Applicant
List |
Statistics
|
APPLICATION
and INFORMATION
Session
Dates
27 May 2007 - 4 August 2007
2007
Quick Links
Summer Session Index - 2007
A
total of 14 undergraduate student
are anticipated to join the RTP Class of
'07.
|
Review
Summary
There
were 130 applications received for review by the
application deadline of Wednesday, 1 February
2007. All were reviewed. Of the 130 received,
90 were complete (RTP application form, transcript/course
& grades, cover letter and two letters of
recommendation) and 118 included an application
form. Applicant pool statistics were generated
for these 118. Several days after the review an
additional 4 applications were received, including
3 completely new applicants but it was too late
in the process to consider these. A total of 133
different individuals applied for the 2007 Research
Training Program.
Application receipt and status was manually updated
and posted on the web
based on submissions received via e-mail, mail,
fax, and personal delivery. Beginning in January,
the "Folder Status" column conveyed submission
comments from the system administrator.
A
"C" status indicated a COMPLETE application folder,
"I" indicated an INCOMPLETE folder with parts
missing or not acceptable. Staff added information
to the comment section to further communicate
problems identified.
Pre-screening Review
Traditional
RTP review procedure follows a seven set process
beginning with a pre-screening of the entire application
set by two separate reviewers (Gina Wesley-Hunt
and John Brown) who are familiar with the RTP
program. Pre-screening began at 9:00 a.m. Friday,
2 February 2007 and was completed by 6:00 p.m.
the same day. Pre-screeners worked independently.
All 130 applications were reviewed and
92 selected for forwarding as semi-finalists.
Pre-screeners
agreed on forwarding 79 applications as semi-finalists
and removing 33 from further consideration. They
disagreed on placement of 18 applications. These
were evaluated by a third reviewer for final decision.
Of these 18, the secondary evaluation removed
3 from further consideration and forwarded the
remaining 15 as semi-finalists. In addition, there
were 2 applications originally agreed by the initial
pre-screeners to remove from further consideration,
that were re-evaluated by the third reviewer and
these forwarded as semi-finalists.
The
role of the prescreener is to identify and remove
from further consideration those applicants not
eligible for participation in the program and
those that will not be competitive through the
final review process. Factors considered during
prescreening include:
1.
Incomplete folder resulting in inability to successfully
review the candidate including: cover letter missing
and/or lacking necessary information; recommendations
missing and/or lacking necessary information;
RTP application form and/or lacking critical information.
2. Ineligible for participation including: academic
status (status no longer considered undergraduate);
participation focus (not targeting full participation
in the goals and curriculum of the RTP session);
language proficiency; availability (unavailable
for adequate participation).
3.
Poor recommendations and/or reference
selection.
4.
Poor academic record and no adequate justification
provided.
5.
Career goals inconsistent with participation in
the RTP.
Semi-finalist
Review
There
92 applications evaluated as semifinalists. A
panel of 7 judges, representing each discipline,
reviewed applications from their set and nominated
top candidates for forwarding as finalists. Review
sets:
Anthropology:
24 applications, reviewed by Noel Broadbent
Botany: 8 applications, reviewed by Liz Zimmer
Entomology: 7 applications, reviewed by Mike
Pogue
Invertebrate Zoology: 3 applications, reviewed
by Ashleigh Smythe
Mineral Science & Geology: 7 applications,
reviewed by Tim McCoy
Paleobiology: 19 applications, reviewed by
Gene Hunt
Vertebrate Zoology: 24 applications, reviewed
by Ron Heyer
Semifinalist
evaluation began at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning,
5 Feb 07 and was completed by 4:00 p.m. Thursday
afternoon, 8 Feb 07. Reviewers worked independently.
Reviewers identified 37 candidates for forwarding
as finalists. Due to limited advisor availability
and the large review set a second review of the
anthropology candidates was conducted to determine
possible placement in other disciplines. There
were 3 additional folders forwarded and 2 removed.
There
were 38 applicants originally identified as finalists.
The preliminary set included 25 (66%) females
and 13 (34%) males; 4 freshman, 8 sophomores,
20 seniors and 6 non-graduating seniors; 24 (63%)
US citizens and 14 (37%) non-US citizens representing
8 different countries (Argentina,
Brazil (2), Canada (2), Colombia (5), Ecuador,
Germany, India, and Indonesia); 14 different states
were represented (California (2), Iowa, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Maryland (3), Michigan, North Carolina
(2), New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (2), Pennsylvania
(4), Puerto Rico, Virginia (2), Wisconsin (2);
and 34 different colleges and universities were
represented.
Potential
advisors were invited to review applications and
to offer their recommendations. Advisor review
began Tuesday, 6 Feb 07 at 10:00 a.m. and concluded
Friday 9 Feb 07 at noon. There were at least 10
potential advisors who elected to review application
documents (including: Baldwin, Braun, deQueiroz,
Faden, Hunt, McCoy, Norenburg, Ortner, Woodman,
and Zeder). There were 2 applicants identified
by potential advisors for forwarding to the finalist
set. In addition, 2 folders were found in the
finalist set that had not been selected by prescreening
panelists or specifically claimed as being forwarded
by potential advisors. After careful assessment
it was decided to keep these 2 as part of the
finalist set as well.
On
Saturday, 10 Feb 07, a final evaluation was conducted
of all applicants not identified by judges as
finalists to ensure that each application received
a fair review and those best suited for final
consideration were in the finalist set. This evaluation
was conducted by two different reviewers working
independently, the RTP Program Director and a
student participant (Matthew Oreska) in the RTP
'06 program. There were 11 applicants specifically
identified for further consideration. Both evaluators
independently selected the same 4 candidates for
forwarding as finalists. After careful consideration
3 of these were forwarded to the finalist set.
Finalist Review
The
review of finalist candidates began promptly Monday,
12 Feb 07 at 8:00 a.m. and the listing of finalists
was released to the web site at 11:30 a.m. that
same day.
Judges
had until noon, Friday 23 Feb 07 to complete their
evaluation and submit final scores and ranks.
Reviewers
typically score differently with some generally
awarding higher scores and others awarding lower
scores. To adjust for these differences, finalist
scores were normalized based on applicant rank.
The
judges met in the Academic Resources Center (ARC)
Tuesday, 27 February 2007 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
to discuss final rankings, nominate the target
of 10 candidates for participation and identify
complementary research advisors to host students.
The meeting concluded at 1:30 p.m. resulting in
13 nominees for participation and 8 alternates.
Following
interviews with research staff to discuss potential
placements, and several adjustments, we nominated
12 applicants for further consideration and possible
placement in the 2007 session of the Research
Training Program.
In
accordance with Federal standards, the Smithsonian
issued new requirements on Friday, 9 Mar 07 for
all individuals serving any appointment with the
Institution (interns, volunteers, fellows, contractors,
associates, collaborators, etc.). Positions at
the National Museum of Natural History have been
classified as non-critical sensitive and therefore
all new and renewing appointments require completion/submission
of standard Federal forms including OF 306 (Declaration
for Federal Employment) and SF 86 (Fingerprint
Chart) prior to award confirmation. Individuals
under the age of 18 are exempt from the process.
RTP nominees were contacted by e-mail with further
instruction. All nominees were send a Smithsonian
fingerprinting card; will need to take this to
their local police station to be fingerprinted
and mailed back to the Smithsonian Office of Protective
Services (OPS). Approximately 2 weeks after OPS
receives both the nominees fingerprints and completed
form OF 306 a determination will be made if the
nominee can be further considered for placement
in a position at the Smithsonian.
Nominees
were required to schedule an over-the-phone interview
to discuss their motivation to participate in
the Research Training Program and other details
about joining the program. To be considered further
nominees must be available for full participation
in the entire session of the Research Training
Program beginning Sunday 27 May 2007 through Saturday
4 August 2007. Nominees not available for full
participation must disclose any conflicts during
the over the phone interview and submit these
in writing to the RTP panel.
In
addition to the 13 students originally nominated
for further consideration to join the 2007 session
of the RTP, 9 applicants were nominated as alternates.
At this time alternates did not need to do anything
further until otherwise notified.
Nominees:
-
ARGUELLO, Alexander (to work with Bob Kula)
- EMERY, Leslie (to work
with Dick Thorington and Neal Woodman)
- FIGUEROLA HERNENDEZ, Cielo
(to work with Jon Coddington)
FISCHER, Rebecca (to work with Elizabeth Cottrell)
HARROWER, Emma (to work with Paul Peterson)
HERRERA, Santiago (to work with Steve Cairns
and Allen Collins)
KEMP, Addison (to work with Stan Weitzman)
LAGOMARSINO, Laura (to work with John Kress)
LINZMEIER, Benjamin (to work with Marty Buzas)
MARQUARDT, Amy (to work with Tim McCoy and
Ed Vicenzi)
PILAAR, Suzanne (to work with Melinda Zeder)
- PITTMAN, Shannon (to
work with Roy McDiarmid and Ron Heyer)
RHODES, Kristopher (to work with Bill DiMichele)
Alternates:
BYRD,
Rachael
FIRMENICH, Annika
FLOREZ, Laura
GUNDA, Thushara
HOWARD, Tara
- LAUMER, Christopher
SANIN RIANO, Camilo
WICAKSONO,
Satrio
Additional
Nominees:
-
BITTNER, Noelle (to work with Kevin de Queiroz)
- CRUZ, Stephanie (to
work with Brian Huber)
FLOREZ, Laura (to work with Carla Dove)
FURNESS, Andrew (to work with Roy McDiarmid
and Ron Heyer)
MARROQUIN, Cecily (to work with Alain Touwaide)
MORALES, Rodrigo
SILVA, Elis Marina (to work with Al Gardner)
SUPER, James (to work with Brian Huber)
WICAKSONO, Satrio (to work with Gene Hunt)
At
the time of announcement (7 March 2007), one position
remained undeclared, pending discussion with potential
advisors and proposed projects. The
13th placement was confirmed Thursday morning,
8 Mar 07 and released to the web site by noon
that same day. Telephone interviews were scheduled
for Thursday, 8 Mar 07 and Monday 12 Mar 07. Three
students (Emery, Figuerola and Pittman)
had already accepted another offer and therefore
declined the phone interview and removed themselves
from further consideration. One alternate (Laumer)
had also accepted another offer and also removed
his name from further consideration. Following
the phone interviews a fourth student declined
(Arguello). Research topics and proposed
student/advisor teams were released to the web
site 14 Mar 07. Placement in alternate positions
began Friday, 9 Mar 07. Two alternate nominees
(Bittner and Cruz) had already accepted
another position and therefore declined further
consideration.
Nominees
had until Friday, 23 Mar 07 to submit their personal
summaries for review by the selection panel and
posting on the web.
The
RTP base budget provides for 4 positions. The
program also is supported by three endowments
(The Alice Eve Kennington Endowment, The Bill
and Jean Lane Endowment, and The Smithsonian Women's
Committee Endowment). This year these endowments
will support 5-6 positions. The RTP received a
grant from the Latino Initiatives fund to sponsor
3 students in the upcoming session. Recipients
must be US citizens who consider themselves Hispanic.
One of the Museum's endowments, the Dick Benson
Endowment, was re-directed on Wednesday, 21 Mar
07 so as to sponsor a student (Wicaksono)
in the RTP. In addition, a generous donation from
an outside donor, the Honorable Max Berry, was
received Friday, 23 Mar 07 thereby providing another
position in the '07 RTP as well as sponsoring
opportunities for RTP '07 participants to engage
in complementary activities during the summer
such as attending a professional meeting and joining
in 1-2 weeks of field research.
Of
the students eligible for support through the
three Latino Initiatives funded positions only
one student accepted this as their funding source
and therefore other placements had to be redirected.
Total
Applications Received: 133
| |
Name |
App.
|
Grades
or
Trans.
|
Cover
Letter
|
First
Ref.
|
Second
Ref.
|
Comments |
| C |
AGUIRRE-TAPIERO,
Maria del Pilar |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
ALVAREZ,
Gustavo |
YES
|
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
ARGUELLO,
Alexander |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
BASS,
Jenna |
YES
|
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
| |
BENNETT,
Nichole |
YES
|
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BITTNER,
Noelle |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BOAS,
Melissa |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BRANDT,
Adam |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BRISKER,
Daniel |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BURGEI,
Nathan |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
BYRD,
Rachael |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
CARDOSO,
Poliana |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
CATER,
Lauren |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
CHAPARRO
AGUIRRE, Elisa |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
CHONG,
Sean |
|
|
YES
|
|
|
|
| |
CLARK,
Lauren |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
|
|
|
| C |
CLASEN,
Rebecca |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
COBO
VIVEROS, Alba |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
COLBURN,
Benjamin |
|
|
|
YES
|
|
|
| |
COLLINS,
Theophilos |
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CONKLIN,
Katherine |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
|
| C |
CRIHFIELD,
Anastasia |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
CRISWELL,
Katharine |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
CRUZ,
Stephanie |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
CUTILLO,
Christine |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
Rec.
after deadline |
| C |
DELANOY,
James Thomas |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
DONOVAL,
Suzanne |
YES
|
YES
|
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
EMERY,
Leslie |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
ESQUIVIA-ZAPATA,
Camilo |
YES
|
|
|
|
|
|
| C |
FELICE,
Ryan |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
FIGUEROLA
HERNANDEZ, Cielo |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
FIRMENICH,
Annika |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
FISCHER,
Rebecca |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
FLOREZ,
Laura |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
FURNESS,
Andrew |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
GEORGE,
Krista |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
GRANT,
Heather |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
GUEVARA-NIETO,
Hedda Michelle |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
GUNDA,
Thushara |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
HALE,
Brittany |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
aka
Rachel Eubank? |
| C |
HALE,
Katherine |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
HARROWER,
Emma |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
HARTMAN,
Rosemary |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
HEIL,
Natalie |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
HERNANDEZ,
Sonia Eleonora |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
HERRERA,
Santiago |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
HERRERA,
Tania |
YES
|
ok
|
|
|
|
Rec.
after deadline |
|
HEWITT,
Margaret |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
Rec.
after deadline |
| |
HIRJI,
Zahra |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
HOUSER,
Michelle |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
| C |
HOWARD,
Tara |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
JUNKIN,
Isabel |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
| |
KARAMALI,
Mariam |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
| C |
KELLY,
Eva |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| |
KEMP,
Addison |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
KOLESNYKOVA,
Mariia |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
KRANTZ,
Melendy |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| C |
KWON,
Michelle |
YES
|
ok
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
