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REU: Urban Watershed Development – Duke University, NC

by Kris Pieper on April 3, 2015

PURPOSE: The Bernhardt lab (http://bernhardtlab.weebly.com/) at Duke University has a research experience for undergraduates (REU) position open for the summer of 2015. The REU student will design and conduct a study that contributes to a larger project examining how variability in urban watershed development affects receiving streams.


DESCRIPTION: Most of the urban growth projected until 2030 is expected to occur in medium to small sized cities (population 1-5 million), yet neither the structure nor the effects of the intermediate intensity development characteristic of these cities on aquatic ecosystems are well understood. This project is exploring how differences in urban landscape characteristics within a narrow range of intermediate development intensity drive variation in the water quality of receiving streams.
Over the past year and a half we have been monitoring the pour point of 24 watersheds throughout the NC Piedmont Triangle. The REU student will be expected to work with a team of researchers to develop a study which addresses an aspect of our overarching question. Potential projects include linking urban landscape characteristics to: suspended sediment and contaminant transport during storm flows, stream metabolism during disturbance events, variation in microbial activity, organic matter and nutrient dynamics, and other related projects. The REU student will be involved in both the field and laboratory components of this work. She/he will also participate in some of the stream monitoring, which will provide the background data needed to interpret the results within the broader context of the project.


REQUIREMENTS: Experience with field research in an ecology, hydrology, or biogeochemistry lab a plus but not necessary. Background or at least one environmental science, ecology, and chemistry course is required. Must be self-motivated and able to work without direct supervision. Must have a driver’s license and be willing to drive a large lab vehicle. We are especially interested in students who would like to gain research experience that will contribute to a thesis.


Name of Student’s Supervisors: Joanna Blaszczak, Joseph Delesantro, Dr. Emily Bernhardt
Position/Time Frame: ~9 weeks with summer stipend
How to apply: Send your resume, including your GPA, relevant classes taken, and a brief description of why you are interested and relevant experience to Joanna Blaszczak at urbanstreamsRT@gmail.com

Application Deadline: Friday, April 10th, 2015

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