[bioundgrd] FW: UROP in EAPS

[Joshua Stone]

From: Megan Jordan <mkjordan at mit.edu>
Subject: UROP in EAPS




Please share this UROP opportunity with your undergrads if you see appropriate, the faculty member thought your students would be a good fit.



Thanks -Megan

_______________________________________________________________________



Period:  Fall 2020

Department:  EAPS

Faculty Supervisor:  Mick Follows

Direct Supervisor:  Deepa Rao

Project Title: (Re)mapping a key marine phytoplankton’s distribution<https://urop.mit.edu/content/remapping-key-marine-phytoplankton%E2%80%99s-distribution-suitable-remote-work?fbclid=IwAR1MsfBOsyuPzBIXDLkSxuGRUiJWz3iJrjncrR7xguqmoJzZpCVUIC8Addk>



Project Description: Microscopic marine plants (phytoplankton) are critical influencers of Earth’s climate. Collectively, they are responsible for half of our planet’s net primary production and for transporting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep ocean through the ocean’s biological pump. There is a vast diversity of phytoplankton, but certain ones are keystone species that affect the structure and function of marine microbial ecosystems; such as members of the Phaeocystis genus, a phytoplankton group with a global distribution and unique ecological niche due to its complex life cycle that transitions between flagellated solitary cells and non-motile colonial cells. An updated review of this genus is long overdue that includes new biogeographical patterns based on field observations and environmental multi-omic data (genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic). The UROP will be responsible for a meta-analysis of literature (2005 - onwards) to compile a dataset on the distribution of this genus in the global ocean. After which, a search will be conducted in available field observations to build a presence/absence database of the genus. This data will inform model-observation comparisons, especially in previously overlooked ocean gyre regions. We are seeking a UROP student who is interested in environmental science, ecology, microbiology, and oceanography. UROPs will also be able to join weekly lab meetings to learn more broadly about the growing field of microbial oceanography, participate in discussions, and connect with researchers. Estimated hours per week: 5-10 Time period: Fall 2020 Wage rate: $13/hour, Maximum of $1,900 per student. This is a remote opportunity. Required documents: A brief statement of interest and your CV. Please email us if you have further questions. Please apply by September 13th or earlier. First year students are encouraged!

Pre-requisites: Interest in environmental science, ecology, microbiology, and oceanography.

Contact: Deepa Rao, drao at mit.edu<mailto:drao at mit.edu>

URL if you have one: https://urop.mit.edu/content/remapping-key-marine-phytoplankton%E2%80%99s-distribution-suitable-remote-work?fbclid=IwAR1MsfBOsyuPzBIXDLkSxuGRUiJWz3iJrjncrR7xguqmoJzZpCVUIC8Addk
Any departments other than EAPS that you want targeted: CEE, Biology, Bioengineering




--
Megan K. Jordan, Ed.D.
Academic Program Administrator

Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue,  54-910
Cambridge, MA   02139

617.253.3380
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