Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for FY 2003

Cardelus, Catherine, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for FY2003. The goal of the fellowship is to increase the participation of minority scientists at the postdoctoral level and to prepare them for positions of scientific leadership in academia and industry. To attain this goal, the fellowship provides opportunities for postdoctoral training and research of the highest quality to recent doctoral recipients. It is expected that Fellows supported through these fellowships will play important roles in training of the future workforce. The research and training plan is entitled "Does epiphyte functional diversity affect nutrient partitioning and retention in tropical wet forest canopies?" Despite their importance to biodiversity in tropical forest canopies, little is known about how epiphytes acquire nutrients. This study investigates nitrogen and phosphorus partitioning and retention in these plants and if resource partitioning is a mechanism for maintaining species richness.