Opportunities

Posted 2/11: Water Desalination Conference on 2/21 (9-1pm)

Can't make the needed number of field trips? Here is a 'make-up' opportunity.

This public forum will air the promises, perils, and controversy regarding the desalination of deep saline or brackish water for supplying our drinking water.

• Business Viewpoints

• Economic Considerations

• Regulatory & Legal Issues

• Environmental Impacts

• Ethical Issues to be Considered

Here is more information on the event

Posted 2/11: Interested in water issues and getting a PhD?

UMBC has an NSF-sponsored multidisciplinary Ph.D. program in "Water in the Urban Environment."  This is one of NSF's prestigious Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) programs that is designed to support the establishment of innovative approaches to graduate education. Solutions to complex problems associated with the effect of urbanization on the water cycle require integrated ecological, economic and engineering approaches, as well as innovations in policy-making. This program will train a generation of PhD students who understand these linkages and are prepared to work in multidisciplinary teams to improve understanding and management of urban environmental systems. The program is centered on three interwoven themes: (1) urban hydrology and contaminant transport; (2) urban biogeochemical cycles, aquatic ecosystems, and human health; and (3) urban water policy, management, and institutions.

Trainees earn PhD in one of nine participating departments or programs: (1) Biological Science; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry; (3) Civil and Environmental Engineering; (4) Geography and Environmental Systems; (5) Information Systems; (6) Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Science (MEES); (7) Mathematics and Statistics; (8) Public Policy (including Economic Policy); and (9) Physics. The IGERT Traineeship provides a $30,000 stipend per year plus $10,500 toward cost of education tuition, fees, health insurance and other benefits). Assuming satisfactory progress, IGERT Trainees are funded for two years; teaching and research assistantships provide additional years of support, at departmental funding levels.

Posted 12/2: If considering a PhD

I am writing to share with you a wonderful summer research opportunity at the University of Maryland, College Park intended for undergraduate students (see attached announcement). This program is geared at rising juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in the social, behavioral and economic sciences immediately following the completion of the Bachelors degree. All students are eligible; however, we highly encourage those from under-represented populations to apply (i.e. African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or other Pacific Islanders).

We expect 10-12 scholars to participate in the upcoming eight-week experience (from June 1- July 24, 2009). Events and activities will include lab and research experiences, didactic science lectures, and opportunities for professional development, mentoring, and networking. Accepted students will be provided round-trip airfare, meals, room and board and a $2,700 stipend. The application deadline is February 13, 2009.

We would greatly appreciate your help in disseminating this announcement to your students and colleagues. Please refer them to our program website http://www.bsos.umd.edu/diversity/summer-research-initiative.aspx 

or email us at sri@bsos.umd.edu