Jonathan Chen
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio
Dear National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program,
The opportunity to work at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History this summer rewarded me with great experiences and knowledge that I could not have possibly obtained through the liberal arts education of my home institution.
Last January I applied to two REU internships: this one at the Smithsonian Institution and another at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) in Costa Rica. Both programs offered research projects in myrmecology, the study of ants. I was eager to work in the tropical forests of Costa Rica collecting a diverse group of ants that I have never seen. Unfortunately, I was listed as an alternate to the OTS program and chose to work at the Smithsonian instead. The systematic research that I conducted over the summer was completely foreign to me except for a brief introduction of the subject in my biology class. Analyzing the evolutionary relationships of organisms is not my particular calling, but it is something that is valued greatly in the field of biology. I understood the need for systematics prior to this summer, but upon completing the Research Training Program I gained a respect for the discipline. I learned how to utilize the tools and techniques of the science and applied them to my fascination with ants.
Looking back at my summer options I would argue that choosing to attend the RTP program was a good decision. Through your funding I had the fortune of working with an advisor who not only was a respected scientist within his field, but also a great mentor. In addition, the money granted to this program allowed me to conduct research at a world-class scientific institution in the heart of a beautiful city.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Chen
Research Training Program
Class of '04