Meet Jerry Goss and his research in the latest Scientist Selfie video from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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.
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.
The online application form for the 2021 BIOS REU Program is available here. The 2021 REU Program begins on August 30 and ends on November 19. Please note that, due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, only fully immunized students will be able to participate this year.
An REU internship at BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine, oceanographic and atmospheric sciences!
BIOS has National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support nine undergraduate student researchers at BIOS during the fall semester. Students will conduct individual research projects in a collaborative team environment under the expert mentorship of BIOS faculty and staff. This year's REU research projects will be based around the following broad research themes:
- Coral Reef Systems Ecology
- Plastics in the Marine Environment
- Biological Production and Exports: Assessing the Biological Carbon Pump in the Sargasso Sea
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, flora and fauna as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty.
Eligibility and Terms of Internship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. To be eligible, applicants must be over 18 years of age and enrolled in a program of undergraduate study immediately before and after the program dates. 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 U.S. 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.
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 REU research projects can be found here.
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 OCE-2050858. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.