2022 NSF-IRES: Pollinators in Changing Climates Colombia

The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions

This International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program will provide undergraduate students with an eight-week international research experience working with mentors from Penn State and Universidad Militar Nueva Granada in Colombia. Projects will focus on studying how environmental factors impact plant-pollinator interactions in mountain ecosystems. Students will participate in interdisciplinary research guided by mentors representing entomology, ecology, engineering, and climate science. Students will receive $4,000 for their participation in the program from June 6th to August 5th 2022.

Mentors participating in this program include faculty from Penn State University (USA) and Universidad Militar Nueva Granada (Colombia):

• • Margarita López-Uribe (PSU – Molecular Ecology and Pollinator Biology)
  • José D. Fuentes (PSU – Atmospheric Sciences)
  • Julio Urbina (PSU – Remote Sensing)
  • Luis Duque (PSU – Crop Physiology)
  • José R. Cure (UMNG – Population Ecology, Insect Diversity)
  • Marlene Lucía Aguilar (UMNG – Pollination Biology)
  • María Mercedes Perez Trujillo (UMNG – Horticulture)

Research topics include:

• Assessing the role of phylogenetic history in variation in thermal breadth across pollinating insects
• Understand mechanistic effects of abiotic stressors on crop-pollinator interactions
• Variation of pollinator thermal tolerance in tropical ecosystems
• Region climate downscaling to relevant microclimatic scales

Projects suitable for students majoring in:

• Biology or Ecology
• Entomology
• Engineering
• Climate science

Requirements:

• Enrollment in an undergraduate program (preference to juniors and seniors) in the United States.
• Courses in biology and calculus. Knowledge of computer programming is desirable but not necessary.
• Fluency in Spanish is not required.
• Applicants must be available to travel from June 6th to August 5th.
• Some projects will require fieldwork at remote sites with inherent hazards, can be
  physically challenging, and may require specialized equipment with risks.
• Safety concerns in the field may vary among individuals based on gender, age, fitness levels, and experience. Instructors guarantee an inclusive environment and safe environment.

Applications are due on March 1, 2022

Applicants must submit:

1. Resume or CV

2. A statement detailing relevant academic/professional experiences and interest in this program.

3. Official transcripts.

4. Names of 2 reference letter writers.

Please submit your application here.

Inquiries about the program or the application process can be submitted to Dr. Margarita M. López-Uribe (Email: mml64@psu.edu) and Stephania Sandoval Arango (Email: sfs5975@psu.edu) 

This NSF-funded IRES program (OISE-1952470) is administered by the Department of Entomology, Penn State University.

If you would like to learn more about the results of our virtual program in 2021, visit this website