Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship under Jane Teranes' leadership (JT-SURF)
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a part of the University of California, San Diego, is hosting the Jane Teranes - Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (JT-SURF) for the summer of 2025. This Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to immerse undergraduate students in world-renowned earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences research.
The program focuses on fostering research skills and scientific inquiry among undergraduates, providing exposure to real-world scientific research and methodologies. It aims to encourage and develop research skills in promising early-career scholars, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of students pursuing Earth and ocean sciences career pathways.
### Research Areas and Projects
The JT-SURF program centres on earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences, incorporating projects like coral reef ecology. One notable area of research includes the use of photogrammetry to build detailed 3D models of coral reefs, complementing long-term ecological monitoring. Students can expect to work on projects like the Sandin Lab’s 100 Island Challenge, which documents reefs across 100 islands using digital collections and time series data.
### Eligibility and Benefits
The program targets undergraduate students, particularly those early in their college career interested in earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences. While specific application requirements are not detailed, typical NSF REU programs seek students with demonstrated interest and aptitude in STEM fields.
Selected participants will benefit from hands-on research experience in a highly regarded oceanography institution, opportunities to work directly with leading scientists and labs such as the Sandin Lab, and skill development in cutting-edge techniques like photogrammetry and ecological monitoring. Students will also gain experience with both in-person and virtual research environments, adapting to diverse formats as seen during COVID-19 disruptions.
Academic and professional growth is another key benefit, often inspiring continued study in graduate programs or professional STEM careers. Additionally, students will connect to meaningful research that impacts communities and environments, such as coral reef conservation relevant to their home regions.
### Diversity and Inclusion
Applicants of any race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or veteran status are welcome and will be equally considered. Students who are members of historically under-represented groups in earth and ocean sciences, including Hispanic/Latine, Black or African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American or Alaska Native, and LGBTQIA+ are encouraged to apply. The program also recruits students from institutions with limited undergraduate research opportunities.
In summary, the JT-SURF REU program at Scripps Oceanography is designed to immerse undergraduate students in earth, ocean, and atmospheric science research, developing their skills for future STEM careers while contributing to important ecological projects like coral reef studies. It provides mentoring, research opportunities, and career development benefits to selected participants. More information on areas of research at Scripps can be found online, and students will have the opportunity to present the results of their summer research at a national conference.
The JT-SURF program, aimed at fostering research skills and scientific inquiry among undergraduates, offers opportunities to work on projects in marine biology, specifically coral reef ecology, utilizing advanced techniques like photogrammetry. As part of the Science, Education-and-self-development field, this program encourages promising early-career scholars to pursue careers in earth and ocean sciences, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
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