Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program

Applications accepted November 1, 2023 – April 1, 2024

Undergraduates are invited to apply to conduct research with one of our 11 investigators at their home institutions for 10 weeks during the summer of 2024. Students will conduct independent research projects as a member of our interdisciplinary team, attend data analysis and R trainings, participate in journal club and professional development seminars, ethics training, and present their research findings at our summer symposium. This will be a distributed REU program-students will be based at their mentor’s institution, but the entire cohort will meet virtually every week. Mid-summer, all participants will meet-up in Albuquerque for a data jamboree and to meet REU students from other LTER programs.

The program’s goals are to (1) provide students with an independent research experience, (2) build computational and analytical skills, (3) expose students to a large, (4) multidisciplinary research program, (5) inspire students to join the polar research community, and (6) prepare students for graduate school. Students will receive a stipend and travel funds.

Applications are accepted from students at any stage in their undergraduate degree, but they should not have completed their Bachelor’s degree before summer 2024. Students can be from any discipline; applicants should investigate our team’s research and indicate in their application with whom they would like to work. We especially welcome applications from students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Students must be U.S. Citizens.

A completed application will include:

  1. Current CV (must include full name, contact info, current school, and standing)
  2. Copy of your unofficial transcripts (if accepted, official copies will need to be sent)
  3. Personal statement describing your interest in polar research, any previous research experiences, and current and future career goals. Please describe with which of our team members you would like to work and why

The three items above should be emailed as one pdf to cvesbach@unm.edu and the email should include “MCM REU application YOURLASTNAME” in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email within three days that your application has been received.

In addition, two letters of recommendation from faculty at the student’s home institution, mentors, or previous employers that supports the student’s academic and research potential should be emailed by the referees to cvesbach@unm.edu with the subject line “MCM REU Recommendation YOURLASTNAME”.

For further information, contact cvesbach@unm.edu.