USDA-ARS Summer Research Opportunity

Dates: TBA
Program in brief:

The Summer Internship Program gives U o A Native American college students the chance to work with scientists for eight weeks during the summer. This program is targeted at students who are pursuing agriculture-related majors. Students work with research scientists and other professionals in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the principal research agency in the United States Department of Agriculture.  The research locations vary depending on interests, but are primarily in North Dakota (one location is in South Dakota). This is not an on-campus program.

Benefits specific to this program: 

• Hands-on research experience in science
• June - August (8 weeks)
• Salary of $3,500
• Round-trip airfare
• Six units of upper division research credit
• Housing provided
• Experience as a federal employee

Please note: students in this program typically are paired with another student. Housing is provided. A support structure is in place, through the research center staff, to assure that students are connected to local resources (ex: shopping, medical facilities) and are able to identify social and cultural activities (concerts, fairs, outdoor activities, etc).

Context of the United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service:

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the primary research agency of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS has four national program areas:
1) nutrition, food safety and quality;
2) animal production and protection;
3) natural resources and sustainable agricultural systems; and
4)crop production and protection.

One of six major human nutrition research centers, the North Dakota center scientists that study the role of food and dietary components in human health thorughout the life span. If you are interested in any of the following areas, this program could be a great fit for you!

• Animal Management and Metabolism
• Human Obesity Prevention
• Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
• Chemical Applications in Agriculture and the Environment
• Insect Genetics and Biochemistry 
• Sustainable Agricultural Methods
• Cell Biology
• Plant Pest Management
• Soil and Water Management
• Cropping Systems

Eligibility

To qualify for this program students must:

• be currently enrolled at The University of Arizona
• identify as Native American
• be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• have sophomore or junior class standing
• be a major in Animal Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Nutritional Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, or Physiology

Students in the USDA-ARS research program engage in projects in North or South Dakota, not on the UA campus. Before you apply for admission to this program, click on the links below to the locations of interest to you, and explore research options at each location. You may provide 1-3 research interests and corresponding names of scientists on the application. If you have questions, contact Stephanie Adamson.

• The USDA/ARS Summer program participates in the UROC Common Application. The application deadline is February 1.
• A complete USDA-ARS application includes "unofficial" transcript(s) that include all prior coursework through fall 20110.  Email, fax (520-621-3590) or mail the document(s) to:

Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, Fargo, ND Located on the North Dakota State University campus, the Center's mission is to reduce negative impacts of foreign chemicals in foods; improve integrated pest management systems; study weed physiology, genetic and molecular biology; improve small grain quality and sugarbeet and potato profitability; and develop sunflower production technologies.

The Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, ND One of six such human nutrition research centers in the country, the mission is to conduct basic and applied research to enhance the capacity of the American food supply to support a healthy populace. The Center focuses on the health roles of nutrients and other bioactive factors in foods.

The Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan, ND Located near the Missouri River, the laboratory's mission is to develop environmentally sound agricultural practices and add value to agricultural systems in the Great Plains.

North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Brookings, SD Located on the South Dakota State University campus, the laboratory's mission is to develop, evaluate, and transfer sustainable production and bioprocessing systems that enhance environmental quality and provide profiability for agriculture with emphasis on integrated pest and crop management and agricultural product development.

Contact Information

Stephanie Adamson
Program Coordinator, Senior
Graduate College Diversity Programs
1031 N. Mountain Ave
Tucson, AZ 85721-0102
Phone: 520-626-0095
Fax: 520-626-3590
Email: adamsons@email.arizona.edu