Miami University will conduct an REU site on Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes. Students will spend 10 weeks in the summer engaged in collaborative, multi-disciplinary research emphasizing ecological questions in landscapes heavily influenced by human activity. The project will recruit a diverse group of students including underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, and students from colleges with little research opportunities. Students will conduct individual projects with the guidance of faculty mentors, and be part of a research "cluster" consisting of 3-4 students and their mentors. Students in a cluster will collaborate, focusing on a theme that ties together individual research topics. Thus, students will have the opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary research teams, structured similarly to research groups solving real-world problems. Whole-group activities, including a workshop on the scientific profession, careers in ecology, preparation and delivery of scientific presentations, and other aspects of research will be offered. Students will participate in sessions on scientific and environmental ethics, and field trips to sites of local ecological interest. Finally, each student will present his or her research as an oral presentation, an electronic poster, and a written paper that will be developed into a manuscript for publication. Miami University has excellent facilities for executing this REU site, including a diverse array of human-dominated ecosystems (including a nearby field station), and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Miami has a long and excellent history of involving undergraduates in research. More information is available by visiting www.muohio.edu/ecoreu or by contacting David J. Berg (bergdj@muohio, 513-529-3174).
This Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site titled Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes, engaged students in collaborative, multi-disciplinary research emphasizing ecological questions in landscapes altered by human activity. The goal of the project was to educate students in the scientific basis for solving environmental problems. Because of the complexity of environmental problems, students experienced in collaborative research will be better prepared to solve such problems. Each student project was part of a research "cluster" consisting of 3-4 student/mentor pairs pursuing projects that were thematically linked. Clusters were multi-disciplinary research teams, structured similarly to research groups solving real-world problems. Intellectual Merit Over 10 weeks, students designed and executed their own research projects, integrated their research with that of other students, and considered the larger implications of human domination of landscapes, and the role of science in solving environmental problems. Each student gave a talk at our summer-ending symposium attended by Miami faculty and students and presented an electronic poster describing their research which was posted on the program website (www.muohio.edu/ecoreu). Students worked with their mentors to finalize projects for publication after returning to their home institutions. Students participated in enrichment activities, including a course on "Principles of the Scientific Profession" and an Ethics workshop where students were introduced to ethical theory and the practice of scientific and environmental ethics in the context of working with others. This approach helped them appreciate the challenges and responsibilities that come with conducting science in the 21st century. Most participants (14 of 24) are attending graduate school. Several other students are employed in jobs in the sciences or education. All students presented their findings at symposia held at Miami University, with additional presentations made at professional conferences. Two participants have authored papers, and several manuscripts are in review. In the 11 years of our program, participants have been authors on 18 publications in peer- reviewed journals and nine more papers have been submitted. We have had 58 student presentations at conferences and a majority of the participants from previous years’ programs (65%) are currently in or have completed graduate school at such institutions as Cornell, Arizona, Yale, and Pittsburgh; others are enrolled in or have completed professional school. Seventeen are working in a science field, including several who earned MS degrees. A majority of students indicated that the program far exceeded their expectations (mean score of 4.8 out of 5). One student wrote, "The best part of this experience was the amount of knowledge I gained… this experience helped to enhance my understanding of ecology." Another said, "I had a wonderful time and my experience was great. I learned many new things and now I want my PhD for sure. No more question of an MD." One commented that he or she "would never have gotten my job at the CBR Institute if it had not been for REU." Broader Impacts Participants were recruited nationally, with attention focused on students from underrepresented groups and from institutions with limited research opportunities. Colleagues from universities across the United States including Puerto Rico assisted with recruiting. We made annual recruiting trips to Puerto Rico. The Director of Diversity Enhancement at Miami recruited for our program at the same time she recruited for graduate programs, recognizing our program as a wonderful opportunity for minority students to learn about research at Miami as a preface to entering our graduate programs. Participant diversity was high: 58% (14 of 24) of participants were members of minority groups and 54% (13 of 24) first-generation college students. Percentage of students from schools with few research opportunities was 38%. The minority participation is especially noteworthy given that Miami's service region and student body are both 86% white, non- Hispanic. Participants have been very strong academically (mean GPA = 3.45). Our program aimed to provide undergraduates with opportunities to conduct cutting edge research, while also seeking to help them understand a broader context for their work by providing a coordinated program in the ecology of human-dominated landscapes that focused on collaborations between students and faculty mentors, broader collaborations within in clusters, and enrichment activities aiming to help participants place their project in a larger context. Noteworthy is the diversity of our applicant pool and participants. Immersion in a collaborative research experience designed to address global issues empowered some of our nation's brightest students with the confidence and skills that allowed them to critically examine environmental issues and become leaders in working for solutions to environmental problems.
