9505351 Cook The International Junior Investigator and Postdoctoral Fellows Program enables U.S. scientists and engineers to conduct three to twenty-four months of research abroad. The program's awards provide opportunities for joint research, and the use of unique or complementary facilities, expertise and experimental conditions abroad. This award will support a twelve-month postdoctoral research visit by Dr. Carolyn D. Cook to work with Mr. Mateus Kilmaskossu at Cenderawasih in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. The goal of this project is to plan and do research towards developing the potential of indigenous Pandanus agroforestry with the Amung-me people of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. They will conduct background research providing the basis for this development which will promote biodiversity while creating a sustainable enterprise. These people have no sources of income but desire to enter a new market system in their province. They lack the skills and education to mine at the nearby mining company. These two elements make them ripe to learn a new area of specialization which could raise their self esteem, plus allow them to make a living. This project aims to establish a network of communication and exchange of knowledge among faculty and students of Cenderawasih University, the Amung-me, government officials, non-government organizations, future researchers and beyond. ***
