- No experience or specific prerequisites required, underclassmen welcome!
- Must be 18 years old and have transportation to our campus at 123 Huntington St., New Haven.
- To apply, e-mail the project leader. Briefly describe your interests and potential schedule needs.
- Research hours can only be completed between 8:30 am-4:30 PM M-F.
Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology
“Plant Vaccines” with Dr. Quan Zeng (quan.zeng@ct.gov). This project will investigate how some minor pathogens can induce immunity to suppress infection of a more serious pathogen of apple trees.
“Beech Leaf Disease” with Dr. Robert Marra (robert.marra@ct.gov). Learn how to DNA fingerprint these microscopic worm-like pathogens that are wreaking havoc on our native American beech trees!
“Virus Control” with Dr. Washington da Silva (washington.dasilva@ct.gov). Learn to use RNA interference (RNAi) and nanotechnology to manage viral diseases of plants.
“Evading enemies to help plants” with Dr. Lindsay Triplett (lindsay.triplett@ct.gov). Sequence genomes and take microscopic images of beneficial bacteria to determine how they defend against protists and colonize plants. In another project, determine how protists trigger drought-protecting behavior in the bacteria that live on plants.
“Identifying biocontrol bacteria” with Dr. M. Amine Hassani (mohamed-amine.hassani@ct.gov). Isolate and screen bacteria for antifungal and disease-fighting properties that can be used in sustainable agriculture.
Department of Entomology
“Mosquito population genetics” with Dr. Andrea Gloria-Soria (andrea.gloria-soria@ct.gov). Learn to extract DNA and genotype mosquitos to investigate the connectivity of local populations and how it may influence human disease transmission.
“Examining barriers to virus infection of mosquito ovaries” with Dr. Doug Brackney (douglas.brackney@ct.gov). Female mosquitoes are well known for their ability to transmit viruses to humans through their bite; however, much less is known about their ability to transmit viruses to their offspring. We will be examining the conditions mediating virus infection of ovaries.
“Southern Pine Beetle moves North” with Dr. Claire Rutledge (claire.rutledge@ct.gov). Climate change is allowing insects to expand their range northward. Learn about invasive species and their impact on local ecosystems. Expect to sort trap samples, learn tree species, perform tree surveys and dissect logs to identify overwintering stages of the beetles.
Department of Analytical Chemistry
“Nutrient quality control of crop plants” with Dr. Yi Wang (Yi.Wang@ct.gov). Learn to evaluate nutrient quality in agricultural plants and examine the potential presence of mycotoxins.
“Emerging contaminants and plants” with Drs. Nubia Zuverza-Mena (nubia.zuverza@ct.gov) and Sara Nason (sara.nason@ct.gov). Our projects explore how plants take up contaminants such as PFAS and pharmaceuticals and we work on methods for detecting contaminants in plants, soil, and water.
“PFAS remediation in soils using biochar” with Drs. Nubia Zuverza-Mena and Trung Bui (Trung.Bui@ct.gov). Students may join us doing leaching test of PFAS from soil amendments at different time points (Spring), and performing PFAS bioavailability assays in plants (Summer).
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science
“How do plants activate soil microbes?” with Dr. Itamar Shabtai (itamar.shabtai@ct.gov). This project will study how plant root exudates influence microbial cycling of soil carbon and nutrients.
“Environmental microbiomes” with Dr. Blaire Steven (blaire.steven@ct.gov). Use genomics and microbiology to understand the contribution of microorganisms to organism and environmental health.
“Urban agriculture” with Dr. Leigh Whittinghill (leigh.whittinghill@ct.gov). This research program looks at maximizing production capacity in urban agriculture using container production systems and repeat harvesting techniques. Learn about greens and cucumber production and laboratory analysis techniques for determining the nutrient content in runoff water and plant tissues.
“Stress indicators for urban maples” with Dr. Susanna Keriö (susanna.kerio@ct.gov). The project studies the application of non-structural carbohydrates as a stress indicator for urban maples. The student would learn tree phenotyping methods through field work, tree physiological measurements, and analysis of carbohydrate samples using spectroscopic methods.
“Urban trees and mycorrhizae” with Dr. Susanna Keriö. The project studies the impact of mycorrhizal inoculation on the health of newly planted urban trees. The student would learn tree phenotyping methods, inoculate trees with mycorrhizae, learn microscopy techniques, and nucleic acid extractions. Possibility to be hired as a research assistant.
“Bark assays to quantify resistance to chestnut blight” with Dr. Susanna Keriö. Study the inhibitory properties of chestnut bark extracts to a fungus causing chestnut blight. Learn tree phenotyping methods through field work, preparation of bark extracts, and conduct agar plate assays.
