Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
Friday Harbor Labs (Ocean and Fishery Sciences, Zoology)
The University has assigned a high priority to increase opportunities for undergraduates to be involved in experiential learning, i.e. direct involvement in research with faculty. Although many departments and faculty are in principle enthusiastic to involve more undergraduates in research, faculty cannot generally be released by their departments from teaching and other commitments, and departments rarely have enough research space/facilities (particularly not high-quality ones with modern research and other resources) to assign for undergraduate research training. In simplest form, this idea assigns Tools for Transformation and Friday Harbor Laboratories funding, to support four faculty-led research groups (total 25-30 undergraduates) annually for research apprenticeship experiences using the marine biological facilities of the FHL during the Autumn and Spring Quarters.
| Contact: |
Dennis Willows Director, Friday Harbor Labs Professor, Zoology willows@fhl.washington.edu |
| Allocation: | $511,704 |
| Date Funded: | September 1998 |
PROGRESS REPORT
Research Apprenticeships in Marine Sciences for Undergraduates
In 1999, Friday Harbor Labs organized four teams of undergraduate
research apprentices supported by TfT funding. These intensive,
full-time research training experiences are offered to qualified
undergraduates in Spring and Autumn Quarters. Teams (5-8 students,
plus faculty mentors and graduate teaching assistants, and other
technical support) work on focused research problems in larval
biology, marine invertebrate animal diversity, fish management,
and molecular evolution of the immune system. Students selected
for participation each receive stipend support ($1,500).
Spring Research Apprenticeships
Zoology 498C and 498D (5 credits each):
Benthic Development and Survival
March 29 - June 5, Dr. Richard R. Strathmann
Selection of sites for egg deposition by marine snails and the
consequences for rates of mortality and development. Field and
lab studies will focus on marine snails in the genus Lacuna because
of preliminary observations on interspecific differences in deposition
sites. Reading, discussion, and a few lectures will place this research
in the context of current hypotheses on the evolution of complex life
histories of marine animals.
Zoology 498 E & F (5 credits each):
Marine Invertebrate Biodiversity
March 29 - June 5, Drs. Alan Kohn and Bruno Pernet
This undergraduate research course will link study of diversity of
marine animals in the vicinity of Friday Harbor with development of the
FHL invertebrate reference collection. Participants will study the
characteristics of the major invertebrate groups and the principles
and practices of systematic biology. All students will learn techniques
of collection and preservation of specimens, as well as observational
methods such as light and scanning electron microscopy, and all will
participate in discussions of current literature on ecological,
evolutionary and applied issues in marine biodiversity. For the
research project, each student will specialize on a particular
invertebrate group, taking responsibility for study of its
structural characteristics and biology, and for improving its
representation in the collection.
Autumn Research Apprenticeships
Zoology 498 C & D (5 credits each):
Molecular Evolution of Multigene Families in Marine Invertebrates
September 27 to December 4, Dr. Scott Edwards
The research will consist of state-of-the-art cloning and sequencing
methods with a focus on ways to study non-model species, and it will
be supplemented by lectures/discussions on the diversity of multigene
families and genetics systems in vertebrates and invertebrates. The
team will clone and characterize a gene or genes involved in the
immune response and/or development in invertebrates. The sequences
identified will be aligned with previously discovered sequences from
vertebrates and insects, to develop reasonable phylogenies.
Fish 498 (9-12 credits):
Undergraduate Research in Marine Fish Ecology
September 27 to December 4, Dr. Bruce Miller
Studies in the Marine Protected Areas of San Juan County on the biology
of rocky near-shore fish species. Work will train students in the life
histories, ecology, and fishery management practices underlying changes
in near-shore fish populations. Experiments in the field, laboratory,
examination of historical management practices, and observations of
local and state government programs will be used to evaluate hypotheses
about population changes.
Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
