Apply Now! Your Summer Science Adventure Awaits!

Okay, you saw our social media posts about the Summer Research Apprentice Program (a.k.a. SRAP) that Wyoming EPSCoR is hosting this summer, you read the blog post, and checked out our website.  Ultimately, you've decided that you want to be a part of this summer's program.  Woohoo!  Except...what's next?  How do you apply?  Are there supplemental forms?  When is the deadline?  How do you know if you've been accepted?

If these are the questions floating around in your head, this blog post is for you!  I am here to walk you through the application process and offer guidance on what to expect from this year's SRAP experience.  Let's get started!

Application Process

Step 1: Head to our website and scroll to the section titled 'Program Details'.

Step 2: Review the program's guidelines and requirements.  If you have any questions, please reach out to our SRAP Coordinator, Lisa Abeyta.

Step 3: Download and/or print the application checklist and use to complete each portion of the application.  

*Please note all application materials can be found in the 'Program Details' section of the SRAP website.

Step 4: Review each portion of the application to ensure full, correct completion of your application before final document submission.

Step 5: Submit completed online application and email supporting documents to Lisa Abeyta by March 31, 2021 at 5PM MST.

Once each of the applications have been reviewed, you should expect an email regarding your application status and next steps.

Please Note

To be eligible for SRAP, applicants must have completed their sophomore year in high school by the start of the summer program, and/or be a current junior or senior in high school at the time of application.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Priority will be given to Wyoming residents and students who self-identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Chicano(a)/Latino(a) or Mexican American, Native American, Alaska Native, and/or who are women and/or first generation college-bound students.

Participants must provide their own transportation for sample collection, and be able to complete the entire program from start to finish.

If you are still excited for this year's online SRAP Program, head over to our website to get started on the application process!  Remember, all application materials must be received by March 31, 2021 at 5PM MST (no exceptions) to be considered.

If you have any further questions regarding the 2021 SRAP Program, please don't hesitate to reach out to your SRAP Coordinator, Lisa Abeyta! 

SRAP...The Program You've All Been Waiting For

 "Don't be afraid to open up to new people.  It's very fun and adventurous and so worth it.  At first I didn't know how to approach a new group, but with constant reminders from the staff that it's a judgement free and comfortable community...I enjoyed this program so much.  So much that I would love to come back."

-WolfStar Duran 

The Summer Research Apprentice Program (SRAP) serves as an opportunity to further STEM involvement for high school students.  A large supporter of underrepresented and first generation college students, the program prides itself on offering hands-on experience for young researchers.  SRAP aims to engage youth in STEM-related activities while providing access to resources that ensure higher education success.  

Students who participate in the SRAP program will experience living and dining on the University of Wyoming campus, engage in fieldwork, lab experiments, and data analysis, complete an end-of-program research presentation, and take part in educational outings.  A typical day might include waking up in a residence hall on campus, getting around, and heading to Half Acre Gym for a quick workout before eating breakfast with your friends at Washakie Dining Center.  From there, you and your cohort head to the field or the lab to work with your mentor on a personal research project.  Maybe you finish early and get to explore UW's Native American Education Research and Cultural Center.  You wrap up the day with dinner at the dining hall and prep your bag for that weekend's adventure to Pike's Peak before heading to bed, snug in your dorm room.  

While SRAP does its best to offer this immersive experience each year, COVID-19 is changing the way our summer 2021 program looks.  Participants will be able to tackle unique research projects from the comfort of their own homes using personal soil science kits that will be shipped to their door at the beginning of the program.  In addition to having their own equipment, participants will meet weekly with their mentors, and other UW faculty, via Zoom.  Each student will still have the opportunity to present their research findings, and can earn up to $1,920 upon full completion of the program and equipment return.

This year's SRAP program may look a tad different, but upholds the promise of STEM immersion for young researchers.  Wyoming EPSCoR is thrilled to be creating a one-of-a-kind online STEM experience for our 2021 participants!  

If you, or someone you know, is interested in the program or has further questions, please don't hesitate to check out our website or reach out to our SRAP Coordinator, Lisa Abeyta.  Lisa can be reach via email at labeyta1@uwyo.edu, or by phone at (307)766-6059.

Data-Science Internship Program by WEST: Seeking the Next Generation of Interns

"Throughout my internship, I worked with several teams on different projects.  It was great in that it allowed me to develop experience relevant to my interests and gave me insight into working as a professional.  I am coming away with renewed motivation, and a stronger sense of direction, regarding where I want to go and what I want to do next." 

Reid Olson, 2020 Intern

Reid Olson, a non-traditional undergraduate student, had the opportunity to hold an internship with Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. (WEST) this past summer and fall.  Reid was able to work as an
intern while working to double major in Zoology and Computer Science with a minor in Statistics.  While he is not originally from Wyoming, Reid shared that he has "grown to appreciate its low population density and natural beauty".  These appreciations may have led to an interest in an internship with WEST.

WEST is an environmental and statistical consulting firm, based in Wyoming.  While Wyoming is home base, the company hosts offices in 10 states, and remote employees in 14.  Having such a diverse range of locations, the WEST Data Science Internship program is wide-reaching.  This has allowed the company to host 11 interns in the last two years, 4 of which were involved during the summer and fall of 2020.  Each intern has benefitted from WEST's goal to increase trainee competitiveness for computational and data-science careers in academic, government, and commercial settings.  This is seen in Reid's internship experience.  He shares:

"For my internship at WEST this summer and fall, I focused primarily on testing applications.  I developed unit tests for R packages and worked with their setup in multiple, continuous integration pipelines.  I did a lot of research into various tools and principles related to automated testing."

While this is just one testimony, Reid worked alongside three other interns (Elliot Hunt, Will McDonald, and Steven Lan) who seem to have shared similar, positive internship experiences.  Elliott pursued an interest in virtual reality applications and helped to build a program that detected wildlife in drone photographs using Machine Learning.  Steven had previous experience as an accounting intern and data analyst which he used to design unit tests and implement new enhanced features which aided in solving errors for WEST users.  Will holds an interest in learning analytical tools which can be applied to wildlife research.  He spent his time as a WEST intern collecting and analyzing data to describe white-tailed prairie dog distribution in western Wyoming.  

A huge part of the interns' success came from the mentors who guided them through the program.  This year's mentors included Trent McDonald, Jason Carlisle, Fawn Hornsby, Andrew Telander, Sara Decker, Zach Parsons, Matt Bair, and Joe Zientek.  These mentors aided in promoting successful ventures for this year's interns, and are an integral part of ensuring future interns have similar experiences.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming an intern for 2021, WEST is currently accepting applications to the Data-Science Internship Program.  The internships are paid positions, and are available to undergraduate and graduate students in Wyoming.  The program, funded in partnership with Wyoming EPSCoR, is suitable for both part-time and full-time schedules.  For interns hoping to begin in spring or summer of 2021, applications are due by December 27th.  

Potential applicants can find position details on WEST's website, and can contact Jason Carlisle with questions.  They can also seek further information, including a brief presentation by past interns, on WEST's Atlassian page or YouTube account.

Wyoming EPSCoR's Alex Buerkle to Head $6 Million Project

Wyoming EPSCoR's, Alex Buerkle, has been awarded a 4-year, $6 million NSF EPSCoR RII Track-2 grant.  The award comes in support of a proposal entitled Creating Explanatory, Process-Based Models to Harness the Data Revolution in the Life Sciences.  

The volume and availability of data have increased enormously over the last decade in life sciences.  Such expansion is occurring rapidly, changing the standard scale of analyses and is leveling and extending access to a broader population of both scientists and general audiences via open-access data.

With such rapid expansion in mind, this project aims to "establish a consortium that will fundamentally advance our capacity to analyze challenging, highly dimensional data in the life sciences".  Their plan to reach this goal falls within 3 primary objectives.  Each objective has been reviewed to ensure they are complementary to each other while remaining integrated into the specificity of the project.  Those objectives include:

1. Assessing, developing, and disseminating innovative and computational methods for predictive and explanatory models of high dimensional data.

2. Formalizing life science knowledge in models for three cross-scale domains.

3. Training and fostering the development of scientists for the workforce, through education and inclusion in data science.

To aid in completing these carefully established goals, the interdisciplinary data science team is looking to hire 12 postdoctoral researchers.  Incoming researchers will, ideally, span multiple research areas in ecology and evolutionary biology.  They will also span three universities, uniting the University of Wyoming, University of Nevada-Reno, and the University of Montana, Flathead Lake Bio Station.  

In the words of the interdisciplinary data science team,

"We initiated this consortium to address cross-cutting challenges in the analysis and representation of knowledge in the life sciences."

We look forward to providing updates on the project as research begins to unfold.  But, for now, we would like to congratulate Alex Buerkle, once again, on his 4-year, $6 million NSF EPSCoR RII Track-2 grant!

Science Loves Art Hosts Fermentation Festival

 "Learning about fermentation and the importance of the microbes on our gut health is [something] we are excited to share.  It is a culinary art..."

 

Rene Williams, owner of Science Loves Art is clearly passionate about the event she hosted a couple of weeks ago.  The Fermentation Festival serves as one of SLA's biggest fundraisers and, due to COVID-19, it was feared that the show would not go on.  However, with the help of SLA's Marketing Manager, Cullen, Rene and the team were able to modify the event to fully comply to COVID safe measures.  The team committed to closing off the street, limiting the number of guests, complying with social distancing, and requiring masks to be worn.  With all safety measures in place, the event opened its doors a couple of weeks ago.  

The event ran from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and hosted live music, tasty food, and locally brewed drinks.  The music was important for setting the mood and giving the event a final taste of summer.  Hunter Hicks, Cousin Flamingo, and Mantisgrove played the entire time, and paired well with the beautiful weather and sunset.  

The wafting of live music may have been a big part of drawing a crowd to the festival, but the fermented brews, donated by local brewers, got them in the door.  Beer tokens were sold for $2.50, and were used to purchase brews from SLA's microbe collaborator, Shannon Albeke, Bonds Brewery, Coal Creek Tap, and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery.  One of the most popular brews of the night came from Bonds Brewery as they supplied a special blend using fresh basil and strawberry rhubarb.  Yum! 

In addition to the breweries, local fermenter favorite, Mama Boos debuted some new fermented water, kefir drinks, and kefir grain kits alongside their traditional fermented favorites.  Keeping with the theme, Rene explored and created fermented salsa.  Alibi was able to provide sour dough starters and bread samples as well.  With great diversity in fermented products at this year's festival, it's no surprise that guests were able to learn about how microbes work to ferment.  In fact, they learned so much that there is rumor of starting an official fermentation club!

250 tickets were available for purchase on a donation basis, but sold out quickly due to the promise of good music and great food.  While there were a lot fewer guests than originally anticipated, there were no lines for food or drink, and there was plenty of space for relaxing.  Attendance may be limited in the future simply for the positive impact it had on the event.  Despite the lower attendance, Science Loves Art was able to pull together a great festival that raised enough money to fund art kits for nearly 1,000 kids this school year!

While Rene, and the entire SLA team, hope to host the event next year without masks, it was a very successful evening and all who were able to attend had a great time.  Local businesses were supported, and a great conversation about microbes and the fermentation was started.  Rene hopes to continue this conversation as her business grows and the planning for a 2021 Fermentation Festival begins.  In her own words, Rene concludes,

"The Fermentation Festival may have been a singular event, but is beginning to have an effect on our community and state."

Congratulations Lauren Shoemaker!

"To recognize an outstanding contribution to research by an early career researcher, we are delighted to announce the launch of the Ecology Letters Early Career Researcher Award."

In 2019, the Ecology Letters invited researchers ranging from Master's students to Postdoctoral researchers to self-nominate their submitted papers and be considered for an annual prize.  The winner was selected by the Senior Editors of Ecology Letters and was announced just a few weeks ago on July 3, 2020.  So, who won?

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Lauren Glenny Shoemaker was names the inaugural winner of the Early Career Researcher Award!

Lauren was chosen for the award after submitting her paper, Pathogens Manipulate the Preference of Vectors, Slowing Disease Spread in a Multi-Host System.  Upon receiving news of her selection, Lauren was scheduled for a webinar where she was able to present her work and officially receive the award.  She presented on July 7th in a virtual session alongside Tim Coulson, the Editor-in-Chief of Ecology Letters.  In addition to hosting a live audience, the presentation was posted to the Ecology Letters website and Twitter page.

In addition to hosting a webinar, Lauren's award included:

• $1,000 prize money
• Video Byte Service to present the impact of her paper which can be used to promote her work through social media, lab websites, and YouTube
• An invitation to join the Ecology Letters Associate Editor Board

Wyoming EPSCoR is beyond proud of Lauren for her hard work and dedication to her chosen STEM field.  She is a wonderful role model for upcoming female scientists and researchers who may also want to explore the world of pathogens.  This is surely just the first step in a broader impact.  We look forward to seeing how this award broadens Lauren's opportunities for future research!

Lauren Shoemaker paved the way for the Ecology Letters newest award.  If you, or someone you know, are interested in being the second winner of the Early Career Researcher Award, submit a nomination!  Ecology Letters are currently accepting paper submissions for their 2020 award.  For more details on how to submit, check out their website.

EPSCoR Summer Science Journalism Internship Expansion

In an effort to better support science journalism in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, the EPSCoR science journalism initiative was expanded to give more support to newspaper journalists and this year’s University of Wyoming summer science journalism interns.

EPSCoR stands for Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and is designed to fulfill the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide. Wyoming EPSCoR received a 5-year grant in 2017 from NSF, and a significant amount of the grant has been dedicated to science journalism initiatives intended to help the Wyoming journalism community through internships, awards for best science reporting, and workshops at the Wyoming Press Association (WPA) conventions.

The University of Wyoming COJO (communication and journalism department) Associate Professor Kristen Landreville, director of the summer science journalism internships along with Emily Stewart Verco, Education, Outreach and Diversity Coordinator reached out to the WPA in early April regarding ideas on how to expand the program and grant funding to support Wyoming journalists.  The main goal was to stay within the scope of the NSF grant to resource Wyoming newspaper journalists. This collaboration process resulted in the new mentorship program.

The WPA sought out partnerships with journalists to offer the science communication interns additional expertise and support during their summer placement at newspapers across the state. By making recourses available to any news outlet with science-minded reporters willing to mentor, the objective of expanding the student learning experience would combine with the goal of supporting Wyoming's journalists.  

The three Wyoming newspapers that have journalists participating in the EPSCoR mentorship program include The Sundance Times, The Sheridan Press and Casper Star-Tribune. The Sundance Times has been paired with the intern at the Jackson Hole News&Guide, Jillian Bissell. The Sheridan Press will be mentoring Logan Stefanich interning with the Laramie Boomerang, and journalists with the Casper Star-Tribune will mentor the Rock Springs Rocket-Miner intern Chase Galley. Mentors will work to improve the interns’ understanding of the profession and facilitate professional development in science journalism.

Sarah Pridgeon is a reporter at the Sundance Times and had this to say about her experience mentoring, “The program has been as much of a positive experience for me as I hope it has been for the student I am mentoring. Brainstorming is always a great way to expand one's horizons and helping her talk through ideas and work through potential sticking points has so far been both rewarding and a learning opportunity for both of us.”

Last year The Sheridan Press worked with an EPSCoR science journalist intern and the paper was extremely excited to be a part of the new mentorship program. Ashleigh Snoozy, managing editor of The Sheridan Press commented about their experience participating in both EPSCoR summer science journalism programs.

The Sheridan Press has found great success with the EPSCoR internship and mentorship programs for the past two years. In our first year, Sheridan native Kiley Carroll came back [after] the summer to work full time for us. To say the internship was a success is surely an understatement — we offered a job to Carroll following the internship because of her incredible work throughout the summer. She opted to finish her education, which we fully support.

In this year’s mentor program, our collective relationship with Logan as news staff has been mutually rewarding. As an editor, I’ve been able to coach Logan along with his internship, answering questions I know I couldn’t have had as much time to answer as an intern mentor last summer. Logan has been able to speak with our crime reporter and photojournalist so far, and we anticipate sharing our knowledge with the aspiring journalist throughout the rest of the summer. We all enjoy our interactions with Logan over Zoom. I personally find his approach to stories refreshing and appreciate being able to answer questions that many students don’t have the experience to ask without time in a real-world newsroom.

As Logan told me yesterday in our weekly meeting, he’s grateful to learn through his internship that he actually likes journalism and being a journalist. As an employer, it’s really nice to have a group of students coming from the University of Wyoming that can get a taste for the job on a daily basis, closing the gap between college newspaper experience and a daily newsroom.

Overall, The Sheridan Press staff has found great success in both programs and hopes to continue the positive partnership with the University of Wyoming.

 

At the Casper Star-Tribune health/education reporter Seth Klamann, energy and natural
resources reporter Caille Erickson, photojournalist Cayla Nimmo and Brandon Foster managing editor have been working remotely with EPSCoR mentee Chase Galley. Foster had this to say about working with Chase.

Each week, the four of us hold a Zoom call with Chase where we’ve discussed a variety of journalism-related topics — from writing techniques to tips on working from home.

While Chase obviously has his home paper at the Rocket Miner, we hope to provide any help and context we can from Casper. In between our weekly Zoom calls, we’ve rotated in taking the lead on communicating with Chase on subjects more specific to our individual roles at the Star-Tribune. For instance, last week Camille reviewed a story he wrote that touched on energy, which is her beat. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Chase over the course of the summer and are excited to see where his journalism career takes him.

What began as a collaboration to offer support to local Wyoming journalists has developed into a full-fledged mentorship program.  Both Wyoming EPSCoR and the WPA look forward to making this a more permanent program to continue supporting local journalists as well as the summer science journalism interns.  

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as we highlight the 2020 summer science journalism interns and the stories they are sharing with the guidance of their mentors.