Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023

Applicants for the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 REU Program will need to complete an online application form. In addition to this form, students must also submit the following items, preferably in one email (excluding recommendation letters).

1. A one- to two-page resume or curriculum vitae describing any relevant jobs, internships, volunteer work, scholarships and/or other activities that you have held or participated in and other skills or accomplishments that you wish to identify.
2. A one- to two-page Statement of Interest describing your interests and career goals, the reasons why you hope to be selected for the program, how participation in the program will influence your career development, and the top two mentors that you hope to work with and why.
3. An electronic copy of your current college transcript. UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE PREFERRED.
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals capable of commenting in your academic qualifications. Letters of recommendation MUST be sent from the person writing the letter, preferably via email to REU@unf.edu either as an attachment or within the body of the email.

The deadline for applications is March 19, 2024

Check back regularly. More REU mentors will be added shortly!

Nikki Dix, GTM NERR

Dr. Jim Gelsleichter, Shark Biology, Physiology, and Ecotoxicology

Dr. Gelsleichter's research program focuses on population ecology, reproductive biology, and ecotoxicology of fish, particularly sharks and their relatives. REU students working with Dr. Gelsleichter will conduct research projects focused on a diverse number of topics such as shark abundance in northeast Florida waters, the roles of gonadal steroids in shark sexual differentiation, stress responses in sharks, reproductive effects of methylmercury, and the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico fishes.

Dr. Quincy Gibson, Dolphin Population Dynamics

Dr. Gibson's research is focused on the behavioral ecology of marine mammals, with an emphasis on social complexity and population dynamics. REU students working with Dr. Gibson participate in weekly boat-based photo-identification and behavioral surveys of estuarine bottlenose dolphins in the St. Johns River (SJR). Past student's projects have examined the link between female dolphin sociality and reproductive success, the impact of a large-scale unusual mortality event on SJR dolphins, and the prevalence of skin lesions as a non-invasive indicator of dolphin health.

Dr. Matt Gilg, Evolutionary Genetics

Dr. Gilg’s research program focuses on exploring the genetic basis of traits important for response to climate change, invasive species management and the evolutionary implications of hybridization.  REU students working with Dr. Gilg will conduct research projects focused on tolerance of coral species to stressors like elevated temperature and light intensity, the genetic diversity of introduced species of marine mussels, or the role habitat plays in hybridization of local killifish species. 

Dr. Laura Habegger, Functional morphology and biomechanics in fishes

Dr. Habegger is a functional morphologist interested in understanding how form affects the function of a variety of structural components in vertebrates, particularly fishes. Her research interests are wide ranging from the estimation of bite forces among marine top marine predators to the elucidation of the osteological composition and formation of extreme skull adaptations. Students working with Dr. Habegger will be involved in different projects ranging from understanding the role of scleral ossicles in the eye of fishes, working with shark skin, the biomechanics of vertebra of fast-moving fishes and bite force estimations in top predators. All these research topics will involve various techniques including dissections, histology, computer tomography, 3D printing as well as field work to obtain samples.

Dr. Scott Jones, Coastal Wetland Plant Ecology

Dr. Jones' research explores coastal wetland responses to global change and how plants influence ecosystem function. REU students working with Dr. Jones will conduct projects focused on plant-mediated carbon cycling in salt marshes and mangroves; freshwater wetland responses to salinity intrusion; or the role of landscape gradients on coastal wetland resilience to sea-level rise.

Dr. Adam Rosenblatt, Climate Change Ecology

Dr. Rosenblatt’s research program focuses on understanding the effects of climate change and urbanization on predators, food webs, and community stability. REU students in the Rosenblatt lab will conduct research as part of projects that may include 1) How the alligator population is distributed across Jacksonville and 2) How spider and insect communities are responding to extreme heat within cities. 

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to over 2000 animals and the Animal Wellness and Research team which conducts welfare and wellbeing related research to ensure that animals residing at the zoo are given opportunities to thrive. REU student projects will focus on the behavior and wellbeing of one or more coastal species, in which they will have the opportunity to learn a number of skills including the use of behavioral (e.g. ZooMonitor) and statistical (e.g. R Studio) software. Students will also have the opportunity to contribute to other research projects focused on a diverse number of species ranging from apes and rhinos to snakes and stingrays.

SEZARC

The South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation is dedicated to increasing populations of rare and endangered species through reproductive science. SEZARC scientists perform reproductive health assessments, develop breeding plans, and conduct investigative research for zoo and aquarium species throughout the United States. Projects for this program will focus on enzyme immunoassay of biological samples from nurse sharks, zebra sharks, sand tiger sharks, manta rays or other elasmobranch species to better understand their reproductive biology and to support natural and assisted reproduction programs. We plan to include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the validation process for those assays. The student will be based at our laboratory in the Biology building at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023.