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Waterfront Area: SURF Program Encourages Academic Community for Students to Advance to Post-Graduate Studies

Each summer for ten weeks, we embrace a multicultural cohort of around twenty undergraduate students from various American universities, who engage in research projects and establish connections with peers and mentors at UC San Diego.

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Along the Dock: SURF Program Builds a Network of Encouragement for Students Pursuing Advanced...
Along the Dock: SURF Program Builds a Network of Encouragement for Students Pursuing Advanced Education in Graduate Schools

Waterfront Area: SURF Program Encourages Academic Community for Students to Advance to Post-Graduate Studies

The Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a competitive programme that offers undergraduate students the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge marine and earth science research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).

The SURF programme, funded by the National Science Foundation's Ocean Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site grant, aims to provide undergraduates with hands-on research experience in oceanography and related earth sciences, while fostering professional development and mentorship under Scripps researchers.

Recent participants in the SURF programme have undertaken a variety of research projects. Ivan Moreno, a second-year student in the marine biology PhD programme at Scripps, spent his time during the SURF programme in 2017 identifying microbes isolated from hot springs and conducting competition experiments on agar plates between diatoms and cyanobacteria. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Meza, a senior at the University of California Berkeley, majoring in genetic and plant biology, researched the spatial and temporal abundance of Synechococcus (a cyanobacteria) in San Diego Bay under the mentorship of Scripps Professor Brian Palenik.

The benefits of the SURF programme extend beyond the research itself. Participants receive a $6,000 stipend, on-campus housing, and compensated travel fees to and from San Diego. Moreover, the programme provides access to world-class research facilities and mentorship from leading scientists at Scripps. Participants also have the opportunity to network with researchers, peers, and professionals within the UCSD and broader oceanographic community.

The SURF programme has been instrumental in the careers of many alumni who have gone on to earn their PhDs and make progress in the earth and marine sciences. For instance, Jeramy Dedrick, a Scripps PhD student and SURF mentor and alumnus, conducted research on aerosol particles and their ability to act as seeds for cloud formation in the western Antarctic as a SURF fellow.

In addition to its focus on research, the SURF programme also seeks to increase diversity within the STEM fields by encouraging applications from underrepresented groups and universities with limited research opportunities.

The SURF programme culminates in a research symposium in late August that showcases participants' scientific findings. Many SURF alumni, like Nicole Posadas, a SURF Fellow in 2019, have used the programme as a stepping stone to further their academic and research careers. Posadas conducted research on quantifying organic functional group composition at Pismo Beach under the guidance of Scripps Professor Lynn Russell.

Gabrielle Meza, who researched the abundance of Synechococcus in San Diego Bay, is planning to apply to graduate school this upcoming year with the goal of pursuing a PhD in marine microbiology. Similarly, Ivan Moreno plans to continue pursuing research questions about thermophilic microbial mats and other extremophiles in the future, with a long-term goal of having his own lab and providing an environment for students from untraditional backgrounds.

For those interested in applying for the SURF programme, more detailed information about the programme, including funding amounts, application criteria, and benefits, can be found on the official Scripps Institution of Oceanography or UC San Diego undergraduate research websites or by contacting the Scripps academic advising office. The SURF programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in research aimed at understanding and protecting the planet, as well as opportunities for networking and mentorship.

  1. The SURF programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to delve into marine and earth science research.
  2. This programme is funded by the National Science Foundation's Ocean Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site grant.
  3. The aim of the SURF programme is to provide hands-on research experience in oceanography and related earth sciences.
  4. The SURF programme fosters professional development and mentorship under Scripps researchers.
  5. Participants in the SURF programme receive a $6,000 stipend, on-campus housing, and compensated travel fees.
  6. The programme provides access to world-class research facilities and mentorship from leading scientists at Scripps.
  7. Participants in the SURF programme have the opportunity to network with researchers, peers, and professionals within the UCSD and broader oceanographic community.
  8. The benefits of the SURF programme extend beyond the research itself.
  9. Many alumni who have gone through the SURF programme have gone on to earn their PhDs and make progress in the earth and marine sciences.
  10. The SURF programme seeks to increase diversity within the STEM fields by encouraging applications from underrepresented groups and universities with limited research opportunities.
  11. The SURF programme culminates in a research symposium in late August that showcases participants' scientific findings.
  12. Nicole Posadas, a SURF Fellow, used the programme as a stepping stone to further her academic and research careers.
  13. Gabrielle Meza, a SURF participant, plans to apply to graduate school with the goal of pursuing a PhD in marine microbiology.
  14. For those interested in applying for the SURF programme, more detailed information can be found on the official Scripps Institution of Oceanography or UC San Diego undergraduate research websites.
  15. The SURF programme offers undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in research aimed at understanding and protecting the planet.
  16. Science encompasses various fields such as marine biology, climate science, and environmental science.
  17. In addition to marine research, the programme also addresses other health-related concerns like chronic diseases, medical conditions, and mental health.
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  19. Skin care, eye health, hearing, and sexual health also form a crucial part of the health and wellness spectrum.
  20. Climate change has severe implications for cardiovascular health, respiratory conditions, and digestive health.
  21. The manufacturing industry has significant potential for reducing its carbon footprint in mitigating climate change.
  22. Therapies and treatments for neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases are continually evolving, with CBD being an emerging area of interest.
  23. Entrepreneurship, finance, energy, retail, and transportation are interconnected domains that affect the health of the economy and the environment alike.

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