Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Mountain Lake Biological Station

University Of Virginia Main Campus, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS, University of Virginia) offers ten students a summer opportunity to conduct independent, self-motivated, interdisciplinary, and original biological research in experimental, field-based ecology, evolution, and behavior. Under the close supervision and guidance of a research mentor, and the program coordinator, students design, execute, analyze, interpret, and present a self-contained research project within the ten weeks of the program. Many student projects are published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Students participate in weekly seminars on the design and conduct of research, scientific ethics, writing and presentation techniques, and other matters of scientific and academic life. Students prepare written and oral proposals and final reports. Participants also take advantage of the rich, varied, and stimulating intellectual and social life at Mountain Lake. MLBS hosts two formal research seminars per week, which include both in-house and invited speakers. All Station residents eat meals together in the common dining hall, and most daily activity revolves around the central lab building where all research programs are housed. And since field sites are often within walking distance, interactions among all Station users occur constantly, resulting in a remarkably supportive and collaborative environment. Researchers from large universities and small colleges return to the Station year after year - some for 10, 20, even 30 years. Sixty to eighty principal investigators, course faculty, post-docs, graduate and undergraduate students, and high school students are in residence at the Station throughout the summer. MLBS has hosted an NSF REU-Sites program continuously since 1993 and has graduated well over 100 students - over half have gone on to pursue graduate training in biology. The program is very successful at attracting women and students from small colleges where research may not be a focus. Minority students and those in underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.