomplexities in the sciences.
The
complete curriculum for the '01 summer session
can be viewed on our web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/schedule01.html
Ethics Component
New
to the RTP suite of summer activities, the 2001
program included an ethics component focused
on the conflict between freedom of access to
museum specimen data and scientific confidentiality.
As
part of the Smithsonian's National collections,
more than 124 million specimens are available
to the students for research and investigation.
These collections have been acquired by the
Museum for scientific study and represent historical
specimens from the biological, geological, and
anthropological disciplines. New technologies
permit never-before-availability of these specimens,
and their data, to scientists and general audiences
from around the world. However, availability
of specimen information, plus unrestricted access
to scientific collections, poses important ethical
decisions to be made by the new generation of
natural history research scientists. Scientific
collections can no longer be considered the
independent property of the host institution
and their scientific staff. New social opinions
and governmental regulations draw into question:
who has the authority to make these decisions?
To
address these issues, as part of the summer
schedule, a one-day workshop was held to actively
engage students in thoughtful discussion and
independent investigation. The complete workbook
for this one-day workshop is posted on our web
site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2001/ethics01.html
Guided
by an expert in the area, Dr. Lynn G. Clark,
professor at Iowa State University, students
evaluated two real-life case studies through
a collective discussion, and then broke into
small groups to comment on specific questions
and apply parallel situations to their current
REU project.
The
discussion was lively and many issues were confronted
that will
face the new generation of natural history scientists
whose research
is dependent on the use of historic museum specimens
plus acquisition
of new samples from worldwide localities. Following
their discussion,
the students dispersed into the museum community
to talk to
Smithsonian scientific staff about their experiences
and gather
opinions. A debate was then held with students
assigned to defend
either the pro (in favor) or con (against) of
a proposition linked to
the issues of the workshop.
This
format proved very effective in engaging students
in forward
thinking about their important role as keepers
of the new generation
of data, providing a format for them to openly
discuss their thoughts
and learn the insights of established Smithsonian
scientists, and then
to carefully look at both sides of the issue
through the debate.
To
illustrate the issues, students were posed with
a real life
scientific dilemma guided by the researcher
caught in the middle.
This approach proved exceptionally successful
as students appreciated
that the topic was not a workbook exercise but
a true and current
situation, still evolving, and with the outcome
still pending.
The
exercises dealt with a rare, endangered, and
phylogenetically
critical species of plant known from only a
few localities in Brazil.
Currently growing in a US research greenhouse
from samples collected
years ago, and vouchered by several museum collections,
specimens
representing the species are sought by horticulturists
for commercial
trade and by researchers studying evolutionary
lineages of the
monocots. Here called Species X, this plant
is a potentially
profitable commodity and a critical piece in
a yet unresolved
scientific puzzle. The species is a prime candidate
for protection
under international endangered species regulations
but is not yet
listed.
Key
discussion points of the real-life ethics workshop
included:
1.
Scientific collections, such as those housed
at the Smithsonian,
historically have been made available to those
researchers with a
reasonable claim for data about the specimen.
Recent technological
advances, including internet capabilities, now
offers the opportunity
for scientific collections to be scanned and
the complete specimen and
label data be visually available to anyone interested
in viewing
collections. Should images of specimens like
Species X be made
available to all audiences or should certain
specimens or specimen
groups remain exclusive to scientific investigators
only? What
criteria should be considered if limiting the
availability of
information about certain specimens? Who will
decide information
availability?
2.
Scientific data, once published, are considered
to be in the
public domain and data generated from federally
funded research, such
as by Smithsonian research investigations, are
regarded as public
property. Should the locality data of Species
X be published, thereby
exposing it to potentially unscrupulous collectors
including
overzealous biologists seeking specimens for
research or
horticulturists anticipating profit from the
sale of a rare and
endangered ornamental? What other natural history
specimen locality
information poses potential problems if released
into the easy-access
public domain?
3.
If money to fund research and/or conservation
efforts related to
Species X could be raised by selling plants
grown in captivity, should
any of that money be returned to the government
inwhich the species is
native? Is there a difference between exploiting
the use of
endangered plant species for profit compared
to animal species?
4.
With such limited individuals of Species X -
known from only three
populations and those located in high risk areas
scheduled for
potential destruction - should museum collections
be made to preserve
an adequate scientific record of Species X?
How many collections
should be taken? Where should the collections
be housed? Who will
determine the collecting limits and distribution
of specimens?
5.
Should a coordinated attempt be launched to
preserve one or all of
the natural populations of Species X, even if
publicity engenders
local hostility? Can international scientific
interests supercede
local politics?
6.
International and federal regulations governing
species officially
listed as rare or endangered can inhibit research
efforts by making it
extremely difficult to legally collect and import
material. Will
formally listing Species X as being rare or
endangered help or hinder
research efforts to understand and preserve
the species?
Contributions
to Education and Human Resources
The Research Training Program provides opportunities
for undergraduate students to be directly involved
in classic natural history studies and modern
biological, geological, and anthropological
research. Over the past twenty-one years, the
program has developed into an internationally
recognized opportunity for undergraduate students
to gain background and experience in natural
history research. By attracting promising students
from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
who have a genuine interest in, and talent for,
natural history-based research, and then providing
these students the chance to explore and cultivate
this interest by exposing them to the diverse
possibilities available in the fields of biology,
geology, and anthropology, we are contributing
to the development of the human resource base
of a globally-engaged next generation of scientists.
In short, the Research Training Program provides
unique insight into the life of a natural history
research scientist for talented students who
might otherwise never be exposed to research
careers in the museum-based biological, geological,
and anthropological sciences.
If
Smithsonian research scientists are to affect
the future of scientific investigation, and
the development of human resources that support
natural history studies, emphasis must not only
be placed on communicating research results
through written and oral presentation, but also
on actively participating in the education,
hands-on training, and inspiration of the next
generation of natural historians. One of the
best ways Smithsonian staff can contribute to
the development of young professionals is by
serving as mentors to students who come to the
Museum to learn about research and career options.
The Program offers to students, in the early
stages of their professional training, the chance
to be directly involved in natural history research.
It also provides a forum for established Smithsonian
scholars to serve as mentors sharing their experience,
knowledge, and ideas with enthusiastic students
who often possess the potential to become future
leaders in the field, but lack the background
and training to succeed.
Since
the inception of the Research Training Program
in 1980, and including the RTP Class of '01,
435 students have participated in the natural
history research and systematic studies conducted
by NMNH scientists and embarked upon the road
to careers, many in these disciplines.
A
complete directory of all RTP alumni, including
their accomplishments since their summer at
the Smithsonian, is now available on the web
at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/alumni/directory.htm.
This information is complemented by a photo
gallery at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/alumni/alumniphotos.html
and message center for posting new information
at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/alumni/messages.html
Maintaining
statistics about the program and tracking students
through their education and into careers following
their participation in the Research Training
Program has been an important element of the
program. All program statistics are now maintained
on our web site. For a directory of postings
visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/statistics.html
Since
the Program's founding, a total of 435 undergraduates
have participated in the NMNH Research Training
Program, including 252 (58%) women and 110 (25%)
individuals identified as members of racial
or ethnic groups underrepresented in the sciences
(minorities). The complete summary is available
at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/ed&car.html
and http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/highlights/partsum.html.
Although we continue to seek new avenues to
facilitate attracting and placing women and
minorities in RTP positions, we believe we have
identified many of the barriers that limits
the access and success of these groups and therefore
make every effort to avoid these.
To
measure success, and evaluate the impact of
the program, alumni follow-up and tracking has
been an important component of the RTP and files
show current data for 69% of participants. These
statistics reveal that 78% of RTP alumni entered
graduate programs in natural history research,
including 56% of the minority alumni and 61%
of the women with most pursuing degrees directly
associated with, or complementary to, their
experiences at the NMNH. Although many RTP alumni
are still pursuing their education, of those
not enrolled, 40% are employed in science careers
and many, 38%, have returned to the NMNH for
scientific investigation and to fill a variety
of short and long-term positions. Through the
use of our recently upgraded web site, that
provides an easy and encouraging means for RTP
alumni to keep us current on their progression,
we hope to improve our alumni tracking and be
better positioned to assess the impact our program
has had on their education direction and career
choices.
Contributions
to Resources for Science and Technology
The majority of research projects conducted
as part of the '01 summer session of the Research
Training Program produced data resulting from
the analysis of specimens from the Smithsonian's
research collections. This data was then analyzed
to draw conclusions based on the hypothesis
being investigated. In some cases, additional
museum specimens were collected, analysis samples
prepared, and photographic or digital images
produced.
Contributions
Beyond Science and Engineering
Typically projects conducted as part of the
Research Training Program do not offer contributions
to the public welfare beyond science and engineering.
None of the summer 2001 research teams reported
implications of their study beyond the typical
scope.
To
date we have not implemented a Research Experiences
for Teachers component but anticipate adding
it to the '02 session.
Other
collaborators
The
Research Training Program is part of a larger
initiative of the National Museum of Natural
History to participate in the professional education
and scientific training of the next generation
of scientists in collections-based research
and natural history studies including the biological,
geological, and anthropological sciences. To
support this initiative, the Smithsonian Institution
provides a variety of direct and indirect support
to facilitate the operation and implementation
of the RTP and individual student positions.
The
most significant in-house sources of financial
support during this granting period have come
from the Smithsonian Women's Committee ($18,800
- support for 4 students), and NMNH Office of
the Director ($21,029 - program operation and
implementation costs).
One
position in the program was permanently endowed
by Ms. Alice Eve
Kennington.
Contact
with education and training organizations (e.g.
Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL), Council on Undergraduate
Research (CUR), Society for the Advancement
of Chicanos and Native Americans (SACNAS)) including
participation in their conferences and collaborations
with their members, have helped shape the curriculum
and direction of the Research Training Program.
ACTIVITIES
AND FINDINGS
1.
Describe the major research and education activities
of the project.
From
the research team of Dr. Carla Dove and undergraduate
student Yolanda Chacon:
'Microscopic feather character analysis of the
cranes, rails and allies (Order: Gruiformes).'
The differences in microscopic characters of
plumulaceous barbs have proven to be valuable
in the identification of many different groups
of birds. However, the role of the diagnostic
characters in an evolutionary context is still
unknown. This study aims to explore microscopic
feather characters of the order Gruiformes by
determining if the feather characters that are
used in feather identification could be applied
to phylogeny and evolution of birds. Eleven
species of Gruiformes were selected from all
representative families and one outgroup taxa
from the Order Galliformes (Family: Phasianidae).
Some of the microscopic plumulaceous feather
characters examined in this study include: structures
at node of the plumulaceous barbule base and
tip, internode pigment at barbule base and tip,
and symmetry of barbules. The key research activities
included conducting a thorough literature search,
preparation of microslides for identification,
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study, use
of character matrix management, printing of
trees and character matrix coding in MacClade
4.0 (Maddison, 2000) phylogenic software and
the phylogenic trees were generated using phylogenic
software PAUPÒ 4.0 (Swofford).
From the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite' Extensive studies
on the alteration histories of volcanic rocks
in eastern Sierra Nevada have been done by SI
researchers. Although scientists know what rocks
surround Duck Lake, until now no one had looked
at the petrography of this group of metamorphic
tuffs. The purpose of my project was to examine
and analyze feldspar textures and mineral chemistry
in order to determine the processes responsible
for the alteration of these rocks. In addition,
my results were compared with the chemical findings
of the surrounding areas in order to determine
how the geologic history of rocks in this area
differed. In order to accomplish this three
main instruments were used. First, and used
most frequently, was cathodoluminescence (CL).
I used CL to determine the growth and replacement
history of feldspars in these rocks. With instrument
assistance from my research advisor, Sorena
Sorensen and Ed Vicenzi the CL proved to be
a useful tool in identifying alteration patterns.
SEM and Microprobe work was aided by Amelia
Logan and James Rougvie. Using backscattered
electron imaging and EDS analyses on the SEM
I was able to qualitatively determine mineral
composition in order to validate my CL observations
and obtain images that would aid in navigating
the microprobe. An electron microprobe was used
to quantitatively determine mineral compositions
and produce element X-ray composition maps.
The X-ray maps were then used to analyze the
location and distribution of major elements
and were compared with CL and backscattered
images. A scientific abstract was produced in
collaboration with James Rougvie and Sorena
Sorensen and submitted to the Geological Society
of America for the 2001 annual meeting. Sorensen
and Rougvie will continue work on the tuffs
after the conclusion of this internship. In
addition, my research will be incorporated in
a larger scale study of the area and later published.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. A fossil fish skull (USNM 494403),
tentatively identified by Bob Purdy and Dr.
Jim Tyler as a luvarid, was examined in detail
to more definitively determine its taxonomic
status. The fossil was compared to skeletal,
alcohol-preserved, and cleared and stained modern
fish remains. Early in the process of comparing
the specimen to luvarid material, it was apparent
that its osteology was radically different from
that of any described member of the suborder
Luvaroidei, extant or extinct. The fossil was
tentatively re-identified as a member of the
order Lampridiformes based on an arrangement
of the bones of the suspensorium and the opercular
series that was strikingly similar to that of
Lampris, a Recent lampridiform fish. In order
to compare the specimen to members of the Lampridiformes,
more of the fossil had to be exposed. The techniques
utilized to reveal more anatomical details of
the fossil skull included CT scanning, chemical
preparation (acid treatment), and mechanical
preparation. The most critical research activities
involved mechanical removal of the matrix from
potentially diagnostic areas of the skull that
could prove useful in determining the taxonomic
position of the fossil. These exposed areas
were then compared to the equivalent regions
in recognized lampridiform taxa. Modern lampridiform
specimens for comparative work were taken from
the collections of the National Museum of Natural
History, the American Museum of Natural History,
and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. In
addition to extensive preparation of the fossil
and comparative work, the literature was searched
thoroughly in order to provide data on modern
and fossil lampridiforms. The osteology of the
skull was described in detail, and several elements
of the fossil were illustrated in order to highlight
distinctive or potentially diagnostic morphological
features. Further work, in particular more detailed
CT scanning, needs to be performed in order
to definitively place the fossil within the
order Lampridiformes despite the very similar
appearance of the fossil and some lower modern
lampridiform taxa.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". Several characteristics
were investigated for their potential in distinguishing
members of the Montastraea annularis
species complex in both living and fossil assemblages.
Growth rates, corallite budding angles, curvature
of growth bands, and band intensities were examined
using X-radiographs and image analysis software.
This data combined with locality data were used
in an effort to assess the differences in members
of the Montastraea annularis complex
throughout their geographic range. The results
show that the characteristics examined do show
potential for being able to distinguish different
species within the M. annularis complex,
however a wider geographic area needs to be
examined, genetic work needs to be done on the
same specimens, and more detailed radiation
measurements need to be obtained before the
true potential of these characters can be assessed.
From
the research team of Dr. Brian Huber and recent
graduate Laura Holladay:
'Ontogenetic morphometric comparison of middle-late
Eocene pseudohastigerinid planktonic foraminifera
using X-radiograph image analysis'. In this
study, biometric analysis of fossilized tests
is used as the basis for classification of planktonic
foraminiferal species. This project was designed
to test the validity of an informally proposed
new genus of planispiral foraminifera by comparing
specimens referred to that genus with specimens
assigned to a morphologically similar genus,
Pseudohastigerina. As the latter genus
is known to have a widespread global distribution,
specimens for biometric analysis were chosen
from an array of sites, including Mexico, Mississippi,
an onshore borehole from New Jersey, and a deep-sea
drill core from the tropical Pacific. One hundred
twenty total specimens were chosen for x-radiography,
as x-ray images allow observation and measurement
of inner structures of the foraminiferal test.
The x-rays were mounted on slides and then digitized
using a video camera mounted onto a transmitted-light
microscope. The digitized images were measured
using biometric software. Measurements included
the area of each chamber, the maximum test diameter,
the total number of chambers present, the number
of chambers in the initial and ultimate whorls,
and the equation of the logarithmic spiral traced
out by the series of planispiral chambers. Analysis
of the biometric data supported distinction
of two of the named species within the genus
Pseudohastigerina but suggested that
those specimens assigned to the species P.
acutimarginata are probably synonymous with
P. micra. Those specimens generally fell
within the morphological variation of the species
P. micra, and thus it is possible that
they represent ecophenotypes of this wide-ranging
species. A more evolute morphotype, however,
may represent a new species within the genus
Pseudohastigerina. As an extension of
this project, stable isotopic analyses of these
species are being conducted in order to test
this hypothesis of ecophenotypic variation.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna.' The family
Polynoidae requires a major revision due to
the inconsistencies of its previous taxonomic
classification. This family consists of groups
of scale worms left over from the removal of
apparently uniform polychaete groups and is
without any unifying features of its own. The
polynoids cannot be shown as a monophyletic
grouping and thus require further attention
to delineate the contained species' relationships.
For this study, ten specimens from the marine
polynoid scale worm genus Halosydna were
observed, and their characters were scored in
order to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships
between H. species, within the genus,
and with eight outgroup taxa. Analysis should
enable the researcher to revise the cladistic
placement of H. spp. if necessary. Eighty-eight
scored characters were entered into a data table
in DELTA and NDE and run through the computer
program PAUP to develop the most parsimonous
cladograms. The characters included elytral
patterns and ornamentation, prostomial features,
chaetal ornamentation, and parapodial features.
Thirty-five other characters were scored but
not included in the PAUP analysis. Two undescribed
species-H. augeneri and H. riojai-were
discovered in the NMNH collection, and their
descriptions are targeted for publication in
the Proceedings of the Biological Society of
Washington in 2002. Key research activities
included conducting a thorough literature review,
preparation of glycerin slides for observation
of parapodia, observation of specimens under
compound and dissecting microscopes, and data
analysis. The results of this research support
grouping Halosydna species within a monophlyletic
clade, while those species removed to the genus
Halosydnella fall out along various lines
of descent. Another notable pattern was the
close pairing of Halosydna brevisetosa
and H. leucohyba, proposed to be synonymous
with each other. The resolution in the ingroup
can now be further discussed so as to lead to
evolutionary clarifications. A PowerPoint slide
show will be created and converted to photographic
slides for an oral presentation of this study.
The software PowerPoint will also be used to
develop a poster for display at the RTP poster
session.
From the research team of Dr. Thomas A. Munroe
and undergraduate student participant Trevor
J. Krabbenhoft: 'A New Cynoglossid
Flatfish (Symphurus: Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes)
from Deep-waters of the Philippine Archipelago':
The Indo-Pacific is home to over 20 nominal
and several undescribed species of tonguefishes
(Symphurus). Many of these are deep-water
species that are known from only a few specimens.
Our goal was to identify specimens that were
originally thought to be Symphurus woodmasoni.
In fact,we discovered that these were an undescribed
species. We used traditional morphological characters
in examining the specimens. We found that this
species is characterized by a combination of
a predominant 1-2-2 pattern of interdigitation
of dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines;
14 caudal-fin rays, five hypurals, a black peritoneum,
and numerous pigmentation characteristics.
From
the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers and
undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
Ceramic assemblages provide a wealth of information
about prehistoric cultures, including their
technology. The ceramic assemblage from the
Caribbean island of Nevis, which was collected
through controlled excavation, is appropriate
for a technological study because it offers
a wide range of variation spanning a series
of defined chronological periods. Of interest
is the relationship between vessel function
and variation in paste composition, specifically
the inclusions, and whether new analytical methods
can provide quantitative data useful for addressing
comparative questions. Ceramicists generally
accept that paste composition is central to
the success of a vessel. In other words, the
function of that vessel is dependent on the
technology employed in the preparation of the
paste. The method applied in this study involved
counting individual inclusions, defined here
as non-clay particles that occur naturally or
were intentionally added to the clay, in a given
area of a fresh cross-section. After identifying
the common inclusions, three categories were
created, light, dark and other, to facilitate
the counting in an area of one square centimeter.
An index value for quantity was calculated in
an attempt to standardize the data. After performing
basic statistical analyses, including correlations
and t-tests, the results indicated substantial
continuity across vessel form (from which function
is inferred), and phase. A comparison of the
exterior surface treatments with the paste composition
revealed the same continuity. From this information,
it can be concluded that the paste composition
of ceramics from Nevis, as determined by counting
the inclusions, is not directly related to the
intended function of the vessel or the decorative
style. This information is significant because
it indicates technological continuity on Nevis
for almost 2,000 years despite theories of major
cultural interaction due to migrations from
mainland South America. The method employed
here is potentially very useful for future inter-island
comparative studies of ceramic assemblages.
Comparisons of the clay used in the sherds to
that of raw clay samples from the island, as
well as in increased sample size, would also
be useful in examining the technology of production
and its broader relationship to cultural interaction.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
The method of developing sex-specific age curves
for domestic goat and sheep remains from archaeological
sites has proved valid in identifying a kill-off
profile that is representative of domestication
practices by people 10,000 years ago. The application
of this technique to studying of wild, hunted
gazelle remains has further reinforced the potential
for this kind of metric study, based on sexual
dimorphism and fusion rates. Thousands of gazelle
specimens were analyzed from archaeological
sites throughout the highland and lowland regions
of the Zagros in Iran - Ali Kosh, Asiab, Sarab,
Guran, Palegawra, M"lefaat, and Jarmo.
A field expedition to the Field Museum of Natural
History in Chicago provided much of the sample
needed for this study. The collection of modern
gazelle and archaeological remains at the Field
Museum was extensive and was fully exploited
by our research team. The measurements taken
from long bones and other significant, sexually
dimorphic bones (i.e., the astragalus) of the
gazelle were all inputted into a database and
manipulated for analysis through simple histograms
and statistical programs.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Victor Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. Documenting biodiversity is
important for understanding the complexity of
ecosystems, as a foundation for future conservation
decisions, and for understanding evolution in
a historical context. Comparative morphological
studies provide the basis for recognizing biological
diversity. During the 1998 Galapagos Imax Film
Expedition, several specimens of the blenniid
genus Entomacrodus were collected from
shallow waters off Capo Douglas, Isla Fernandias.
Although the specimens most closely resemble
E. chiostictus, a widespread eastern
Pacific species, this identification was questioned
because the Galapagos Archipelago is well south
of the known geographic range of E. chiostictus.
Slight differences in pigmentation between the
Galapagos specimens and E. chiostictus
(noticeably the apparent absence of lip stripes)
warranted morphological investigation to determine
if the Galapagos population represents an undescribed
species or if the geographic range of E.
chiostictus includes Galapagos. No consistent
differences in countable features such as fin
rays, vertebrae, gill rakers, and pores were
found between the Galapagos specimens and E.
chiostictus. The greatest variation among
eastern Pacific populations of Entomacrodus
was observed in pigment patterns. No correlation
between the various pigment patterns and any
morphological feature was discovered, and all
variation in pigmentation of the Galapagos specimens
is accounted for in previous descriptions of
E. chiostictus. Identification of the
Galapagos specimens as E. chiostictus
constitutes range extension for the species,
which is now known to occur from the northern
end of Isla Angel de la Guarda in the Gulf of
Mexico to Playa Muerto, Panama including the
offshore islands of Tres Marias, Revillagigedos,
Clipperton, Cocos, and Isla Fernandias. Relationships
among the 10 species of the Entomacrodus
"nigricans" species group (sensu
Springer), to which E. chiostictus belongs,
were hypothesized based on cladistic analysis
of external and osteological features. Central
and western Pacific species are basal taxa in
the phylogeny, supporting a previous hypothesis
that the "nigricans" species
group probably originated in the central Pacific
Ocean and eventually moved eastward to the eastern
Pacific and Atlantic. Atlantic and eastern Pacific
Entomacrodus species form a monophyletic
group. Because species of the "nigricans"
group are extremely similar to one another anatomically,
most nodes in the morphological - based phylogeny
are not well supported. Future investigations
involving molecular data may provide further
insights into the evolution of Entomacrodus.
From the research team of Dr. Paul M. Peterson
and undergraduate student Jeffery
M. Saarela: 'The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
(Poaceae)'. Morphological variation in the genus
Brachyelytrum has been variously treated
at the species, subspecies and varietal level
in the past. Nobody has conducted a detailed
numerical analysis of the genus across its entire
geographical range. In this study we performed
a numerical analysis and a distributional study
of Brachyelytrum from throughout its
geographical range. The key research activities
involved scoring 110 specimens of Brachyelytrum
for 19 morphological characters, a scanning
electron microscope study to search for micromorphological
characters and to obtain micrographs for illustrative
purposes, a literature search to obtain previous
collection records, use of internet gazetteers
to obtain latitude and longitude data, plotting
specimen distributions in ArcView, and multivariate
statistical analyses using discriminant analysis
and principal components analysis to analyse
the data set. In addition, we went on a four
day collecting trip in Virginia, West Virginia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania to observe living
plants in the field, to collect voucher specimens,
and to collect fresh material for future molecular
studies.
From the Research team of DR. Richard Thorington
and undergraduate student Shannon
Schwaller: 'A morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
monkeys'. New World monkeys exploit a large
variety of habitats and many species have evolved
specialized hand adaptations. A morphometric
analysis allowed for a detailed study of five
different genera of New World monkeys. Woolly
monkeys (genus Lagothrix), Howler monkeys
(Alouatta) and Spider monkeys (Ateles),
share many anatomical similarities, such as
elongated fingers and small thumbs. This group
with specialized hand anatomy was compared with
a second set of monkeys, the Capuchin monkey
(Cebus) and the Squirrel monkey (Saimiri),
which have very little specialization. Measurements
taken on twenty-nine monkeys from the specialized
group were compared to the measurements of thirty-seven
monkeys from the non-specialized group in order
to test the hypothesis that similar anatomical
changes in hand anatomy, such as the elongation
of the fingers, occurs in the same way in closely
related monkeys. Measurements of finger bone
lengths and carpal bone articular surface sizes
of the Atelinae genera were compared with the
outgroup in order to determine morphological
and development changes in Atelinae hand anatomy.
Key research activities included a literature
search to aide in research design, sorting and
identifying hand bones for each genus examined,
and data analysis using the Systat 9.0 statistical
program. More comparative studies need to be
done, especially together with the foot and
with other New World monkeys, in order to understand
better the genetic processes underlying the
growth patterns observed in the Atelinae sub-family.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. The most numerous
and reliable species-specific differences within
the members of a beetle genus are generally
found in the genitalia; such differences serve
a lock-and-key function to ensure intraspecific
mating. By thoroughly examining the unique genitalia
and elytral characteristics of two morphotypes
within the species C. browni, this project
distinguishes a new species of flea beetle,
C. praestigiator. Key research activities
included field observation and collection of
Crepidodera, dissection of over 100 "C.
browni" specimens, and microscope examination
and camera lucida illustration of both male
and female genitalia. Important characters of
the male genitalia include degree of median
lobe curvature, deflection of aedeagal apex,
and shape of sac-eversion aperture. These traits
are illustrated in shaded-graphite figures.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. Producing evolutionary
histories of geologic formations provides valuable
information about the past processes that affected
the formations, as well as, giving evidence
to the evolution of the continent in which the
formation is present. There has been a lot of
work done on the evolution of Eastern North
America, as well as, the study area for this
project, the Sykesville Formation. However,
conclusive evidence as to a precise geologic
evolution of the Sykesville Formation has not
yet been presented. In order to do this study,
samples were taken from the study area, which
is from Roosevelt Island to Chain Bridge in
the Potomac River Gorge on the Virginia side.
Also recorded in the study area were structural
data. By recording structural data present in
the outcrops of our study area, the depositional
history of this formation is becoming more understood.
Also, by studying thin sections of quartz exposures
from this study area with cathodoluminescence,
evidence of the protolith of the quartz veins/beds
has been found. Examinations of garnets found
in the study area using electron microprobe
analysis have given insight to the metamorphic
history of the formation. Future calculations
of chemical data collected will show more precisely
the metamorphic history of the Sykesville Formation.
From the research team of Dr. Vicki Funk and
undergraduate student Katarina
Topalov: 'Evaluation of Plant Diversity
on the Guiana Shield.' Various authorities have
proposed that northeastern South America hosts
a unique assemblage of plants and animals. This
proposal has been difficult to evaluate in the
past because of incomplete data. The research
included plant species checklist data from five
areas: Puerto Ayacucho (Venezuela), Iwokrama
Forest, Mabura Hill, Kaieteur Falls National
Park (Guyana), Saül, Central French Guiana
and Reserva Ducke, Brazil. Finally, the ways
of overcoming the collecting bias have been
tested by using various kinds of statistical
analyses in order to provide a more objective
application of the already existing data and,
therefore, more precise insight into the flora
of northeastern South America. Research activities
included standardization of a total of 5645
species records. All the data were imported
into a database table and evaluated in several
ways. Records for the Puerto Ayacucho area without
latitude and longitude data but with a specific
locality were georeferenced. The vegetation
zones in the Puerto Ayacucho area were digitized
on screen and the classifications added to the
resulting attribute table. The results were
used to estimate plant diversity in western
Venezuela (the Puerto Ayacucho area) and examine
how this diversity compares to similar areas
in French Guiana, Guyana and Brazil. The results
of the study did not correspond to a distance
between any two sites or to commonly collected
families. Therefore, they seem to have overcome
collecting bias. The unique nature of all the
sites shows that one of the sites cannot act
as a surrogate for any of the others in terms
of future conservation efforts.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite'. The central aim of this
research revolves around the characterization
of low-temperature aqueous alteration veins
and carbonate chemistry in the Lafayette Martian
meteorite through detailed textural and microchemical
analysis. The underlying precept is that a Martian
fluid is responsible for the veins of aqueous
alteration. Therefore, the physical and chemical
characteristics of the secondary mineralization
in meteorites provide crucial information to
determine whether the environment beneath the
surface of Mars was indeed within the "life
window" as we have defined it with regard
to terrestrial lifeforms. This research will
help determine in further research if the alteration,
typically hosted by iron-rich olivine, is the
result of a single or multiple generations of
fluid flow. The mineral chemistry of the clay
associated with this fluid alteration will aid
in identifying a terrestrial analogue environment,
if one exists. Key research activities include
a literature search and use of the polarizing
microscope, environmental scanning electron
microscope (ESEM) and the electron microprobe.
From the microchemical results, I quantified
the concentrations of sulfur, chlorine and sodium
in the alteration veinlets, elements that enhance
a life-sustaining environment. The presence
of sulfur and chlorine may lead to the discovery
of a new mineral. Lastly, the mineral composition
of the carbonates is similar to carbonate alteration
forming in young lava on the ocean floor at
the Galápagos spreading center serving
as a potential terrestrial analogue environment.
2. Describe the major findings
resulting from these activities.
From
the research team of Dr. Carla Dove and undergraduate
student Yolanda Chacon:
'Microscopic feather character analysis of the
cranes, rails and allies (Order: Gruiformes).'
The analysis of the microscopic feather characters
revealed that (1) feather characters do show
some "natural groupings" among the
taxa studied and may be aiding in the understanding
of the phylogeny and evolution of birds (2)
feather characters coupled with characters (i.e.
morphology, DNA) may result in better resolved
relationships; (3) a new research topic was
discovered while conducting SEM analysis and
involves determing whether certain feather characters
are unique to the age of the feather, geography
of the bird, or species. This study provided
hands-on training in microslide preparation,
scanning electron microscope analysis and microscopic
feather character coding.
From the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. This research
revealed that two phases of metasomatism altered
the rocks from Duck Lake. The first was an early
low-temperature alteration rich in potassium
and sodium. The second alteration was fueled
by a pluton driven calcic hydrothermal system.
My results will help us understand how fluids
move through rocks during metamorphism, and
may eventually increase our understanding of
ore deposit formation, tectonic history and
the geochemical evolution of continental crust
during magmatism.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. Though inconclusive, this research
has established a striking similarity between
the osteology of the fossil specimen and lower
lampridiform taxa. Furthermore, the research
produced a detailed description of the osteology
of the skull as well as several illustrations
of the more characteristic features of the fossil.
If one tentatively accepts the lampridiform
hypothesis, it is possible to place the fossil
within the suborder Veliferoidei, the most basal
suborder of the Lampridiformes, based on diagnostic
morphological features. Further CT scan data,
which will be available in the fall, should
allow for the conclusive placement of the fossil
within the order. Once this is accomplished,
it seems likely that the fossil will be described
as a new genus and species, given its age and
unique suite morphological characters. This
is a very significant find, as it is the only
fossil lampridiform fish known from South America.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". This research
revealed that several characteristics that are
observable in X-radiographs do show statistically
significant differences between different members
of the Montastraea annularis species
complex.
From the research team of Dr. Brian Huber and
recent graduate Laura
Holladay: 'Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis'. The results of this biometric study
suggest that an informally proposed new genus
of planktonic foraminifera is actually composed
of specimens that should be classified as the
species Pseudohastigerina micra and a
new species within the genus Pseudohastigerina.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. This research
revealed two new species to be described. The
cladistic analysis support grouping Halosydna
species within a monophlyletic clade, while
those species removed to the genus Halosydnella
fall out along various lines of descent. Another
notable pattern was the close pairing of Halosydna
brevisetosa and H. leucohyba, proposed
to be synonymous with each other.
From the research team of Dr. Thomas A. Munroe
and undergraduate student participant Trevor
J. Krabbenhoft: 'A New Cynoglossid
Flatfish (Symphurus: Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes)
from Deep-waters of the Philippine Archipelago':
This research revealed that the specimens we
examined were, in fact, an undescribed species.
As such, we were able to formally describe the
species.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
This research showed that the paste composition
of ceramics from Nevis, as determined by counting
the inclusions, is not directly related to the
intended function of the vessel or to the decorative
style. This information is useful because it
indicates technological continuity on Nevis
for almost 2,000 years despite theories of major
cultural interaction due to migrations from
mainland South America. The method employed
here is potentially very useful for future inter-island
comparative studies of ceramic assemblages.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
The method of sex-specific age curves to denote
domestic practices was applied to gazelle remains
that were contemporaneous and contextually related
to domesticated remains dating 10,000 years
ago. This technique indicated that the kill-off
pattern for hunting practices was very different
from the kill-off of domesticated animals. With
domesticates, young males were killed off, while
females had a higher survival rate. Whereas,
with the hunted remains, older, bigger animals
were killed, with what appears to be a focus
on males. The survivorship curves denote very
different practices.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. This research revealed that
the Galapagos Entomacrodus constitutes
a range extension for the species E. chiostictus.
A comparative morphological study showed that
the central and western Pacific species of the
E. "nigricans" species
group are basal taxa in the phylogeny. This
supports a previous hypthesis that the group
probably originated in the central Pacific Ocean
and eventually moved eastward to the eastern
Pacific and Atlantic. The Atlantic and eastern
Pacific Entomacrodus species form a monophyletic
group.
From the research team of Dr. Paul M. Peterson
and undergraduate student Jeffery
M. Saarela: 'The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
(Poaceae)'. Discriminant and principal components
analysis of morphological data revealed three
distinct groups correlated with geography. We
recognize three distinct species: B. japonicum
from Asia, and B. erectum and B. aristosum
from North America. Brachyelytrum japonicum
is characterized by its narrow leaves, long
first glumes and long rachillas. Brachyelytrum
erectum is characterized by long hairs on
the lemma, wider lemmas and wider on average
leaves and is distributed throughout the eastern
United States from the Canada-U.S. border south
to Florida. Brachyelytrum aristosum is
characterized by short hairs on the lemma, narrower
lemmas, and narrower on average leaves and has
a more northerly distribution, occurring in
southern Canada, northern United States and
south through the Appalachian mountains.
From the Research team of DR. Richard Thorington
and undergraduate student Shannon
Schwaller: 'A morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
monkeys'. This research revealed that the genus
Ateles demonstrated very different anatomical
changes in proportions and growth patterns compared
to the other Atelinae genera. Ateles
showed significantly longer metacarpal lengths
relative to phalangeal lengths. Ateles
also demonstrated a very different growth allometry
in finger development compared to the Atelinae
and outgroup species.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. Results of this
study confirmed the hypothesis that a new species
of Crepidodera, previously grouped as
a morphotype of C. browni, occurs in
Maryland.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. This research
has shown that the trend of the rocks present
in the Sykesville Formation follows the trend
of the surrounding terrain. Also discovered
were relict sand grains in quartz beds that
were previously described as veins. Finally,
the chemical zoning in the garnets present in
this formation have shown that the formation
experienced only one metamorphic episode.
From the research team of Dr. Vicki Funk and
undergraduate student Katarina
Topalov: 'Evaluation of Plant Diversity
on the Guiana Shield.' The results of the study
did not correspond to a distance between any
two sites or to commonly collected families.
Therefore, they seem to have overcome collecting
bias. The unique nature of all the sites showed
that one of the sites cannot act as a surrogate
for any of the others in terms of future conservation
efforts.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' Through this research
I characterized the alteration veinlets in Lafayette
and quantified the concentrations of sulfur,
chlorine and sodium in the carbonate, clay and
amorphous phases which may lead to the discovery
of a new mineral.
3. Describe the opportunities
for training and development provided by your
project.
From the research team of Dr. Carla Dove and
undergraduate student Yolanda
Chacon: 'Microscopic feather character
analysis of the cranes, rails and allies (Order:
Gruiformes).'This study provided specialized
training in conducting a thorough literature
search, preparation of microslides for identification,
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study, use
of character matrix management, printing of
trees and character matrix coding in MacClade
4.0 (Maddison, 2000) phylogenic software and
the phylogenetic trees generated using phylogenetic
software PAUPÒ 4.0 (Swofford).
From the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. This research
provided training in Cathodoluminescence (CL)
imaging, SEM backscattered electron imaging
and EDS analysis, and Electron Microprobe analysis
with distribution X-ray maps. This training
will be instrumental in my future career as
a research scientist.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. This research provided experience
useful to one pursuing a career in paleoichthyology.
Working directly with Dr. Tyler and Dr. Johnson
provided valuable knowledge of fish osteology,
while Dr. Tyler was an excellent source of instruction
regarding scientific illustration. Being able
to present renderings of one's objects of study
is clearly an important skill in many scientific
fields, and paleoichthyology is no exception.
Basic instruction on mechanical and chemical
preparation techniques for fossil remains as
provided by preparator Fred Grady was instrumental
in completion of this project, and the training
received is valuable in many paleontological
applications. Introduction to the use of CT
scanning technology was another byproduct of
this research, and will be useful in future
studies of fossils.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". This project
provided an opportunity to become more familiar
with both image and statistical analysis software.
From the research team of Dr. Brian Huber and
recent graduate Laura
Holladay: 'Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis'. This research provided specialized
training in the preparation of microfossil samples,
acquisition of x-radiograph images (including
x-ray film developing), preparation of slides,
use of computerized video capture and digitizing
tablets for digital image production, use of
biometric software, and data analysis. These
techniques were learned in the context of species-level
identification of microfossils.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. This research
provided training in conducting literature reviews,
morphological polychaete systematics, character
scoring, data analysis, cladogram interpretation,
and preparation of the description of two new
scale worm species for publication.
From the research team of Dr. Thomas A. Munroe
and undergraduate student participant Trevor
J. Krabbenhoft: 'A New Cynoglossid
Flatfish (Symphurus: Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes)
from Deep-waters of the Philippine Archipelago'.
This research provided training in morphological
fish systematics,observational techniques literature
evaluation and review, data analysis, and preparation
of the scientific description of a new species
of fish for publication.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
This research provided training in ceramic analysis
as well as the development and execution of
a research project. Minimal training with Cathodoluminesence,
the Polarizing Microscope and the Scanning Electron
Microscope was also received. The results contribute
to the existing knowledge of the prehistory
of the Caribbean.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
This project provided specialized training in
recognizing goat, sheep, and gazelle species,
as well as discerning fusion rates and tooth
wear patterns, all of which are important in
archaeological analysis of a site.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. This research provided specialized
training in the preparation of cleared and stained
specimens, fish osteology, character development
and scoring, and use of PAUP 3.0 and MacClade
3.0.
From the research team of Dr. Paul M. Peterson
and undergraduate student Jeffery
M. Saarela: 'The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
(Poaceae)'. This research provided training
in morphological plant systematics, including
character development and scoring, preparation
of distribution maps, scanning electron microscopy,
data analysis using multivariate statistics,
and field collecting techniques.
From the Research team of DR. Richard Thorington
and undergraduate student Shannon
Schwaller: 'A morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
monkeys'. This research provided training in
primate anatomy, design of a morphometric study,
and data analysis using computer statistical
programs.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. This research
provided training in entomological field identification,
collection, microdissection, and illustration
techniques, as well as preparation of a scientific
paper for publication.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
'Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. This research
provided training in structural measurements
and analysis, cathodoluminescence imaging and
interpretation, SEM imaging and analysis, electron
microprobe use and analysis, and analysis of
chemically zoned minerals. Training in skills
needed to present research for publication was
also part of the project.
From the research team of Dr. Vicki Funk and
undergraduate student Katarina
Topalov: 'Evaluation of Plant Diversity
on the Guiana Shield.' This research provided
training in data basing and analyzing, the GIS
course in georeferencing, using the GPS as a
valuable tool for botanical studies, plant collecting
and preservation, and preparation of the scientific
paper for publication and audio and visual presentation.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' This research provided
experience using the polarizing microscope,
training in ESEM imaging and analysis and electron
microprobe use and analysis. Software programs
such as analySIS and SigmaPlot were also utilized.
4. Describe outreach activities
your project has undertaken.
From the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. The results of
this research produced an abstract that was
submitted to the Geological Society of America
for the annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts,
November 2001 and will be presented as a talk.
The abstract and the talk are available to the
public, a sharing of ideas that will serve as
a stimulant for further support of research.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. The results of the study will be presented
at the University of Rochester to non-scientist
members of the student body during a colloquium
on undergraduate research. Furthermore, similar
presentations are planned for science classes
at the author's high school to encourage interest
in the natural sciences among younger students.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". A presentation
covering the project as well as the RTP program
in general will be given to a geology class
at the University of Idaho.
From
the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald and
undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. Gave three
tours of research project and collection to
other Smithsonian science interns and visitors.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
This research resulted in a paper proposed for
publication and a poster. A formal presentation
was also given to an audience of research scientists.
From the research team of Dr. Paul M. Peterson
and undergraduate student Jeffery
M. Saarela: 'The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
erectum Schreb. (Beauv.) (Poaceae)'. An
oral summary of this research project was provided
to interns from the Smithsonian Environmental
Research Centre (SERC) and the Conservation
Resource Centre (CRC)) during their tour of
the National Museum of Natural History.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. During field collection,
some of our entomological goals were informally
described to inquisitive local nonscientists.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' The results from this
research will be published in the form of an
abstract and poster at the Lunar and Planetary
Science Conference in March 2002. The abstract
and poster are available to the public and may
inspire new ideas for future research.
CONTRIBUTIONS
1.
Contributions to the principal disciplines(s)
of the project
From the research team of Dr. Carla Dove and
undergraduate student Yolanda
Chacon: 'Microscopic feather character
analysis of the cranes, rails and allies (Order:
Gruiformes).' This study provides a foundation
for applying feather characters in phylogeny
and evolution of birds. Although more research
is needed on the feather characters in this
group of birds, this preliminary study provides
some evidence that feather characters produce
trees that cluster into "natural groupings"
in parsimony analysis and supports the idea
that these characters can be useful for identification
and phylogenetic analysis.
From the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. This research
shows how fluids move through and change rocks
during metamorphism. It shows both the textural
and chemical alterations that occur in both
low and high temperature environments including
the impacts of hydrothermal systems.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. This research contributes data to
the scant fossil record of fishes of the order
Lampridiformes. Since the modern members of
the order are so morphologically disparate,
the evolutionary history of the group is of
particular interest. Furthermore, the specimen
is the only known fossil lampridiform from South
America.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". The addition
of more characteristics distinguishing members
of the Montastraea annularis species
complex will be of value in the identification
of specimens that are currently unidentifiable
due to insufficient distinguishing characteristics.
This is useful in understanding paleoecology
and the evolutionary history of the M. annularis
complex.
From the research team of Dr. Brian Huber and
recent graduate Laura
Holladay: 'Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis'. This research provides an example
of a carefully structured biometric analysis
for assessing the validity of newly proposed
species of planktonic foraminifera. Over-splitting
of taxa has been a classic problem in foraminiferal
research, and studies such as this are necessary
to prevent such over-splitting.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. This research
helps systematists to clarify the often-problematic
evolutionary relationships among a group of
marine scale worms. Two new species descriptions
contribute to zoologists' understanding of the
diversity of animals.
From the research team of Dr. Thomas A. Munroe
and undergraduate student participant Trevor
J. Krabbenhoft: 'A New Cynoglossid
Flatfish (Symphurus: Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes)
from Deep-waters of the Philippine Archipelago'.
The description of a new species to science
contributes to biodiversity studies and conservation
efforts by providing information for other scientists
to better understand the unique organisms in
specific areas and habitats.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
This research contributes to the knowledge and
understanding of Caribbean prehistory by providing
preliminary information on technological continuity
on an individual island as well as introducing
an alternate method for examining ceramic paste
composition.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
This research further reinforces the feasibility
of obtaining a pattern for domestication that
can be determined empirically. Since domestication
has often been interpreted in the archaeological
record solely on changes in obvious physical
characteristics, such as size change, there
has been a long period of time at the beginning
of animal domestication, before these characteristic
changes took place, which has not been fully
recognized. This technique allows for an earlier
recognition of domestic remains, while also
sheds light on the exploitation of other resources,
such as the gazelle.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. This research extended the range
of Entomacrodus chiostictus to the Galapagos
Archipelago. A preliminary understanding of
the biogeography of this fish was established.
The evolutions of fish often follow patterns
of other similarly distributed fish. An understanding
of one fish's evolution could lead to the understanding
of many other fish genera.
From the research team of Dr. Paul M. Peterson
and undergraduate student Jeffery
M. Saarela: 'The taxonomy of Brachyelytrum
(Poaceae).' The revisionary study of a group
of plants provides a better understanding of
the number of distinct species in that group
and how to correctly identify them. This information
is critical in understanding the biodiversity
of our world and to other scientists working
with these organisms.
From the Research team of DR. Richard Thorington
and undergraduate student Shannon
Schwaller: 'A morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
monkeys.' The statistical analysis of hand anatomy
provides an important body of knowledge on the
development and evolution of the New World primate
hand. The quantification of hand anatomy in
the sub-family Atelinae contributes important
information concerning the underlying genetic
processes involved with specific morphological
changes in primate hands.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. This project offers
a thorough description of C. praestigiator
as well as the means for distinguishing this
species from others in the genus Crepidodera.
Illustrations produced as part of this project
may serve to elucidate the species-specific
structure of genitalia among Crepidodera.
Description of this new species also contributes
to biodiversity studies and knowledge of insects
native to the D.C. area.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. This study
is a preliminary study of the Sykesville Formation
of the Potomac Terrane. Studying terrane in
Eastern North America can prove to be a difficult
task because of the extensive tectonic history
of the area. Researching and reporting the geologic
evolution of an area will give future researchers
of Eastern North America a good foundation for
the evolution of the Potomac Terrane, which
could potentially help in their research. The
microprobe images and data are a potential aid
to a better understanding of zoned minerals.
From the research team of Dr. Vicki Funk and
undergraduate student Katarina
Topalov: 'Evaluation of Plant Diversity
on the Guiana Shield.' The research provides
a new approach in overcoming the collecting
bias such as time of year or intensity of collecting
by using various kinds of statistical analyses.
This would provide a more objective application
of the already existing data and, therefore,
more precise insight into the biodiversity of
the explored area.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' Lafayette is a Martian
meteorite that contains clues about the geologic
history of Mars. The meteorite contains rust-like
veins that were formed by Martian water. The
physical and chemical characteristics of the
veins provide crucial information to determine
whether the environment beneath the surface
of Mars was once capable of sustaining microbial
lifeforms.
2. Contributions to other
disciplines of science or engineering
From
the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. This research
may eventually increase our understanding of
ore deposit formation, tectonic history and
the geochemical evolution of continental crust
during magmatism.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. This research serves as a model to
encourage exploration outside of one's established
field in order produce more thorough work. Clearly
this fossil could have been studied in a purely
paleontological sense, but interaction with
modern ichthyologists and extensive examination
of extant fishes made the research more critical
and meaningful.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". Many of the
characteristics examined are ones that would
potentially be available in core samples. Thus
this work may lead to better identification
of materials within core samples and a consequent
improvement in our understanding of past climatic
and oceanic conditions. By being able to identify
specimens, errors due to vital effects can be
reduced, this is of particular importance to
geochemists.
From the research team of Dr. Brian Huber and
recent graduate Laura
Holladay: 'Ontogenetic morphometric
comparison of middle-late Eocene pseudohastigerinid
planktonic foraminifera using X-radiograph image
analysis'. This research provides a model for
other disciplines to consider alternative methods
of analysis. The use of x-radiography in foraminiferal
research is relatively recent, but it has proven
to be an ideal method for imaging internal structures.
Researchers in other disciplines should also
recognize the potential utility of such methods
for taxonimic and paleoenvironmental interpretations.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. This research
can be used as a part of a study on cladistic
methodology. It also provides clues to evolutionary
biologists with the example of 18 species in
question.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
The information regarding technological, and
possibly cultural continuity is important in
the study of cultural traditions, culture contact,
and cultural change.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
This project has not had a solely archaeological
impact, since it also focused on a collection
of modern gazelle. A number of biological implications
came forward under this study, such as strong
regional variation in the gazelle of the area
today.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. This research may be used to
support theories of continental drift in relation
to biogeography by giving examples of evolution
based on plate movement.
From the Research team of Dr. Richard Thorington
and undergraduate student Shannon
Schwaller: 'A morphometric analysis
of hand anatomy in five genera of New World
monkeys'. This research builds upon a body of
knowledge concerning primate growth and development
that could be useful to medical and molecular.
The results provided in this study could contribute
valuable information to genetic researchers
that are interested in effects of genetic change
and development of the hand.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. As the family
Chrysomelidae includes many agricultural pests,
the broader knowledge of chrysomelid diversity
created by this research applies to the economics
and knowledge-based counteraction of insect
damage to crops and ornamental plants.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. Geophysicists
can use the research we have done to assist
them with similar geophysical perplexities.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' The search for life on
Mars extends into the field of biology to find
a terrestrial analogue for low-temperature aqueous
environments that are capable of sustaining
microbial lifeforms.
3. Contributions to the development
of human resources
From
the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. The results of
this research produced an abstract that was
submitted to the Geological Society of America
for the annual meeting in November of 2001 and
will be presented as a talk. The abstract and
the talk are available to the public, a sharing
of ideas that will serve as a stimulant for
further support of research.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. The findings of this study will be
presented to high school students and teachers,
as well as non-science oriented college students,
and will hopefully work to engender science
and scientific research to those audiences.
From the research team of Dr. John Pandolfi
and Dr. Ian Macintyre and undergraduate student
participant Michael
Holcomb: "Use of X-radiographs
for coral identification". Through presenting
this research to undergraduate students, non-scientists
and future pre-college teachers may be exposed
to additional fields to which they might otherwise
not have heard about.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. This research
provided a female undergraduate with the opportunity
to learn the value and techniques of collection-based
research in systematics, which will be an important
experience as she goes on to graduate studies
and a career in research.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. Support of maintained collections,
such as the fish collection at the NMNH, is
invaluable when trying to understand relationships
and biodiversity.
From the research team of Dr. Steven Lingafelter
and undergraduate student participant Ainsley
Seago: 'A New Species of Crepidodera
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)'. The collections
and conclusions resulting from this research
will be useful in any future investigations
(through research, as part of an educational
process, etc) of chrysomelid and/or alticine
phylogeny and morphology.
4. Contributions to the physical,
institutional, or information resources that
form the infrastructure for research and education
From
the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. This project,
in addition to the databases created, can serve
as a systematic way of looking at rocks from
this area and can be followed by future research
scientists who are studying alteration patterns
and effects of hydrothermal systems.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. This project serves as a model for
future researchers and encourages them to examine
fossils as biota and in the context of related
extant taxa. Such an approach has potential
for more thorough research in the life sciences,
deconstructing the artifactual division between
paleontology and modern organismal biology.
From the research team of Dr. Kristian Fauchald
and undergraduate student Abigail
Knee: 'A cladistic analysis of the
polychaete genus Halosydna'. The data
collected from this research will hopefully
contribute to a future review of the polychaete
family Polynoidae, giving clues to evolutionary
significant characters.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
This research utilizes analytical methods that
do not require the use of highly technical equipment,
providing an alternate to more traditional methods
and allowing for easier access to this type
of research.
From the research team of Dr. Melinda Zeder
and undergraduate student participant Anastasia
Poulos: 'The Hunting of Gazella
subgutturosa by Early Domesticators in the
Fertile Crescent- A Comparison of Wild and Domestic
Animal Remains in the Archaeological Record'.
This project has made people more aware of the
potential importance of zooarchaeological remains,
as well as extensive modern collections in being
highly educational in regards to human exploitation
of their natural resources.
From the research team of Dr. Carole Baldwin,
Dr. Lynne Parenti, Dr. Springer and undergraduate
student Julianne Rowehl:
'Identification of Galapagos Entomacrodus
(Teleostei: Blennidae) with comments on relationships
within the Entomacrodus "nigricans"
species group'. This research demonstrates the
need for collections in tropical areas. Much
of the work performed would not have been possible
without travel to or research stations developed
in these areas. This project can serve as a
preliminary work for future research teams.
From the research team of Dr. William Melson
and undergraduate student Dawn
Stodden: 'The Assembly of North America:
Using Garnet Zoning to Decipher the Geologic
History of the Potomac Terrane'. Geophysicists
can use the research we have done to assist
them with similar geophysical perplexities.
From the research team of Dr. Ed Vicenzi and
undergraduate student Sharon
Wilson: 'Microscopy and microchemistry
of low temperature aqueous alteration in the
Lafayette meteorite.' The results from this
study are reproducible, a valuable and desired
aspect in scientific research. The method of
data collection serves as an example for future
technological studies on Lafayette and similar
Martian meteorites.
5. Contributions to other
aspects of public welfare beyond science and
engineering, such as commercial technology,
the economy, cost-efficient environmental protection,
or solutions to social problems.
From
the research team of Dr. Sorena S. Sorensen
and undergraduate student Erin
DiMaggio: 'Evidence for Feldspar
Replacement in Altered Metamorphic Tuffs in
the Duck Lake Volcanic Suite'. Studying fluid
flow through rocks has important practical economic
value. This research may help in understanding
ore deposit formation which is an important
process to interpret due to its economic significance.
From the research team of Dr. James C. Tyler,
Dr. G. David Johnson and undergraduate student
Matthew Friedman:
'A putative lampridiform from the Oligocene
of Peru'. Though much of the research performed
was paleontological in nature, the project still
had strong groundings in biology. Like other
biological research, this project highlights
the diversity of the biotic world, both Recent
and extinct, and stresses the need to preserve
current biodiversity.
From the Research Team of Dr. J. Daniel Rogers
and undergraduate student Courtney
Porreca: 'Paste Composition and Vessel
Function: A Case Study of Caribbean Ceramics'.
The research resulted in information about the
prehistory of a Caribbean island, which could
be useful in promoting tourism.
PERSONAL
SUMMARIES FROM OUR SUMMER
Yolanda
Chacon
My
goals for the RTP included learning the methods
for conducting museum-based research on dry
specimens of birds and becoming aware of the
diversity of research that goes on behind the
scenes at the Smithsonian Institution, National
Museum of Natural History. Although I am not
very familiar with the many aspects of natural
history, I applied to the program knowing that
by becoming accepted, I would broaden my knowledge,
especially in Ornithology. My advisor, Dr. Carla
J. Dove proposed the topic of our RTP project,
Analysis of feather characters of the Cranes,
Rails and Allies (Avian Order:Gruiformes). From
the first day of the RTP program, I was very
eager to get my project underway and learn the
techniques that will help me continue this study
at my home institution (New Mexico State University)
under the direction of Dr. Peter Houde. My advisor,
along with Dr. Peter Houde, suggested the species
for use in our study and I investigated the
published accounts of this particular order
of birds, looking for traditional phylogenic
analysis and those obtained from DNA characters.
With the assistance of my advisor, and Marcy
Heacker-Skeans (a master's student at George
Mason University) we described, photographed
and investigated (using parsimony analysis)
12 species within the order Gruiformes and one
outgroup (Galliformes) to determine if feather
characters can provide phylogenetic signal.
Suzanna Braden of the NMNH Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM) laboratory assisted the SEM
work. Microscopic feather character coding was
done at NMNH Division of Birds under the assistance
of my project advisor. From this study, we hope
to publish in summer 2002, and as stated previously,
I will continue this study at New Mexico State
University.
Other things I did
during the summer
1.
Behind-the-scenes tour of the NMNH for SERC,
CRC and ZOO interns. Hosted the ornithology
section of the tour and presented a 10 minute
demonstration on the Feather Identification
Lab and my RTP research topic, Analysis of feather
characters of the Cranes Rails and Allies from
(Order: Gruiformes)
2.
Poster stuffing pizza party. Participant in
the RTP poster stuffing pizza party, prepared
7,000 2002 RTP advertisement posters.
3.
Behind-the-scenes tour of the NMNH for fellow
RTP interns. Served as an organizer and host
The Bird Collection, Museum Support Center-
Dry Mammals Storage, Osteo Prep and The New
Whale Storage Facility. Recruited 18 student
participants and confirmed tour presenters.
4.
The Brain. (13 July 2001). Attended a Symposium
held at the Smithsonian Institution NMNH Baird
Auditorium.
5.
Bird Watching. Participated in bird watching
with Marcy Heaker-Skeans to better familiarize
myself with the local bird diversity and learn
field identification skills.
Erin
DiMaggio
Extensive
studies on the alteration histories of volcanic
rocks in eastern Sierra Nevada have been done
by SI researchers. Although scientists know
what rocks surround Duck Lake, until now no
one had looked at the petrography of this group
of metamorphic tuffs. The purpose of my project
was to examine and analyze feldspar textures
and mineral chemistry in order to determine
the processes responsible for the alteration
of these rocks. In addition, my results were
compared with the chemical findings of the surrounding
areas in order to determine how the geologic
history of rocks in this area differed. In order
to accomplish this three main instruments were
used. First, and used most frequently, was cathodoluminescence
(CL). I used CL to determine the growth and
replacement history of feldspars in these rocks.
With instrument assistance from my research
advisor, Sorena Sorensen and Ed Vicenzi the
CL proved to be a useful tool in identifying
alteration patterns. SEM and Microprobe work
was aided by Amelia Logan and James Rougvie.
Using backscattered electron imaging and EDS
analyses on the SEM I was able to qualitatively
determine mineral composition in order to validate
my CL observations and obtain images that would
aid in navigating the microprobe. An electron
microprobe was used to quantitatively determine
mineral compositions and produce element X-ray
composition maps. The X-ray maps were then used
to analyze the location and distribution of
major elements and were compared with CL and
backscattered images. A scientific abstract
was produced in collaboration with James Rougvie
and Sorena Sorensen and submitted to the Geological
Society of America for the 2001 annual meeting.
Sorensen and Rougvie will continue work on the
tuffs after the conclusion of this internship.
In addition, my research will be incorporated
in a larger scale study of the area and later
published.
Other
things I did during the summer
1.
Great North ( 22 June 2001 ). Viewed and critiqued
a new IMAX film at the NMNH.
2.
Behind-the-scenes tour of the NMNH for CRC and
SERC interns. (6th July 2001) Hosted a tour
of the Meteorites given by Tim McCoy, the curator
of the Meteorites.
3.
Tour of the Capital led by an intern working
for Senator Susan Collins
of Maine. (29th June 2001) I was told the history
and little secrets of the Capital building and
I attended the Senate in session.
4.
Tour of the Gems and Minerals Collection given
by Jeff Post (26th June 2001) Viewed new additions
and old favorites in the Gems and Minerals Collection.
5.
Department of Mineral Sciences Lecture Series:
Dick Fiske and Tim Rose "Kulanaokuaiki
3 Tephra: Kilauea Volcano's Nasty Little Secret"
(21st June 2001) Highlighting one of Hawaii's
gentle volcanoes, ongoing research is pointing
towards a new and rather unusual direction.
Could this quiet volcano actually be the culprit
of launching large clasts more than 6 km from
the summit?
6.
Department of Mineral Sciences Lecture Series:
Ed Vicenzi "On the Origin of Precambrian
Black Diamond (Carbonado) from Central Africa
and Brazil: Constraints from Microanalytical
Studies" (20th July 2001) Several hypothesis
have been proposed as to the origin of such
fused diamond crystallites. Each proposal could
play a crucial role in our understanding of
early Earth.
7.
Smithsonian Lecture Series: Dr. Robert T. Watson
"The Perils of Ignoring Global Warming:
State of Science and Politics" (15th June
2001) Dr. Watson presented information about
the current political situation of the Kyoto
Protocol in addition to a brief over-view and
summary of the recent Third Assessment Report.
8.
Attended the viewing of Cirque du Soleil an
IMAX film presented by the NMNH followed by
the Friday night Jazz Café (15th &
29th June 2001).
9.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival (29th & 30th
June, 6th July 2001) Attended this spectacular
display of the components that make each cultural
so truly unique including food, dance and music.
Matthew
Scott Friedman
My
childhood exposure to some of the finest Devonian
fish fossils ever found, collected from outcrops
fifteen minutes away from my home, led to an
early interest in paleoichthyology. I had hoped
that my experience in the RTP would give me
valuable experience in the basics of examining
and describing fossil fish, but my work at the
NMNH has exceeded those initial expectations.
With most of my background in Paleozoic fishes,
I found being confronted with an Oligocene teleost
by my advisors (Dr. JAMES C. TYLER and Dr. G.
DAVID JOHNSON; the fossil was brought to Dr.
Tyler's attention by key contact BOB PURDY)
particularly interesting and challenging. The
relatively young fossil allowed for comparison
with specimens of Recent taxa, giving me my
fist real opportunity to examine extant bony
fishes in detail. When I compared the fossil
to the living members of the family Luvaroidea,
the fishes to which Dr. Tyler thought the specimen
was most closely allied, I found numerous inconsistencies
and disparities in osteology. Working together
with my two advisors, we concluded that the
fish was more likely a member of the order Lampridiformes,
represented in the Recent fauna by such unusual
fishes as the opah and the oarfish. In order
to examine obscured osteological characters
for comparative work, CT scan data were taken
with the assistance of EVAN GAROFALO of the
Anthropology Department using Dr. BRUNO FROHLICH's
machine. More detailed examinations were made
possible through the use of more conventional
preparation techniques, such as acid treatment
and mechanical abrasion. I was instructed in
these techniques by FRED GRADY, a preparator
in the Vertebrate Paleontology Preparation Lab.
I spent several weeks slowly grinding away the
siliceous matrix that obscured distinctive or
potentially diagnostic characters with a diamond-tipped
burr, removing larger pieces of matrix with
a diamond saw. Following preparation, Dr. Tyler
and I described the osteology of the specimen.
Afterwards, I compared the anatomy of the fossil
skull to that observed in dried, alcohol-preserved,
and cleared and stained specimens of lampridiform
fish. Dr. JOHN G. MAISEY of the American Museum
of Natural History and Dr. GLORIA ARATTIA of
Humbolt University offered advice and perspectives
on examining the fossil, while Dr. JOHN OLNEY
of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science
provided helpful images. Cleared and stained
specimens of higher lampridiform taxa were generously
loaned by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
and were delivered to us at the ASIH meetings
by Dr. H. J. WALKER and Dr. C. KLEPADLO. BARBARA
BROWN, MELANIE STIASSNY, RADFORD ARRINDELL and
IVY RUTSKY provided invaluable assistance in
procuring specimens from the American Museum
of Natural History. Possibilities of more detailed
CT scan data were discussed with TIM ROWE of
the University of Texas. Though the project
will not be completed by the end of the RTP
session, we intend to continue researching this
interesting specimen with the intention of publishing
a paper detailing our results. Ideally, I would
like to work on this project extensively at
school, and allow it to develop into a senior
thesis. My research on this fossil in concert
with specimens of extant fishes has kindled
an interest in me to study extinct and living
taxa in unison to more completely understand
the evolutionary history of clades. I may pursue
research on living and fossil representatives
of the order Lampridiformes in graduate school.
Other
things I did during the summer
1.
American Museum of Natural History (8 June,
23 June). Attended AMNH on two separate occasions
during my stay in Washington, D.C. On the first
trip, my advisor and I went to the museum to
pick up specimens for comparative work, and
he took the opportunity to introduce me to several
of the scientists working there. On the second
trip, four other RTP interns and myself visited
AMNH in order to tour the exhibits more extensively.
2.
Invertebrate Zoology Seminar (28 June). Attended
a lecture regarding weevil diversity and classification
given by a scientist visiting from the Natural
History Museum (London).
3.
National Aquarium in Baltimore (1 July). Four
other RTP interns and I attended the aquarium
in order to view the animals on display.
4.
ASIH/AES Joint Meetings (6-10 July). Attended
several lectures given by both societies as
well as ASIH social events. Spoke to several
scientists about graduate school possibilities.
5.
Paleobiology Seminar (19 July). Attended a lecture
with other RTP interns regarding the evolution
of whales based on fossils.
6.
National Zoo (22 July). Attended the National
Zoological Park to observe the animals on display.
7.
Vertebrate Zoology Seminar (24 July). Attended
a lecture with other RTP interns about fossil
flatfishes.
8.
Independent Biology Research. Spoke with several
Smithsonian scientists about potential groups
to use for a paper a professor at the University
of Rochester and I are writing about the reconstruction
of phylogenies using morphological, stratigraphic,
and molecular data for publication in Paleobiology.
9.
Independent Paleontology Research. Spoke with
paleobotanist Amanda Ash regarding the possibility
of identification of fossils collected on a
research expedition to the Canadian arctic that
I took part in. Examined the vertebrate paleontology
collections in an attempt to identify teeth
and other elements collected in the arctic to
the family or genus level.
Michael
Holcomb
During the course of this project I digitized
approx. 100 X-ray images of coral slabs. I took
measurements on these images and on images that
had been previously digitized. I placed my measurement
values into a database and then conducted statistical
analysis on the data sets to determine their
potential for use in distinguishing members
of the Montastraea annularis species
complex. This project was an extension of work
being conducted by my advisor, Dr. John Pandolfi
in collaboration with Dr. Ann F. Budd. This
work also marked further developments and applications
of methods developed some two decades ago by
my advisor Dr. Ian Macintyre. In the course
of my project, I was assisted by Bill Boykins
with X-rays, and by Dr. Lee-Ann Hayek with statistics.
Though this particular aspect of the work is
not something I will be continuing, I will follow
up this work by doing some more in depth elemental
analysis, looking for possible vital effects
upon composition and localization of skeletal
elements.
Other
things I did during the summer
1.
North American Paleontological Conference (June
26 - June 30, 2001). Attended various lectures
and other presentations.
2.
Attended various seminars on topics ranging
from the evolution of whales, to Phragmites
australis and its invasion of the North East,
to coral paleoecology (May 28 - July 26, 2001).
Laura
Holladay
My undergraduate degree is in geological sciences,
and my previous research experience fell within
the field of geomagnetism. In graduate school
and beyond, however, I plan to focus on paleoclimate
research. I saw the RTP program as an opportunity
to learn more about paleobiology, particularly
of the microscopic foraminifera that are so
often utilized in paleoclimatic studies. Although
the majority of former RTP students who have
worked under my advisor (Dr. BRIAN HUBER) have
conducted projects focusing on isotopic studies
of foraminifera, I wanted to take advantage
of the opportunity to study foraminifera as
biological entities rather than merely as geochemical
tools. I expressed the desire to pursue a project
focusing on the morphology and paleobiology
of foraminifera, and Dr. Huber suggested a project
focusing on the ontogenetic morphometrics of
four similar planispiral morphogroups of planktonic
foraminifera from the Eocene. Detailed morphometric
analyses of these four groups would reveal whether
they should be classified as distinct species,
and a follow-up study of their isotopic compositions
would reveal information about their preferred
depth habitats within the water column when
they were alive. The specimens chosen for measurement
had been prepared and named by Dr. RICHARD OLSSON
of Rutgers University, who also provided SEM
images to supplement the study. I mounted these
specimens onto slides and then produced and
developed X-radiograph images, which revealed
the microfossils' inner structures. The X-ray
films were then mounted on separate slides so
that they could be examined with a transmitted-light
microscope. I obtained digital images of each
specimen X-ray by using a video camera mounted
onto the microscope. Measurements were taken
from these digital images using ImagePro biometric
software. In addition to discrete length and
area measurements, RALPH CHAPMAN assisted the
morphometric data gathering by providing a computer
program that calculates the logarithmic spiral
traced out by the ontogenetic addition of chambers.
Additional samples were then selected for isotopic
study. I prepared the samples with the assistance
of MY LE DUCHARME, and Dr. Huber assisted the
picking of individual specimens. The specimens
were then sent to Dr. KYGER C. LOHMANN of the
University of Michigan for carbon and oxygen
isotopic analysis. With my project advisor,
I analyzed the morphometric data collected.
The results were prepared into lecture and poster
formats for presentation to the Smithsonian
Institution community. My advisor and I are
both interested in continuing this and other
similar research projects in the future, and
the final report for this program will be submitted
for publication in The Journal of Foraminiferal
Research.
Other things I did
during the summer
1.
Behind-the-scenes tour of the NMNH for SERC
and ZOO interns. Hosted the paleontology tour
and presented a 10 minute demonstration on the
use of X-ray imaging for foraminiferal research.
2.
Natural History Film and Lecture Series. Attended
Friday noon lectures and films on topics ranging
from archeology to global climate change.
3.
The Great North. Attended a special staff preview
of a new IMAX film.
4.
IMAX Jazz Café. Attended a film and music
series that took place at the NMNH after museum
hours on Friday nights.
5.
Smithsonian Institution Folklife Festival. Visited
the concerts, educational demonstrations, and
exhibits of this annual multicultural celebration.
Abigail
Knee
I have loved the ocean since I was a little
girl growing up near the New Hampshire coast.
The diverse forms and interactions of marine
invertebrates especially captivate me. To complement
my undergraduate education in marine biology,
special interests in ecology and systematics,
and experience in field research, my goals for
the RTP program were to learn how collection-based
systematists classify species and construct
phylogenies. These are skills I would like to
apply to my career plans for exploratory research
of deep-sea invertebrate communities. In the
NMNH Division of Worms, my vehicle for such
systematic research was a genus of marine scale
worms, under the direction of my project advisor,
Dr. KRISTIAN FAUCHALD. The entire class of Polychaeta
is full of problematic classification, therefore
requiring constant revision as new data becomes
available. My advisor is undertaking a long-term
project of reconstructing the phylogeny of the
polychaete family Polynoidae, among others,
and the genus I proposed to work on fits into
his research. In my project, I have examined
mainly external morphological characters of
ten species of Halosydna in the NMNH
collection for a cladistic analysis. Using my
data on Halosydna spp. and my
project advisor's data on eight sister taxa
he scored previously, I have reconstructed a
series of cladograms using the software program
PAUP. Kristian pointed me towards interpretation
of the scale worm phylogeny in question. MICHAEL
GUTKNECHT taught me how to search the literature
for additional background information. LINDA
WARD was also available for suggestions on how
to report my research. Both Michael and Linda
provided technical assistance with equipment.
JOANA SILVA, a participant in the RTP '99 under
my advisor, was instrumental in instructing
me about systematic methods she has employed
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