Northeast Partnership for Atmospheric & Related Sciences (NEPARS) Summer 2021 Research Experiences of Undergraduates (REU)
June 7 – August 6, 2021
The Northeast Partnership for Atmospheric & Related Sciences (NEPARS) REU provides research opportunities for undergraduate students early in their education. The REU site brings together research mentors from two primarily undergraduate institutions with atmospheric and related science programs [Hobart & William Smith Colleges (HWS) and Plymouth State University (PSU)].
Each year 12 undergraduate students will be selected to conduct research on a variety of topics in atmospheric and related sciences. Six REU students with research mentors will work at each research location (HWS & PSU) during the 9-week summer program with several full-group gatherings planned. Students will receive a summer salary of $5,400 ($600 per week), housing (with kitchen facilities, full utilities, and internet) will be provided at no cost to participants, and travel costs to and from the REU will be reimbursed.
REU students will help develop new research projects related to mentor expertise. Projects seek to understand an array of atmospheric and physical processes, their predictability, as well as interactions across temporal and spatial scales. Research are typically within the areas of mesoscale and synoptic meteorology, modern climate, paleoclimate, hydrometeorology, mountain meteorology, tropical meteorology, microclimates, and biometeorology. Student researchers will work in small research groups and independently during the summer research program, as well as have opportunities to collect field data on Seneca Lake, NY using the HWS research vessel and on Mt. Washington, NH in partnership with the Mt. Washington Observatory. Students will develop or enhance skills related to working with analytical software and large databases, statistical analysis techniques, and scientific writing and presentation. In most cases, students will have opportunities for funded travel to present their research at regional or national scientific meetings, such as the AMS Annual Student Conference.
The REU is partnering with the Mt. Washington Observatory and the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at SUNY Albany to offer interactions beneficial to student professional development. Additionally, REU student researchers will complete a series of leadership workshops led by the HWS Centennial Center and REU research mentors.
The NEPARS REU intends to offer an in-person research experience for the 2021 summer program. We continue to monitor the developing situation surrounding COVID-19 both locally and nationally. If circumstances warrant, the 2021 NEPARS REU program may be provided in a remote or hybrid format.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students (First-year, Sophomore, and Junior) enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college / university working toward a degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, geoscience, environmental science, geography, computer science, mathematics, physics or other related degree program are encouraged to apply. Prior research experience is not required.
Application Procedure
All student applicants are required to complete an on-line application form. Access to the 2021 on-line application form can be found at http://www.hws.edu/NEPARS-REU along with information about the NEPARS REU. If additional questions arise, please contact Dr. Neil Laird (laird@hws.edu) or Dr. Jason Cordeira (j_codeira@plymouth.edu).
Deadline
The on-line application must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST on Monday, February 15, 2021. Applicants will be notified of decisions by March 15, 2021.