We are accepting applications for summer 2025!
The Echinacea Project is looking for enthusiastic undergraduates for the 2025 summer field season. Our project investigates how small population size and reduced genetic diversity influence individual fitness, population demographics, plant-insect interactions and evolution in the purple coneflower, Echinacea angustifolia. We seek students with interests in plant population biology, evolution and quantitative genetics, pollination biology, plant-insect interactions, and conservation biology. This REU (research experience for undergraduates) is a great opportunity for aspiring ecologists, conservation biologists, and evolutionary biologists to gain field research experience. There are also opportunities for those with quantitative backgrounds (statistics, math, computer science) to gain experience managing data, programming, or modeling. All will learn about the ecology and evolution of plants in fragmented prairies! Read more general information about our field season.
Joey (REU 2022), Geena (field assistant), Sophia, Emma, and Johanna (REUs 2022) measure Echinacea plants in experimental plot p1
Program Details
The main field season runs June through September. The exact start and end dates are negotiable. There is a $640/week stipend and travel expenses to the research site are covered. We provide housing.
Independent project: You will develop an independent research project in consultation with the two principal investigators of the project, Dr. Stuart Wagenius and Dr. Ruth Shaw. You will also get an opportunity to practice informal and formal science communication with other members of the team. Projects explore questions about the ecology and evolutionary biology of Echinacea angustifolia, other prairie plant species, pollinators, and herbivores. All work occurs in the context of prairie remnants, which allows projects to be directly applicable to conservation challenges of habitat fragmentation. The REU projects we’re offering this year are listed below:
- Investigate the restoration ecology a challenging plant, such as hand pollination of the silver-leaf scurf pea (Pediomelum argophyllum), propagation of hemiparasitic plants (e.g. Pedicularis canadenis), or seed harvest of spring natives (e.g. Viola pedatifida).
- Monitor the persistence and reproduction of rare plant populations in prairie remnants using the Plants of Concern protocol and mobile app. Species include Cirsium hillii, Cypripedium candidum, and Astragalus adsurgens.
- Quantify the influence of recent fires on the environment and survival of juvenile Echinacea angustifolia plants.
- Estimate the population size of a common pollinator, the bee Agapostemon virescens, in prairie sites using mark-recapture techniques.
- Explore the distribution and abundance of species in the aster family (Asteraceae) in prairie remnants and restorations.
- Investigate the role of weeds in restorations, for example by assessing the impact of woody encroachment by sumac on Echinacea angustifolia or by testing the efficacy of management treatments on invasive hawkweed in an experimental restoration.
Qualifications: We are looking for undergraduate students who are willing to work outdoors in adverse conditions, exhibit patience, pay attention to detail, possess good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, work well independently and as part of a team, and have a strong interest in scientific research. During the summer, REU participants must be enrolled in an undergraduate institution and be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US or its possessions. Individuals from groups historically excluded from sciences and conservation are particularly encouraged to apply.
No experience is necessary, but you must be enthusiastic and hard-working.
Liam (REU 2023 & 2024) harvests an Echinacea head at a prairie remnant
How to apply
If you enjoy working outdoors and you are excited to learn about the ecology and evolution of plants in fragmented prairies, we invite you to apply for an REU with the Echinacea Project. To apply, please complete the following:
- Fill out our online application form
- Send us an email with:
- a cover letter, including the following:
- why you are interested in this REU
- what you hope to gain from the experience
- your future plans
- your top 3 REU project options (see above), ranked
- 2-3 sentences about why you’re interested in your #1 ranked project and what skills and experience you hope to gain
- a statement that you are eligible for the REU program
- your resume
- your transcript (unofficial OK)
- a cover letter, including the following:
- Ask a professor or employer to email us a letter of recommendation (do not send to us directly)
Send your application materials via email to echinaceaProject@gmail.com with the subject line “Summer REU intern application” by 18 February 2025 at 11:59 pm CST. Format your cover letter, resume, and transcript as pdf files. Begin each file name with your surname.
To ensure that your application is thoroughly considered, submit by the deadline, 18 February 2025 at 11:59 pm CST. However, we will review applications until positions are filled. Please include an email address and phone number where you can be reached during late February-early March.
More information
First, read about our field season! If you have any questions, contact a team member via e-mail. Read about our lab and field activities on the flog and more about the project’s background.
Britney (RET 2022), Emma, Joey, and Sophia (REUs 2022) map Echinacea plants and collect demographic data at a prairie remnant
