As part of the Danforth Center's commitment to developing next-generation scientists, the Center provides rigorous training for undergraduate students through the Research Experience for Undergraduates. This 11-week intensive summer program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) combines hands-on training and mentoring from top-tier scientists helping to create a pipeline of plant scientists prepared to address both current and future global challenges.
The goal is to give each student insight into the research environment, as well as to teach valuable skills. In addition to their research project, Center staff work to facilitate connections among interns and their scientific colleagues through discussion forums, presentations, workshops and social gatherings.
A recent survey showed 87% of former Danforth Center interns are working in a STEM career or pursuing an advanced degree in STEM, and some are employed at the Danforth Center.
REU Summer Interns
Tara Caso, Humboldt State University hosted in the Doug Allen laboratory2018
Shara Chopra, The Pennsylvania State University, hosted in the Meter Nusinow laboratory
Andreya Dupree, Alcorn State University, hosted in the Chris Topp laboratory
Emily Eul, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, hosted in the Andrea Eveland laboratory
Emily Hagerott, Knox College, hosted in the Sona Pandey laboratory
Samantha Myers, Washington University in St. Louis, hosted in the Becky Bart laboratory
Bram Osterhout, Washington University in St. Louis, hosted in the Dilip Shah laboratory
Andrew Paton, University of Arizona, hosted in the Ru Zhang laboratory
Alexandria Pokorny, Fontbonne University, hosted in the Todd Mockler laboratory
Nick Rosenthal, Vanderbilt University, hosted in the Brad Evans laboratory
Byron (Tyler) Rusnak, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, hosted in the Blake Meyers laboratory
Aimee Schulz, Iowa State University, hosted in the Chris Topp laboratory
Ellie (Helene) Tiley, Oberlin College, hosted in the Jim Carrington laboratory
Ryan Valdez, University of Arizona, hosted in the Jim Umen laboratory
Brandon Vestal, University of Missouri - Saint Louis, hosted in the Ivan Baxter laboratory
Seren Villwock, Lewis & Clark College, hosted in Malia Gehan laboratory
Jeffrey Yen, Cornell University, hosted in the Toby Kellogg laboratory
The 2017 REU Summer Internship Program is organized by Sona Pandey, Ph.D., REU co-director, associate member and principal investigator; Ru Zhang, Ph.D., REU co-director, assistant member and principal investigator, Cathy Kromer, grants manager and Shannon Rapp, administrative assistant.
THE PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.