Current Projects
Evolutionary Ecology (#001)
Principal Investigator: Puni Jeyasingh, Zoology (501 LSW, 405-744-9634)
Project Description
What are the effects of nutrient pollution on the livelihood of organisms—those we depend on (e.g., for fresh drinking water)? Data on a small crustacean from lakes in Minnesota that filters lake water revealed some important answers. We “resurrected” ancient resting eggs laid in the 18th century and compared their DNA, physiology, morphology, and ecological function with those living currently. These ancient critters are alive and kicking in our lab. There are several exciting questions that can be answered using these organisms—ideal projects for undergraduate research. Tasks are designed to allow for a thorough experience in doing science, and will include: reading the primary literature, designing experiments, collecting data, interpreting data, and routine lab maintenance.
Duration/Time Commitment
This is an ongoing project. In our experience, undergraduate students are in a position to design and execute exciting research after a semester of training. Students can enroll for research credit (e.g., ZOOL 4700). Generally, students enroll for 2 or 3 credit hours, which translates to 6 or 9 hours spent in the lab per week.
Required Skills
Enthusiasm for doing science! We’ll teach you all the rest. This exposure will no doubt enhance the college experience for students majoring in any of the biological sciences.
Project Website
http://www.elementalbiology.info
Comments
Our lab encourages and assists undergraduates to compete for scholarships—a great way to bolster your curriculum vitae in preparation for any profession after graduation.
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Floras of North America (#003)
Principal Investigator: Michael Palmer, Botany (421 PS, 405-744-7717)
Project Description
The Floras of North America Project involves the patterns of plant diversity in our continent. It is an intensive bibliographic undertaking. I am currently seeking a student worker to gather data from the primary literature, perform library work, as well as mapping and geographic interpolation. There will be some routine office work as well. There may be occasional opportunities for fieldwork for interested students, as well as writing and analysis.
Duration/Time Commitment
The research will last through 2015, but current funding for paid positions expires in August 2013. There is sufficient funding for either one student working 20 hours per week, or two students working 10 hours per week, or up to full time work during the summer.
Required Skills
Students must know the basics of botanical classification. Solid map skills and knowledge of the metric system are required. Proficiency in Excel, GIS, and statistics are desirable but not required. Students must be patient, have a good work ethic, and be disciplined in reporting accomplishments and time spent on tasks. Interested people should read the website before making further inquiries.
Project Website
http://botany.okstate.edu/floras
Comments
In addition to the position described above, work study positions are available for those with valid awards. Our laboratory has many other projects (including fire ecology, moss diversity, forest dynamics, etc.) that work study students or volunteers can assist with if intersted.
Funding available for qualified students: Yes
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Molecular Biology of Milkweeds (#004)
Principal Investigator: Mark Fishbein, Botany (HBRC 220P, (405)744-4757)
Project Description
Two projects are underway:
1) Determine the phylogenetic relationships among milkweed species using DNA sequences obtained through PCR and molecular cloning. The student will be trained in all necessary laboratory skills to obtain DNA sequences. With the sufficient motivation and analytical skills, the student may participate in computational analyses of gene sequences.
2) Analyze the evolution of genes involved in defending plants against insects and pathogens. The student will be trained in all necessary laboratory skills to obtain DNA sequences. With the sufficient motivation and analytical skills, the student may participate in computational analyses of gene sequences.
Duration/Time Commitment
Students interested in this ongoing research should be available to work 5-10 hr per week during the academic year.
Required Skills
Introductory courses in any area of life sciences or computer sciences are required. No other training is required, but laboratory experience is desirable.
Project Website
http://fishbein.okstate.edu
Comments
My preference is for students seeking independent study credit. However, well qualified students may be eligible for a paid position.
Funding available for qualified students: Yes
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Avian Behavioral and Physiological Ecology (#005)
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Grindstaff, Zoology (526 LSW, 405-744-9676)
Project Description
We are investigating how exposure to stressors during development affects adult physiology and behavior using the zebra finch as a model system. Undergraduates participating in this project will have the opportunity to design and execute their own research using zebra finches after learning and mastering techniques utilized in the lab: animal husbandry, behavioral analysis, blood sampling, immune response assays, and database management.
Duration/Time Commitment
This is an ongoing project. We are primarily seeking one paid undergraduate research assistant to contribute to ongoing research efforts in the lab, but also welcome participation by students interested in enrolling in research credits (ZOOL 4700). For the paid research assistant position, the student is expected to begin work in Summer 2012 and continue work through at least Spring semester 2013. The time commitment per week will be approximately 7-8 hours.
Required Skills
The undergraduate research assistant must be dependable, conscientious and able to work both independently and as a member of a team. We will teach you everything else! Students will be required to complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training and Animal Care and Use Training prior to initiating work.
Project Website
http://web.me.com/jlgrind/Site/Home.html
Comments
For students interested in field work with Eastern bluebirds, we have research credit (ZOOL 4700) and volunteer opportunities available during Summer and Fall 2012.
Funding available for qualified students: Yes
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Stabilization and Storage of Rare Mammalian Specimens (#006)
Principal Investigator: Karen McBee, Department of Zoology and OSU Collection of Vertebrates (LSW 305, (405)744-9680)
Project Description
OSU Collection of Vertebrates has approximately 500 tanned hides of mammalian specimens from North and South America and Africa, especially Ethiopia. Some of these specimens are between 50 and 80 years old and range from small cats such as servals to zebras, elk, and wildebeest. We are exploring innovative ways to stabilize and store these specimens so that they may continue to be used in teaching and research activities at OSU. We are seeking undergraduates who have an interest in natural history museums and methods for curation and conservation of rare and fragile specimens.
Duration/Time Commitment
This is an ongoing project. We are seeking one research assistant to contribute to devising and implementing a novel storage method for these specimens during Summer 2012. We are particularly interested in a student who will enroll in research hours (ZOOL 4700), but also welcome volunteers. This is not a paid position. There is potential for the project to result in a poster or platform presentation by the student at professional meetings in Spring 2013. The time commitment per week is approximately 6-8 hours.
Required Skills
The undergraduate research assistant must be dependable, able to work as part of a team and independently, skills in carpentry and/or sewing will be advantageous. Some knowledge of mammalian taxonomy is desirable but not required.
Project Website
http://zoology.okstate.edu/index.php/collections
Funding available for qualified students: No
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Hemispheric Differences in Language Processing (#007)
Principal Investigator: Shelia Kennison, Psychology (116 North Murray, 405-744-7335)
Project Description
Recent research has shown that there are individual differences in how quickly information is transferred from one brain hemisphere to the other via the corpus callosum. In our lab, we can measure interhemisphere transfer time (IHTT). We are carrying out experiments in which we hypothesize that language processing tasks will involve the transfer of information from the right to the left hemisphere. In these experiments, we aim to show that reaction time in the language processing tasks will be related to individuals’ IHTT. The results of the research will have both theoretical and practical implications. Studies with knowledge of languages other than English are encouraged to apply.
Duration/Time Commitment
The research is carried out throughout the year. The time commitment can be variable depending on availability. The ideal time commitment is at least 9 hours per week during the academic year or 20 hours a week during summer.
Required Skills
All students are welcome, regardless of skill-level. Those who have had statistics and/or research methods are preferred, but it is never too early to start getting lab experience.
Comments
Students may earn course credit under Psyc 4990.
Funding available for qualified students: No
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Geographic Variation in Ozark Stream Fish (#008)
Principal Investigator: Michael Tobler, Zoology (501 Life Sciences West, (405)744-5555)
Project Description
Streams of the Ozark mountains harbor diverse fish assemblages. Due to their specific habitat requirements, many species exhibit high site fidelity and little movement. We are interested in investigating whether various species of minnows and darters exhibit any geographic variation in morphological features and whether such variation relates to the environmental conditions in streams. Depending on the level of involvement and time commitment, this project includes morphological analyses in the laboratory (by use of photographic tools) and fish sampling in the natural habitats.
Duration/Time Commitment
We look for students who would like to invest between 3 and 12 hours per week in the fall semester. There is a potential to continue in the spring, and there are summer internships available for committed students.
Required Skills
Background in basic biology; zoology, physiology, and biology majors preferred.
Project Website
http://www.sulfide-life.info/mtobler/
Comments
Paid summer internships are available for students in summer 2013. In the past years, such internships have been awarded to students that gained experience in working in our lab during the fall and spring semesters.
Funding available for qualified students: Yes
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OSU Museum of Art Student Internships (#011)
Principal Investigator: Louise Siddons, Oklahoma State University Museum of Art (108 Bartlett Center, (405)744-6086)
Project Description
Internships at the OSU Museum of Art (including in the Gardiner Gallery) provide training for students interested in gaining administrative experience in an art gallery setting and in working with a permanent art collection.
Three internships/projects are available each semester:
- Exhibition research interns work to identify, research, write about significant objects in the permanent art collection.
- Collection research interns will work on creating basic object paper files for artists represented in OSU’s permanent art collection and expanding the database and records.
- Gallery interns will learn about preparing an exhibition, exhibition layout, art handling skills, and how to use installation tools.
Duration/Time Commitment
The Museum offers opportunities to three undergraduate interns each semester. Internships are taken for academic credit, and each intern is expected to work between three and nine hours per week.
Required Skills
Internships are open to any student in art history, studio art, graphic design, or a related field who is interested in gaining experience in working in a museum, working with, exploring, and documenting a permanent art collection, or working in a gallery setting.
Project Website
http://museum.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=85
Funding available for qualified students: No
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