WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
US- KENYA INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS (IRES)
Summer Research Field Course
The deadline for submission of all materials is
SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 (for summer 2011)
and
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 (for summer 2012)
-->Download Application<--
Program description:
International Research Experience for Science Students provides summer
grants for students working with mentors on a science project in another country. The goal is to
give students a research experience in an international location. In this program, students will
investigate “Effects of habitat changes on distribution, abundance and resource exploitation by
globally-threatened and forest specialist birds in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya”. Arabuko
Sokoke National Park is the largest existing fragment of the tropical forests that covered much of
the East African coast and is an important habitat for endemic/endangered birds, insects and
mammal species, and rank second as the most important forest for bird conservation in mainland
Africa. This program will provide students the opportunity for self discovery through “hands-on”
field research experience in applied ecology and environmental science by investigating how
habitat alternations affect bird communities in a tropical forest. The participants will work and
study in close collaboration with two research mentors (Wright Biology Faculty and Kenyan
Wildlife expert) to sharpen scientific skills, develop collaborations with scientists abroad, and
experience the life and culture of a foreign country. Full board accommodation is available at
Mwamba Bird Observatory and Field Study Centre in Watamu town- located in a very beautiful
area, bordering Africa's oldest marine park - 80 m off the Indian Ocean white sandy beach and 3
miles from the study site.
Program Funding:
IRES is funded by National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of
International Science and Engineering (OISE). The program will support four full-time summer
research positions for 5 weeks between June and August July in 2010, 2011 and 2012(dates to be
determined each year). For each participant, the program will provide round-trip air-coach travel to
and from Nairobi, Kenya, visa entry fees, stipend of $17 /hour for maximum of 32hr/week, tuition
scholarship, accommodation, miscellaneous travel (wildlife tours) and medical insurance.
Program Objectives:
Upon completion of the field course, students will be able to:
- Develop critical thinking, communication, and scientific research skills, as well as experience
first-hand biodiversity research with animals and conservation in a tropical forest. Gain experience
writing technical scientific reports, peer reviewed publications and making formal presentations.
- Experience different cultures and learn how to incorporate local and traditional knowledge with
ecological research and develop ways to interact with communities in order to do research in a
respectful way.
- Recognize and appreciate how changing environmental conditions may impact organisms and
their ecosystems as well as biodiversity.
- Identify factors and processes that threaten biological/ecological integrity and estimate potential
impacts on the environment and the role that field biology might play in changing these impacts.
- Recognize the overall importance of both basic (biological/ecological sciences) and applied
(conservation biology, wildlife management, restoration, etc.) aspects of field biology.
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Be an undergraduate without a bachelor’s degree in any subject.
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a 3.0 GPA.
-
Completion of one college level science course with grade B and above.
- Be enrolled for 10-15 credit hours at Wilbur Wright College at the time of application (fall) and subsequent semester (spring).
-
Must be of good health (Physician’s Medical Certification will be requested if selected).
-
If the selected participant is under eighteen (18) years of age, a parent of legal guardian through signature must accept the condition of participation. Discuss before submitting application.
- Willingness to register for Bio 299 (Independent Research- 2 credit hrs) in both fall and spring semesters if selected. This course is mandatory for pre-departure training. Dr. Oyugi will automatically register selected students for this course. Wright College tuition scholarship is provided.
- Willingness to join (STEM ENGINES-URC) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics – Engaging the Next Generations IN Exploring Science- an Undergraduate Research Collaborative (www.stemengines.com).
A complete application includes:
- Two letters of recommendation- One from a Science Faculty and One from a Non-Science
Faculty.
- OFFICIAL transcripts (Unofficial transcripts ARE NOT acceptable).
- Copy of your resume
- A PERSONAL STATEMENT: Given that there are limited numbers of students that can be
accepted tell us why you should be chosen. Provide a concise description of your knowledge and
interest in working with rare birds species in a tropical forest. State how participation in this US-
Kenya IRES program will benefit your academic training and how it will further your intended
professional career. (Limit your narrative answer to one page).
- RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: Describe your previous research work (IF ANY). State explicitly
whether the work you describe was part of an undergraduate independent study or honors project or
a research experience acquired through employment/volunteer work. Do not list organized
laboratory coursework at your university or college (Limit your narrative answer to one page).
-->Download Application<--
Send materials to:
Joseph Oyugi PhD
Assistant Professor
Biology Department
Wright College
4300 N. Narragansett avenue
Chicago, IL 60634
joyugi@ccc.edu
tel 773-481-8478 fax 773-481-8616
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