Security Check-in

Jessica Seebauer (left) and Dave Ramjohn (right) check in with security before entering the building.

Registration Forms

Diego Cisneros-Heredia (left) and Mike Nowak (right) complete registration documents in Hall 27 in anticipation of receiving their Smithsonian photo identification badge.

Refreshments

Three dozen donuts, strawberries, oranges, juice and (of course) piles of m&m were a welcome distraction from the orientation information presentations and documents to fill out.

Academic Resources Center

Michelle Knapp tests the computer systems in 452 (the room that still needs a good name) - our space for NMNH interns and fellows in-residence to gather.

In addition to welcoming the 20 RTP undergraduate students, 7 teachers from the DC area will be joining the RTP this summer including Donna Stewart, Rebecca Gentry, and Kathie John.

Director's Social

The opening reception in the NMNH Director's Office is an opportunity for members from the Smithsonian community to meet the RTP interns and learn about their summer research projects. Here RTP interns Leo Versieux (left) and Mike Nowak (right) pause for a quick photo.

Director's Social

Jim Luhr (left) Chair of the Mineral Sciences Department meets RTP intern Heather McCarren (right).

Director's Social

As part of the welcoming, research advisors introduce their student. Here Dr. Scott Wing (right) introduces his RTP intern, Mike Nowak (left) and describes their planned summer research, including a 4 week trip to Wyoming to conduct field research.

Director's Social

The RTP ensures the diffusion of knowledge by pairing students and scientists with similar interests, for example, David Ramjohn, marine biology intern, with Dr. Bruce Collette, renowned ichthyologist and systematist. Of his RTP experience, Dave quotes Sir James Mackintosh: "Diffused knowledge immortalizes itself."-

Director's Social

Jessica Seebauer, Angie Skeeles, and Sarah Garrett.

Botany Tour

Greg McKee served at tour leader through botany, sharing stories about the Botany collections, featured specimens, and specialized facilities.

Botany Tour

Joining the tour, (left to right) Amie Hankins, Doug Edmonds, Leo Versieux, Murilo Carvalho, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Angie Skeeles, and Erin Doak

Botany Tour

Jamie Hodgkins enjoyed seeing the algae research greenhouse.

Botany Collection's Tour

Heather McCarren holds a specimen of Lodoiceae callipyge Comm. - a member of the palm family of plants (Palmae). Native to the Seychelle Islands, off the East coast of Africa, these plants produce what are considered the largest seeds. Some can weigh up to 50 lbs. The common name is "Coco de Mer" which is French for "coconut of the sea" but RTP intern groups have consistently called this the "butt nut".

Plant Histology Demonstration

Stan Yankowski, manager of the Plant Histology Lab.

Plant Histology Demonstration

Demonstrating use of the microtome, Stan Yankowski prepares a "ribbon" from plant tissue embedded in paraffin.

Plant Histology Demonstration

After observing the techniques, students, including Dave Cameron, had the opportunity to practice histology methods including useing the microtome.

Plant Pressing Demonstration & Workshop

Botany research assistant, Ida Lopez, demonstrated plant pressing methods and specialized techniques using fresh specimens collected at the Botany Research Greenhouse.

Scientific Illustration Workshop

Botany scientific illustrator, Alice Tangerini, described the processes she utilizes to progress from the scientists concept to a finished scientific illustration publication plate.

Scientific Illustration Workshop

After describing the steps to prepare a scientific illustration, Alice Tangerini demonstrated her pen and ink techniques.

Scientific Illustration Workshop

After seeing the processes and watching Alice Tangerini demonstrate scientific illustration techniques, students had the opportunity to try their hand using some of Alice's samples, including Kristen Iriarte.

Botany Social

Each featured science day includes an informal social so as to provide an opportunity for students and members from the unit to gather. The Botany social was held in the Botany Library and hosted by Bob Faden.

Botany Social

Angie Skeeles, Doug Edmonds, Kristen Iriarte, Amie Hankins, Leo Versieux, and Michelle Knapp.

Botany Library Tour

Under the guidance of Botany Librarian, Mrs. Ruth Schallert, RTP students got a unique, behind-the-scenes peek, at many of the old and rare botanical books, including this original addition of Linneaus' Species Plantarum, held (ever so carefully!) by Leo Versieux.

Botany Library Tour

Other books on display included xxxxxx shown here with Leo Versieux, Heather McCarren, Dave Cameron, and Mike Nowak reviewing the beautiful, hand-colored plates.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Located on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, the "Calvert Cliffs" were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm sahllow sea. They are considered the nest Miocene deposit in the world. While over 600 species of fossils have been identified from these cliffs, the most popular with interns are the fossil shark teeth.

A total of 18 RTP students plus 3 guests joined the field trip to Scientists Cliffs, here pictured:

Front row (left to right): Dave Ramjohn, Michelle Knapp, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Erin Doak, Angie Skeeles, Doug Edmonds, Jamie Hodgkins, and Chad Schennum ('00 RTP intern who volunteered to serve at the '02 Field Trip host).

Back row (left to right): Dave Bohaska (field trip leader), Amanda Newsom, Amie Hankins, xxx, Jessica Seebauer, xxx Mike Nowak, xxx, Murilo Carvalho, Leo Versieux, Sarah Garrett, Kristen Iriarte, Dave Cameron,xxx, and Megan Paustian.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

The pictured in front of the Chestnut Cabin: the field trip gathering place.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

The research site.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

The RTP group searches the shore for shark teeth, ray teeth, and other assorted Miocene fossils.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Erin Doak (left) reviews her finds with field trip leader Dave Bohaska (right).

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Michelle Kanpp serches in vain for the monster shark tooth.

Scientists Cliffs Field Trip

Chad Schennum comes up with the find of the day.

SEM Facilities Tour and Workshop

Susann Braden guides Angie Skeeles in the operation of the Scanning Electronic Microscope

Mineral Sciences Department
Rock & Ore Collections Tour

Leslie Hale (center) describes some of the specimens from the rock and ore collection.

Mineral Sciences Department
Meteorite Collection Tour

Dave Cameron, Jamie Hodgkins, and Leo Versieux listen to tour leader Linda Welzenbach (right) describe the featured metorites that make up the U.S. National collection.

Mineral Sciences Department
Meteorite Collection Tour

Behind-the-scenes tours of the NMNH collections allow students an opportunity to examine, and hold (!), samples from the collections. Here Dave Cameron and Jamie Hodgkins carefully exchange a metorite.

Meteorite Collection Tour

Doug Edmonds (left) and Kristen Iriarte (right) holding the metorite commonly known as the shiny "dog-killing" metorite because it's believed to have hit a dog when it fell to Earth.

Meteorite Collection Tour

Erin Doak holds a specimen of a metorite.

Meteorite Collection Tour

Behind-the-scenes of Smithsonian's geology collections! A dream come true for many, including Doug Edmonds (left) who got to touch a specimen from the core-mantle boundry.

Meteorite Collection Tour

Meteorite Collection Manager and tour leader, Linda Welzenbach holds a specimen of as Murilo Carvalho (left) and Amanda Newsom (right) await the opportunity to examine it for themselves.

Meteorite Collection Tour

Amanda Newsom (left) and Erin Doak (right)

Field Trip to CRC
(Smithsonian Conservation Research Center)

A little rain couldnl't keep RTP students from joining their fellow science interns from Smithsonian's Environmental Research Center (SERC) and the National Zoological Park (NZP) for a behind-the-scenes tour of Smithsonian's Conservation Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. RTP students joining the field trip included:

Front Row (left to right):
Heather McCarren, Adam Freebeurg, Erin Doak, Amie Hankins, Dave Ramjohn, Andrea Runyan, Michelle Knapp, Amanda Newson, and Megan Paustian.

Back Row (left to right)
Leo Versieux, Diego CIsneros-Heredia, Kristen Iriarte, Doug Edmonds, and Jamie Hodgkins

Field Trip to CRC

As part of the CRC field trip, students had the opportunity to meet Ranita, the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

Paleobiology Collections Tour

Paleobiology Collections Manager and tour leader, Jann Thompson (center), holds a specimen from the leaf cleared and stained reference collection.

Paleobiology Collections Tour

Dave Ramjohn, aspiring ichthyologist, examines the Devonian fossil fish, Dunkleosteus terrelli, a progenitor of modern jawed marine fishes.

Paleobiology Collections Tour

Doug Edmonds, Kristen Iriarte, and Diego Cisneros-Heredia review some of the paleobotany specimens.

Paleobiology Collections Tour

A behind-the-scenes peek at some of the large paleo-vertebrate specimens not on public display. Here is the skull of a triceretops.

Paleobiology Collections Tour

Adam Freeburg
(We're going to let Adam write his own caption for this one.)

Paleobiology Collections Tour

Tour leader Jann Thompson looks on from the background as Doug Edmonds (left) and Dave Cameron (right) carefully hold specimens of fossil sloth dung, thereby drawing to a conclusion the "poop to nuts" paleobiology tour.

Adam Freeburg (left) and Mike Nowak (right)

Jessica Seebauer, Jamie Hodgkins, and Amie Hankins

Our New Home!

The RTP, plus all people, facilities and services moved over the weekend (15-16 June 02) to a new summer location located across the hall from the NHB cafeteria, on the ground floor just down the hall from the Constitution Avenue Lobby.

Dave Cameron (left) and Kristen Iriarte (right) check out the new RTP facilities which, of course, includes the "blue couch" and m&m basket!

Our New Home!

Interns gathering for lunch.
Finally enough space for everyone to join!

SERC Field Trip

A total of 10 RTP students joined interns from SERC, CRC, NZP, and the University of Maryland for a day at Smithsonian's Environmental Research Center, including:

Front row: Graham Zorn, Doug Edmonds, and Erin Doak

Back row: Michelle Knapp, Murilo Carvalho, Leo Verisieux, Megan Paustian, Sarah Garrett, Amanda Newsom, and Dave Ramjohn.

SERC Field Trip

The day began by signing up to join focused demonstration groups including mist netting, lab tours, canoeing, and boating.

SERC Field Trip

Sarah Garrett

SERC Field Trip

Michelle Knapp

SERC Field Trip

Dave Ramjohn, who said he was afraid of snakes, volunteered to hold a captured black rat snake.

SERC Field Trip

SERC Post Docs demonstrated bird banding on a mist-net captured red-eyed vireo.

SERC Field Trip

Brazilian inters Leo Versieux and Murilo Carvalho ban together "Brazil 2, Germany 1."

SERC Field Trip

Megan Paustian

SERC Field Trip

The barbeque break, grilled featuring hamburgers and hot dogs, was a welcome lunch-time treat for everyone, providing an opportunity for groups to gather and meet each other.

SERC Field Trip

One of the afternoon tour options was to join a boat cruise around the area. Ichthyology intern Dave Ramjohn (center) seemed particularly at home afloat the waterway, but his thought were clearly toward sample the fish population rather than just tour around looking at the sights.

SERC Field Trip

Front row: Wendy Wiswall (van driver), Dave Ramjohn, Amanda Newsom, and Leo Versieux.

Back row: Doug Edmonds, Michelle Knapp, Graham Zorn, Erin Doak, Murilo Carvalho, and Megan Paustian.

Entomology Lecture

Ted Schultz lecture on "The Evolution of Agriculture in Ants."

Entomology Collections Tour

Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Dave Ramjohn, and Doug Edmonds look on as Collection Manager and tour leader, Dave Furth (center), shows the group a few specimens from the lepidoptera collections.

Entomology Collections Tour

Dave Ramjohn (left) looks at the morpho butterfiles shown by Dave Furth (right).

Entomology Collections Tour

The Ohio buckeye collections: Angie Skeeles, Doug Edmonds and buckeye butterfiles.

Entomology Collections Tour

A rarity, an actual photo image of RTP Director, Mary Sangrey (center), here captured smiling with Adam Freeburg (left) and Erin Doak (right).

Entomology Collections Tour

Sarah Garrett and Mike Nowak are amazed by the BIG spiders stored in the collections.

Entomology Collections Tour

Only hours away from hopping a plane to Wyoming to spend the rest of his RTP appointment conducting field work, Mike Nowak appears deep in thought - thinking about the field work ahead, the wonders of the entomology collections, or events from the night before - - - we may never know.

Entomology Collections Tour

WIth 124 million specimens to see, RTP interns move at lightening speed, just a blurr as they breezy by enrout to their next destination . . . or was the camera operator having a bad day?

Entomology Collections Tour

Leo Versieux (left) and Amanda Newsom (right) seem facinated by the OH MY beetle collection.

Entomology Collections Tour

The Entomology Collection Tour included information about collection storage systems, collections management, compactors, the on-line NMNH collection management transaction management system (CRIS), packing and storing specimens, the move to new facilities, and a peek at some of the entomology collections.

Entomology Collections Tour

Traveling between floors in the new East Court building, RTP interns spiral upward, as always!

Entomology Collections Tour

While Erin Doak contemplates the massive entomology collection, Doug Edmonds seems to take a moment to contemplate lunch.

Entomology Collections Tour

So much for sunflower seeds, Adam Freeburg converts to bugs?

Entomology Collections Tour

Erin Doak, Adam Freeburg, and Doug Edmonds review entomology's state-of-the-art liquid storage system, and wonder: how much ethanol did they say was stored in this room?

Entomology Collections Tour

Envious, Leo Versieux (second from left) dreams of his own ant colony as the rest watch the work of leaf cutter ants.

Entomology Collections Tour

After a full two hours touring the entomology collections, appearing bug eyed, Adam Freeburg and the rest head to the next event, an Entomology Social, followed by a tour of the Entomology Library, and concluding the day with an Insect Pinning Workshop - what a day!.

Happy Birthday Leo!

Carole Baldwin joined the RTP lunch discussion to share her personal experiences encountered during the making of the IMAX film, GALAPAGOS.

Amie Hankins, Carole Baldwin, Leo Versieux, MIchelle Knapp (hiding behind Leo), Doug Edmonds, Dave Ramjohn, and the rest of the RTP crew begin the Leo birthday celebartion with chocolate cake during lunch, more later.

The ARC offers comfort and rest for students needing a break from the rigors of their research. However, Angie wants to know what Amie Hankins did the night before to be Soooo sleepy today?

While Amie Hankins (left) and Heather McCarren (right) take a break, we wonder: what more could anyone want, a comfortable couch, cozy pillow, full basket of m&m and a fellow RTP intern available to capture your sleeping moment for all to view on the web.

Behind-the-scenes at Natural History

The Coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, often referred to as a "living fossil," was known only from fossil records prior to 1938.

Here David Ramjohn gets his first look at the Coelacanth specimen in the NMNH fish collection and says: "It's a rare privilege to examine a Coelacanth; my folks will get a kick out of seeing me with this!"

Behind-the-scenes at Natural History

As part of his summer research project, RTP ichthyology intern, David Ramjohn, examines a sea catfish, Bagre marinus , from the NMNH Fish Collection. This specimen, caught in Trinidad in 1959, represents one of over 185 lots of specimens from Trinidad and Tobago in the NMNH, dating from the 1800s to present day.