Scripps Oceanography's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) persists amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
The Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, a 10-week paid summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at UC San Diego's Scripps Oceanography, is set to welcome 38 students this summer, including 19 in the new hybrid model.
Launched at Scripps Oceanography in 2011, the SURF program has engaged approximately 150 students in earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences research. This year, the program will continue its mission to increase student diversity in geosciences, prepare participants for career pathways, and recruit individuals from institutions with limited undergraduate research opportunities.
In the hybrid model, 19 students will participate in a blend of on-campus and remote research. A significant 73% of these students identify as underrepresented minorities, reflecting the program's commitment to inclusivity. Admitted students for SURF 2020 come mostly from Southern California to reduce the need for air travel, and they all have the option to live in on-campus housing.
To accommodate students who cannot attend in person, a new 'Student Loans' program has been created, allowing an additional 19 students to participate in a fully remote summer research experience.
The Scripps team worked to avoid cancelling the program since most students who participate are about to enter their senior year, meaning they would not be eligible next summer. The organizers are optimistic for the success of the remote program and will use distance to their advantage, with plans to have a wide range of guest speakers who will tune in remotely to enhance research seminars.
Marine ecologist Stuart Sandin, who is the director for the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, is taking a leading role in mentoring SURF fellows this year. Sandin's lab is in charge of the new 'Student Loans' program and leads the 100 Island Challenge, which collects imagery to capture the structure of coral reefs from across the world's tropics.
This year, SURF students will study what species live on the coral reef, where they live relative to one another, and how these communities change across the 1,000 sites where the 100 Island Challenge team has collected these images of reefs. Their research will contribute a significant amount of data analysis to help future scientists develop ways of effectively and efficiently pursuing research in the field.
The SURF program is primarily funded from a National Science Foundation REU site grant from the GEO-OCE program. The mentors from Scripps Oceanography responsible for the hybrid SURF 2020 program include several faculty and research staff members, including Sarah Aarons, Doug Bartlett, Simone Bauman-Pickering, Anela Choy, Sarah Gille, Vicki Grassian, Paul Jensen, Nicholas Lutsko, Deirdre Lyons, Mattias Morzfeld, Richard Norris, Sarah Purkey, Kate Ricke, Brice Semmens, Dave Stegman, and Lisa Tauxe.
Current Scripps PhD student Jeramy Dedrick, a former SURF fellow, stated that the program gave him the tools to become an efficient researcher and inquisitive student. About 75% of former SURF students have gone on to graduate school or careers in Earth and ocean sciences.
The SURF program offers participants a $6,000 stipend to support any financial challenges they may be facing. With its continued success and commitment to fostering the next generation of earth and ocean scientists, the SURF program at Scripps Oceanography remains a valuable opportunity for undergraduates.
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