[Bioundgrd] Fwd: UROP opening

[Kathleen Long]

>
>
>        On-Campus
>
>Media Lab/ Tangible Media
>
>Title:
>
>The Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Plants for Environmental monitoring
>
>There is currently an opening for a student to research the
>use of living plants as environmental sensors.  More specifically, we want
>to study the effect of certain environmental stimuli on
>photosynthesis of living plants.  To monitor phtosynthesis , we have
>built our own battery-powered portable devices that continuously
>monitor chlorophyll fluoerescence inside the leaves.  The value of this
>work is 3-fold: environmental sensing (what can plants tell us about the
>environment?), education (promote an interest and appreciation for plants
>and living things in general), entertainment (for science museums, public
>spaces, and consumer electronics)  The origins of some of this work dates
>back to the late 1800s but has become a lost art.  We seek a student who
>has a strong interest/knowldge of plant physiology (which is not
>generaly taught at MIT) who is willing to do independent learning and
>data collection using our sensors.  This includes surveying the ongoing
>literature as well as carrying out experiments in our lab and
>outdoors.  Green thumb, home garden, and basic knowledge of simple
>electronics a plus.  We are looking for a responsible student that is able
>to work full-time for the summer and contunue into the fall term.  If you
>are interested, please send e-mail and indicate to which and posting you
>are replying.
>
>Please contact: Dr. Rich Fletcher (fletcher at media.mit.edu)
>
>Faculty Supervisor-Prof. Hiroshi Ishii