Blandy Experimental Farm Undergraduate Research Education Program
Blandy Experimental Farm, a University of Virginia ecology field station, is located in Virginia’s beautiful Northern Shenandoah Valley. Three research faculty from the Department of Environmental Sciences, visiting scientists and graduate students conduct research on habitat and community biodiversity, reproductive ecology and plant/insect relationships. The 175-acre State Arboretum of Virginia occupies the center of Blandy, and delights visitors with its 8,000 native and exotic species specimens representing over 60 plant families. The mission of Blandy Experimental Farm is to increase understanding of the natural environment through research and education.
REU or Research Experience for Undergraduates is an NSF funded program to provide mentored research experiences to qualified undergraduate students. Under the guidance of a faculty, postdoctoral associate or PhD candidate mentor, the student will select, design, and conduct a field-based ecology research project. Students are expected to develop a project proposal, collect their data, and present their findings in a final paper and in an oral presentation at the end of the summer. The program lasts just over 10 weeks, generally from early June until early August, depending on University schedules. The summer intern community includes 20-25 graduate and undergraduate ecology research students. The stipend for the 10-week internship is $4,808 and free housing is provided. Students reside in dormitory-style housing in the historic Quarters building; a full kitchen is available to prepare meals.
Internship qualifications include coursework in the sciences, especially biology, ecology and environmental science preferred, and an interest or career goal in scientific research. To be considered for the internship, students must complete an application package, which includes the application form, copy of current transcript, statement of career or academic goals as they relate to the internship and two letters of recommendation. Please visit the program's web page for further details.