ASU Biocollections Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholars Program
A unique, funded, and hands-on opportunity for students underrepresented in biodiversity science to participate in natural history collections research
The Biocollections Scholars Program will help you:
Take the next step in building connections to nature
Interact with diverse scientists that research the Earth’s biodiversity
Gain technical skills needed for careers that use biodiversity science
Work with a team to create a research product that will benefit future scientific research
Scholars program:
Participants will earn a stipend of $2,000 over six weeks to work with mentors and peers on a collaborative biodiversity research project using the start-to-finish approach routinely taken by natural history collections scientists. This process will entail:
Conducting field surveys of local plants, insects, and vertebrates
Preparing and preserving their own specimens in the ASU Natural History Collections
Publishing their specimen and observation data online, including images
Creating and linking their own scientific profiles to their published data
Learning and using basic programming and data management skills
Producing a collaborative report on the flora and fauna of local natural area
Students will contribute to open biodiversity science, providing a valuable resource for future scientists and learn how to formulate specimen-driven research questions. In addition, scholars will explore potential career paths involving botany, entomology, zoology, and biodiversity informatics and network with scientists of diverse backgrounds.
Requirements:
This program is limited to scholars who identify as underrepresented in the biodiversity sciences. Additionally, scholars must be able to commit to attending all program activities, which at minimum includes 20 hours/ week (total of 120 hours) of scheduled work in the ASU Natural History Collections facility and 2 scheduled overnight field trips.
Email kmyule@asu.edu if you have any questions.
Timeline:
Applications are due March 1, 2021. Top applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter regarding an interview, and accepted applicants will be notified in mid-March. The fellowship program will run from May 24, 2021 to July 1, 2021.