Harvey Castillo a student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he studied wildlife biology. At BIOS, Castillo worked with biological oceanographer Amy Maas researching the physiological responses of microscopic zooplankton to changing ocean temperature.
REU interns return from a cruise on the research vessel Atlantic Explorer.
Shannon Lemieux is a student at Oregon State University majoring in fisheries and wildlife sciences with a minor in earth sciences. During her internship at BIOS, she worked with reef systems ecologist Eric Hochberg on a project studying the phenology, or yearly cycle of change, of coral pigment in Bermuda’s corals.
REU students had the opportunity to share their research progress and outcomes during a virtual poster session held in the new multimedia MAGIC room.
Jerry Goss a student at Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts, where he studies electrical and computer engineering. At BIOS, Goss worked with plankton ecologist Leocadio Blanco-Bercial using computer algorithms to speed up the identification of plankton species. This process, also called machine learning, saves researchers from having to manually classify each plankton species, which is particularly important in biologically diverse areas such as the Sargasso Sea.
Jacob Ancri a student at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he is majoring in biomedical engineering with a concentration in biomaterials. During his internship at BIOS, Ancri worked with environmental chemist Andrew Peters on a project to develop a method for analyzing the presence of microplastics in the atmosphere.
REUs look on as researchers deploy BIOS's newest glider 5 miles offshore.
BIOS is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to best protect its employees and visitors. Details on the measures taken to manage COVID-19 in Bermuda can be found here.
Subject to confirmation of NSF funding, the online application form for the 2021 BIOS REU Program will be available by the end of March. Please contact us to receive REU announcements.
An REU internship at BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine and atmospheric sciences!
BIOS has National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support 8 undergraduate student researchers at BIOS during the fall semester. Students will conduct independent projects under faculty and staff supervision within several research areas including:
- Biology, chemistry, and physics of the open ocean
- Biology, physiology, and biochemistry of reef building corals and reef ecosystems
- Molecular biology of marine organisms
- Environmental chemistry of Bermuda's atmosphere and inshore waters
- Effects and consequences of global environmental change
Throughout the semester, REU students will give presentations that outline their research topic, methods, and results, including a final presentation to BIOS faculty, staff, and visiting students. REU students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of field excursions to learn about Bermuda's natural history, as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty. In 2021, REU students will arrive at BIOS on August 29 and depart on November 20.
Eligibility and Terms of Internship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study and have not graduated at the time of the program are eligible. Underrepresented groups and students attending colleges or universities with limited STEM research opportunities are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants are ineligible if they have participated in a prior NSF-funded REU in Ocean Sciences. Successful candidates are advised to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions. Return airfare, campus accommodation, meals and a competitive stipend are covered by the BIOS REU program; medical/travel insurance is the responsibility of the student.
Application Procedure
Before you begin your application please review the instructions carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. The application deadline is May 31. Applications received after this date may be considered subject to availability.
Prior to submitting an application, prospective REUs are encouraged to contact BIOS mentors directly to discuss projects. This year, students will be working on individual projects within a collaborative group setting organized around three broad, overarching research themes. While applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred area of research, final decisions will be made by the selection committee. Details of the 2021 REU research themes will be available when online applications open.
Further Information
Since the inception of our REU program in 1991, BIOS has enabled over 170 students to undertake independent research projects in Bermuda. Of these, approximately 80 students have translated their efforts into peer-reviewed publications in prominent scientific journals and conference proceedings. BIOS’s REU program provides a springboard to future careers in ocean and atmospheric sciences and as a result, REU students have positive things to say about their experiences:
- “The NSF-REU program at BIOS is a great way for undergraduates to gain research experience. Doing an internship at BIOS not only allows you to gain experience in your scientific field, but you have the opportunity to learn a lot from amazing scientists from around the world, and create lifelong connections.” Gaile Greene, 2020
- “Through my internship I not only learned about science, but also about life paths, careers, and the history and culture of Bermuda, plus I gained skills that are transferrable to any job in any field.” Shannon Lemieux, 2020
- “Whether we were working together to troubleshoot a research problem, snorkeling by a pristine nature reserve, or celebrating holidays as a community, I am so grateful for the opportunity BIOS gave me to engage with marine biology in a hands-on way with such an incredible group of people!” Adam Shaham, 2020
Monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The health and well-being of everyone involved in BIOS’s educational programs is our top priority.
If you have questions that relate to the coronavirus disease as it concerns your plans for studying at BIOS, including application deadlines, the potential for cancellations, rescheduling, and refunding, please contact the Education Department.
When making travel plans, please review updated health advisories and guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of State, the Bermuda Government, and the World Health Organization.
Visit the BIOS Facebook page to learn more about REU alums and the science research going on at BIOS.
Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences located in Arlington, VA. Award number TBA. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.