2024 Branch Experiment Station Projects

Faculty Mentor: Lloyd Nackley

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024,Spring 2025

Project Description:

Join a dynamic research team this summer for hands-on experience in horticultural research. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with agricultural science professors and graduate students while gaining technical expertise in ag. technology research within a supportive lab environment. Located near Wilsonville, OR, at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, this internship will involve assisting with various experiments focused primarily on irrigation and nutrient efficiency. The BES student will play a crucial role in managing a sensor-controlled irrigation system used for high-throughput phenotyping, as well as measuring plant transpiration responses to irrigation treatments. Additionally, the student will contribute to the enhancement of our nursery run-off pad and experimental system designed to measure water quality. Explore the "Nackley Lab Blog Oregon State" and our Instagram page to learn more about our ongoing projects.

Student Responsibilities:

• Plant Research and Sensor-Controlled Irrigation Management: 60%. Assist in managing the sensor-controlled irrigation system used for high-throughput phenotyping. Conduct regular checks on irrigation emitters and assess plant health in response to irrigation treatments. Hand weed plots; mix potting media for containers; thin container plants; transplant and/or seed plots; help clean research workspace and storage areas. 
• Data Collection and Analysis: 20%. Collect and analyze data related to biomass sampling, seed harvest, and other aspects of nursery production trials according to study protocols. Measure plant transpiration responses to irrigation treatments and adjust irrigation schedules accordingly. Conduct assessments of water quality. Assist in downloading data from loggers and maintaining accurate records of experimental procedures and results. 
• Field Day(s) Prep: 10%. Help maintain buildings, grounds, fences, roads, and other research facilities. Manage land not currently involved in research projects, including mowing, string trimming, pruning, mulching, and hand weeding. Assist the Nursery program as needed in conducting tours, training sessions, and field days for the public.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

Program is open to all

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Hands-on Experience in Horticultural Research: Students will gain practical experience in conducting horticultural research, including plant care, irrigation management, data collection, and analysis. 
• Technical Skills Development: Through tasks such as managing the sensor-controlled irrigation system, downloading data from loggers, and assessing water quality, students will develop technical skills relevant to agricultural science and research. 
• Data Collection and Analysis Skills: Students will learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to biomass sampling, seed harvest, plant transpiration responses, and water quality assessments, enhancing their abilities in scientific data analysis. 
• Facility Management Skills: Students will acquire skills in managing research facilities, including maintaining infrastructure, monitoring environmental conditions, and ensuring a clean and organized workspace. 
• Collaboration and Communication: Working alongside research team members, students will develop collaboration and communication skills, learning how to effectively communicate findings and contribute to team efforts in a research environment.

Student Hourly Salary: $18/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 20 minimum and 30 max.  depending on experience.

Hourly Working Parameters: typically 10am - 4pm. Flexible start times.  With experience the student can begin earlier in the day.

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Juliana Ranches

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024

Project Description:

In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on cattle health and performance. We have created a mythology to mimic wildfire smoke. We will expose weaned calves to this created smoke in our metabolism barn to evaluate the effects of smoke exposure on animal health and performance. Cattle feeding and health scores are the daily activities of this study. The collection of body weight and blood samples for analysis of health markers happens once a week for one month. 

Student Responsibilities:

Students applying for this project will work with beef calves after weaning during the smoke exposure phase. With graduate students and PI assistance, students will learn how to handle and restrain cattle and collect blood samples. Students with graduate students will learn how to process blood samples in the animal physiology lab after collection. Additionally, students will be responsible for cattle feeding, health scoring, and data entry.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Experience with cattle handling and management. 
• Ability to frequently lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• Self-motivated.
• Experience living or working in rural/remote locations.
• General knowledge of computers and skills used in word processing and data entry.
• Ability to carry out tasks independently and part of a team.
• Ability to work irregular hours, early mornings under adverse field conditions (wind, rain, snow, mud - IF NEEDED).

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will learn best practices on cattle handling and management. Additionally, students will be allowed to learn how to collect and process blood samples for multiple assays. There is also an opportunity to assist with laboratory assays such as cortisol acute phase proteins and other health markers.  Students will learn about calls health and the impacts of smoke exposure on animal performance Finally, students will be able to participate in lab meetings, where we discuss the most up-to-date literature on our studies, allowing them to gain experience in discussing the literature.

Student Hourly Salary: $14.20/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 20 hr per week.

Hourly Working Parameters: Fieldwork usually begins at 8 am and should be finished before noon. From 1 pm to 5 pm, students often work with data entry and laboratory when needed.  Work on the weekends is sometimes required and will be arranged with graduate students and other interns.

Housing Benefit: The EOARC offers shared housing at no cost.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Juliana Ranches

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024

Project Description:

This project aims to evaluate the carbon fluxes of grazing rangelands. In this study, Eddy covariance flux towers and green feeders will be used to monitor the changes in carbon fluxes during the year's seasons. This study aims to create baseline data for future studies where we will then implement enteric methane mitigation strategies for cattle grazing rangelands.

Student Responsibilities:

In this study, students will be responsible for the daily monitoring of equipment and data entry.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Ability to frequently lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• Self-motivated.
• Experience living or working in rural/remote locations.
• General knowledge of computers and skills used in word processing and data entry.
• Ability to carry out tasks independently and part of a team.
• Ability to work irregular hours, early mornings under adverse field conditions (wind, rain, snow, mud - IF NEEDED).

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will learn about carbon fluxes, specifically in grazing rangelands., as well as how to monitor and work with the equipment. Additionally, students will be able to participate in lab meetings, where we discuss the most up-to-date literature on our studies, allowing them to gain experience in discussing the literature.

Student Hourly Salary: $14.20/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 20 hr per week.

Hourly Working Parameters: Fieldwork usually begins at 8 am and should be finished before noon. From 1 pm to 5 pm, students often work with data entry and laboratory when needed.  Work on the weekends is sometimes required and will be arranged with graduate students and other interns.

Housing Benefit: The EOARC offers shared housing at no cost.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Govinda Shrestha

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024

Project Description:

The industrial hemp is an emerging industry in Oregon and across the nation. The Southern Oregon climate is known for the production of high-quality flower and CBD hemp. One of the insect pests that is currently affecting indoor and outdoor hemp productions in Southern Oregon is cannabis aphids. The aphid species is invasive pest in North America and originated from South East Asia. Cannabis aphids feeding reduces hemp plant growth and flower yields.  Aphid parasitoids are important biological control of aphids and play an important role in aphid management.  In this internship, the student will have an opportunity to learn:

1. The rearing of cannabis aphids and aphid parasitoids in lab conditions.
2. Aphid parasitoid experiment methods.
3. Develop outreach skills by direct interaction with growers.

Student Responsibilities:

• Traveling in state vehicle for checking insect on hemp fields in Jackson and Josephine Counties
• Counting insects on a microscope
• Keeping legible field notes
• Comfortable working alone 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

The student should have a driver's license. No prior experience is required for this internship, though it will be a plus if the student has some experience working on insect ecology and biology. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

The project objectives are to provide an opportunity for a student to learn how to conduct aphid parasitoid experiments, and field extension network with growers. 

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 30-40 hours per week

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Alexander D. Levin

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

This project aims at evaluating drought tolerance of Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines grafted onto 10 rootstock cultivars using carbon isotope discrimination and other indicators. The vineyard was planted in 2019 at the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Central Point, Oregon. During the experiment, water stress will be imposed by minimally irrigating vines over the course of the growing season. Control vines will be kept well-watered. Rootstock drought tolerance will be evaluated based on various physiological and morphological measurements including phenology, vine water status, gas exchange, water use efficiency, berry ripening, vine yield, accumulation of stable carbon isotope in juice, uptake and translocation of labeled nitrogen (N15), and nutrient uptake status of the vines over three growing seasons (2023 – 2026). Results of this project will be a model for yield prediction and vine performance for evaluated rootstocks under drought conditions and recommendation of rootstocks suitable for growers when establishing a new vineyard.

Student Responsibilities:

• Assist with monitoring and field data collection
• Assist with treatment imposition and maintenance of the vineyard irrigation system
• Assist with sampling 
• Assist with sample processing and analysis
• Assist with data analysis and preparation of reports 
• Willing to work outside under hot, dry, and dusty weather conditions 
• Willing to learn and be open to suggestions/feedback. 
• Willing to work during occasional early-morning or late-afternoon sessions as demanded by the specifics of experimental protocols. 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Experience working in vineyards, orchards, or related woody perennial cropping systems
• Experience participating in field research as a member of a team
• Basic knowledge of horticulture, agronomy, and/or plant physiology
• Can work independently with basic supervision
• Can lift up to 50 lbs.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Basics of viticulture, vine physiology, instrument handling, field experimental designs, and data analysis.

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr.

Expected Hours/Week: 30-40 hrs/week.

Housing Benefit: None, student is responsible for own housing.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes.

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No.

Faculty Mentor: Carlos Bonilla

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024

Specific Duration of Project: June 2024 to September 2024

Project Description:

Soil aggregate abundance and stability are measurements of soil quality, as stable aggregates relate to a wide range of soil ecosystem services. This project involves sampling a series of soils and relating their aggregates to some fundamental soil properties and land use management affecting soil aggregation. The project consists of soil sampling at the Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center (HAREC) and some selected sites around Hermiston. In addition to fieldwork, it includes the sample analysis at the HAREC-Soil Hydrology and Irrigation Laboratory. All samples will be processed for soil physical properties, and aggregate stability will be measured with a wet sieving apparatus. 

Student Responsibilities:

The student will perform field soil sampling, building land-use management records for each site, and laboratory analysis for measuring some soil properties such as particle distribution, texture, aggregate abundance, and stability. All measurements will be archived on Excel spreadsheets, including GPS coordinates and documenting a photographic record.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Good communication, punctual, enthusiastic, dependable, and with a strong work ethic
• Experience: Although helpful, no previous experience in soil science is necessary.
• The intern must have a driver's license.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The student will learn the fundamentals of soil science related to soil aggregate stability and quality. The student will also learn scientific experimental design, soil sampling, and standard analytical techniques for soil physical analysis. The student will work under Dr. Bonilla's supervision.

Student Hourly Salary:  $16/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/week

Hourly Working Parameters: When doing fieldwork, the student may work more than 8 hours daily but not more than 40 hours per week, starting earlier than 8 AM or ending later than 5 PM. No work on weekends.

Housing Benefit: $150 per month in housing benefits will be provided.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Josephine Antwi

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Specific Duration of Project: June 3 - August 30

Project Description:

Many crops of economic importance are hosts to a wide range of insect pests that cause crop damage and yield loss. Frequent monitoring of these insects on field crops is important because it enhances early detection of pests and allows growers to take adequate action for pest management. Potatoes and hemp are some of the economically important crops in Oregon. Both crops are affected by a variety of insects. Lepidopteran pests for example, including corn earworms, are serious pests of hemp grown in outdoor production. The corn earworm larvae feeding impact flower and cannabinoid yield production. Potato psyllids, potato tuberworm, beet leafhoppers, and aphids are also serious potato pests that could threaten Oregon´s potato industry. In this internship, the student will have an opportunity to learn:

1. Insect monitoring and surveying in field crop systems.
2. Insect identification techniques.
3. Develop outreach skills by direct interaction with growers.

Project Objectives:

The project objectives are to provide an opportunity for a student to learn pest monitoring and insect pest identification techniques, and field extension network with growers.

Student Responsibilities:

• Traveling in state vehicle for checking insect traps/pheromone lures in hemp and potato fields in Eastern Oregon/Central Oregon. Field work may last hours
• Counting insects under a microscope
• Keeping legible field notes
• Entering data into Excel
• Comfortable working alone 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

The student should have a driver's license. No prior experience is required for this internship, though it will be a plus if the student has some experience working on insect ecology and biology. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

From this internship, the student will learn the monitoring and surveying techniques for insect pests on hemp and potatoes, know how to identify common insect pests on hemp and potatoes, and become familiar with hemp and potatoes cropping systems.

Student Hourly Salary: $18/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 30-40 hours per week

Hourly Working Parameters: Student is expected work from 8am-5pm. However, there might be some days where the student may be returning from field work after 5pm.

Housing Benefit: HAREC has on-site housing at a subsidized rate if student chooses to stay there. Faculty will provide ~$120 in housing benefits per month.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes.

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes.

Faculty Mentor: Sandy DeBano

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

Eastern Oregon is home to diverse grasslands, shrub-steppe, forests, and riparian areas. These systems provide key ecosystem services for humans, including wildlife habitat, hunting and recreational opportunities, and timber. These areas also provide critical habitat for pollinators, including native bees. Native bees are not only significant crop pollinators (estimated to pollinate over $3 billion of crops in the US annually), but they also pollinate plants that are culturally important to indigenous people. Increasing our understanding of insects that visit culturally significant plants and how management, including watershed restoration, may influence them is a high priority. This internship focuses on documenting insect visitors of plants that are considered to be “First Foods” by our tribal partners and investigating how watershed restoration influences native bees found in riparian areas and floodplains of eastern Oregon.  

The intern involved with this project will work on two projects focused on native bees in eastern Oregon. The first project involves documenting native bee communities and insect visitors to culturally significant plants at 10 sites in eastern Oregon in collaboration with our tribal partners. The second project focuses on process-based restoration projects (e.g., beaver dam analogs) and how they affect native bee communities in riparian areas and floodplains. This work will take place at five pairs of sites located throughout eastern Oregon where active watershed  restoration is occurring.

The objectives of the projects are to:

1. document insect visitors to several culturally significant plant species during the growing season;
2. quantify blooming plant availability and sample native bees at all sites each month, using various methods; and
3. compare blooming plants and native bees between restored and unrestored floodplains

Student Responsibilities:

The intern will be involved in both field and laboratory work. Field work may last all day and involve physical activities such as extensive walking to and among field sites while carrying up to 25 pounds of equipment, collecting bees and other insects using nets and other trapping techniques, and sampling plants. It is anticipated that 30% of the intern’s time will be spent in the field and the remaining time in the laboratory. Most field work will take place at remote locations and may involve staying in field station housing or camping for up to a week at a time. Laboratory work will consist of preparing insect specimens for identification (e.g., washing, drying, pinning, and labeling specimens), organizing insect collections, cataloging plant specimens, and entering data into Excel.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

Although helpful, no previous experience with insects or plants is necessary.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The intern can expect to learn or further develop existing skills in vegetation sampling, bee sampling methods, laboratory techniques (including bee and plant preparation and preservation), data entry and analysis, and presentation skills in the development of their final project.

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/week

Hourly Working Parameters: The student may have to work longer days when field work is being conducted (i.e., start before 8 AM and/or work after 5 PM).

Housing Benefit: Housing at HAREC is provided, which involves sharing a room with another intern.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No

Faculty Mentor: Christopher Adams

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

The Adams Tree Fruit Entomology Lab, located at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MCAREC) in Hood River, has a number of research projects planned in both pear and sweet cherry orchards. We are currently working on two invasive species that impact the tree fruit industry; the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). Projects will include understanding and improving trapping and monitoring of these key insects. We are also investigating parasitoid wasps for control of these and other insect pests. Pear psylla is a key pest that pear growers must control. The primary control tactic is promotion and protection of a large complex of natural enemies. We will be trying to understand how we can make this diverse beneficial complex more productive for growers. Western Cherry X Disease is a phytoplasma that lives and replicates in the vascular phloem of infected trees. It is vectored by several species of leafhoppers. We will be conducting leafhopper surveys to determine the species complex and the phenology of these insects in order to better time control measures. Other exciting projects are being developed and the candidate will have an opportunity to work on many novel projects.

Student Responsibilities:

The student is expected to learn how to identify insect pests of tree fruit, their predators, and parasitoids. The Student will deploy and check insect monitoring traps and help to collect and process data. Much of this work will be outside in the fresh air, sunshine, and occasional wet weather, so students should enjoy being outdoors working in the field and plan to dress accordingly. Many of these studies will require insects to be identified and counted under the microscope, so quality time at the scope can also be expected. 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

Working well with others, a positive attitude, attention to detail, love of insects. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will see first-hand the challenges of growing quality fresh fruit. Students will gain experience in insect identification, experimental design, data collection and analysis, team work, and the beauty of the Hood River area.

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: The student can expect to work 20 - 40 per week.

Hourly Working Parameters: This position does not require special working hours outside a normal work week.

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Jeremiah Dung

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

High value specialty crops are a major component of agriculture in central Oregon. The area is a major producer of carrot seed, supplying over 60% of the hybrid carrot seed planted in the U.S. Central Oregon also produces Kentucky bluegrass seed, peppermint for oil and tea leaf, garlic and onion seed, wheat, seed potatoes, and alfalfa hay and seed. Pests and diseases present a significant challenge to crop production by reducing yields, increasing costs of production, and limiting market acceptability.  

The Plant Pathology Lab at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC) is focused on the study and control of plant diseases affecting the high-value specialty crops of the region. We use both traditional and molecular techniques to answer applied and basic questions related to the biology and control of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens, with the goal of developing integrated disease management programs for long-term, sustainable control. Specific research focuses on pathogen detection and quantification, population biology of plant pathogens, spatial and temporal dynamics of plant disease, and identifying environmental factors that contribute to plant disease epidemics. 

The student working on this COAREC Branch Experiment Station (BES) Research Internship will have the opportunity to be involved one or more research projects. Specific research projects will depend on the intern’s interests, academic and career goals, funding availability, and project needs. Research projects planned for Summer 2024 include, but are not limited to, developing in-field diagnostic isothermal assays for Verticillium wilt of peppermint, ergot management in Kentucky bluegrass seed production, detection and management of powdery mildew in carrot seed crops, and the integrated management of carrot bacterial blight.

Student Responsibilities:

The intern will assist in plant pathology research under laboratory, greenhouse and field settings. This will include collecting and processing greenhouse and field samples, conducting traditional and/or DNA-based diagnostic or quantitative assays, artificially-inoculating plants, culturing plant pathogens in the lab, and entering/curating data sets.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

Although not required, a background in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or plant pathology (either courses or prior lab experience) would be advantageous for this experiential learning experience. Experience with basic computer software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The intern will have the opportunity to gain skills related to experimental design, field research (survey and sampling protocols, small plot research), microbiology (aseptic technique and culturing of fungi and/or bacteria), molecular biology (DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, quantitative-PCR), and basic plant pathology techniques (inoculating plants, determining disease incidence and severity, soil sampling, and isolating plant pathogens from infected tissues). The intern will learn methods associated with data collection, basic data analyses, and summarizing research results for diverse audiences including growers, industry stakeholders, and the scientific community. 

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: For this internship, the student will be expected to work 40 hours per week, which may include up to 15 hours per week conducting field work.

Hourly Working Parameters: Work hours may vary depending on crop maturity, weather, grower schedules, or other factors that cannot be controlled.

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: James Sulikowski

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

Are you interested in sharks? Join the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) Big Fish Lab (BFL) research team  where one of their goals is to study the role of shark moms  in ocean ecosystems. In the BFL, you will be primarily working in a controlled laboratory and field setting (i.e. Dr. Sulikowski's laboratory at Oregon State University). Summer work will be focused on learning and using radioimmunoassay, a technique used to quantify circulating levels of reproductive hormones in female sharks. This technique allows us to determine if a shark is pregnant, which helps us to develop management strategies to protect both mom and her babies from the myriad of assaults they face in the marine environment.  We invite candidates to apply who are energetic, enthusiastic, smart, hardworking, dependable and willing to learn. It will be jawsome. 

Student Responsibilities:

• Work with the members of lab to quantify shark hormone levels using radioimmunoassay
• Data entry
• Lab organization
• Field gear prep
• Research trips to catch and tag sharks

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Experience with data entry, organization, quality control, and management using spreadsheet software
• Experience with data analysis in R or similar software
• Experience working in a laboratory setting 
• Ability to work in an environment that controls for contamination
• Experience deploying fishing gear from a vessel
• Experience handling large sharks
• Experience working with potentially hazardous materials
• Some knowledge of radioimmunoassay technique 
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity
• Be SciShield trained (or ability to complete online training prior to starting)

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Proficiency in the use of radioimmunoassay
• Proficiency in deploying various field gear 
• Proficiency in organizing and analyzing shark hormone data
• Gain experience working with diverse individuals 
• Gain experience in a fast-paced work environment
• Engage and work with research professionals in various fields 

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: Minimum 30 max 40

Hourly Working Parameters: Weekend field trips and outreach events are expected to occur

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes.

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes.

Faculty Mentor(s): Chris Langdon and Ford Evans

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Specific Duration of Project: Summer term and possibly a couple of additional weeks before the beginning of the fall term.

Project Description:

Seaweed aquaculture is an emerging industry on the US West coast. There are significant challenges in the economic development that require additional research. In this project, the selected BES student will work on applications of panel culture of several different red seaweeds. These applications may include feeding sea urchins on a diet of red seaweed as well as examining the potential for offshore aquaculture of red seaweed contained in hanging panels. In addition, the student may have the opportunity to work on other aquaculture projects that involve the effects of ocean acidification and microplastics on oysters. The student will be encouraged to develop his/her own project that will be presented at the end of the summer in a poster.

Student Responsibilities:

The student will work under the supervision of staff and researchers at HMSC. Duties will vary according to the needs of the program and the student's project, but will focus on seaweed culture.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

The BES student should be self-motivated and hard working. The student will be working in a team of students, technicians and researchers; therefore, good communication abilities are important. Experience in the cultivation of freshwater or marine organisms is desirable but not required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The student will become familiar with marine aquaculture, especially the culture of seaweeds. This will involve learning about and participating in the construction and operation of different culture methods, measurement of production parameters, such as growth. Other more general skills will include experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, production of a poster describing the summer’s research project.

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 30 to 40 hours per week

Hourly Working Parameters: Some weekend work may be needed, depending on the student's project and other program needs.

Housing Benefit: Funding for accommodation at HMSC housing will be provided during the internship

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No

Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Barnes

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025

Specific Duration of Project: Flexible start and end dates

Project Description:

Contemporary ecology is teeming with studies that work toward understanding climate impacts on animal populations. The lack of comprehensive biological data, however, limits our ability to estimate species responses to their environments. These data limitations are exacerbated for marine fishes that have widespread distributions. For these, we must first understand the impacts of spatial variation on our estimates before we can effectively track changes through time.   Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) represent a major component of nearshore fisheries from central California to Alaska. Despite this, we do not yet understand how their life history varies across space. This project addresses an important informational void by estimating growth, maturity, and other key traits for black rockfish throughout their natural range. Our research will be used to inform state-based stock assessment models, refine definitions of population structure, and inform regional decision-making. This study will also provide baseline data with which to assess potential impacts of climate change on black rockfish in the future.   We are working closely with state and federal agencies to maximize the utility of our work for fisheries management and benefit the coastal communities that rely on black rockfish for food and/or economic resources. Collaborating agencies include California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA).  

Student Responsibilities:

Internship activities will promote development of the technical skills that are commonly used in marine fisheries science. Specific tasks may involve portside sampling, participating in at-sea surveys, assisting with fish dissections, preparing or ageing otoliths, assessing microscopic maturity, estimating fecundity, recording/entering/summarizing data, and/or conducting preliminary statistical analyses. This project also emphasizes the importance of community engagement, thus interns will regularly interact with fishery stakeholders. 

There may also be opportunities for students to participate remotely or in a hybrid fashion. Activities for remote or hybrid internships may involve performing scientific literature reviews, identifying potential new industry collaborations, synthesizing data, and/or developing new data collection or analytical protocols.  

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

We prioritize one’s potential over experience in order to promote skill development and self confidence in undergraduate students that have not yet had opportunities to participate in scientific research. Prospective students should be organized, detail-oriented, and interested in upholding standardized data collection protocols. A keen interest in fisheries and/or marine science is desired. All necessary training for field- and lab-based work will be provided. BES Research Interns will be directly supervised by a graduate student who will be responsible for day-to-day activities. BES Research Interns will also meet with their faculty mentor on a biweekly basis (more, if requested) and participate in IMF Lab meetings.  

The IMF Lab intentionally seeks out and supports diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives — doing so improves the quality of our work and enriches our daily lives. Thus, we strongly encourage those who identify with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized groups to apply.  

Student Learning Outcomes:

BES Research Interns will gain valuable, hands-on experience through field- and/or lab-based data collection and other types of project support. Students can expect to learn an assortment of tools and techniques that are commonly used in marine fisheries science. Specifically, BES Research Interns will work with a graduate student to sample and dissect fish, preserve and prepare biological samples for further processing, and collect relevant life history data (e.g., ages, maturity stages, fecundity). Some scientific literature review and/or database management may also be involved. BES Research Interns will primarily work from OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC), though there may be opportunities to travel to sampling sites along the US West Coast. 

Student Hourly Salary: $16 per hr

Expected Hours/Week: 16-32 hr per wk; varies depending on the time of year

Hourly Working Parameters: Work schedules may be flexible, involve occasional weekends, and/or extend past 5PM, as needed

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No

Faculty Mentor: Stuart Reitz

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Specific Duration: Research can be conducted over the summer; however, insect populations will peak in July so that will be a critical time for research.

Project Description:

Insecticide resistance is a key concern for all farmers. It is an especially critical issue for onion farmers, who have a limited set of insecticides to control onion thrips, the key pest of onions worldwide. Levels of resistance vary by location and time. Documenting the degree of resistance requires testing the response of different populations over time. The student will need to handle small quantities of insecticides following appropriate safety training.  

Through this project, we wish to establish baseline resistance profiles for commonly used insecticides in populations of onion thrips across the Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and southwest Idaho, which is one of the nation’s largest onion producing regions. The information from this project will help onion growers make informed decisions about their pest management programs.

Student Responsibilities:

1. The student will be responsible for collecting insects from specifically identified commercial onion fields. This will include driving to field sites, proper handling of plants and collection of insects. 
2. The student will be responsible for setting up experiments, monitoring their progress, and collecting, recording and summarizing data. 
3. The student may need to maintain colonies of thrips in the laboratory to generate sufficient numbers of test insects. 
4. The student will receive hands-on instruction in all of these methods from the mentor (Stuart Reitz) and other personnel at the Experiment Station. 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

1. Willingness to learn and ask questions.
2. Interest in learning about insect biology, identification and toxicology. 
3. Interest in preparing simple chemical solutions. 
4. Interest in establishing and monitoring insect bioassays. 
5. Interest in learning scientific record keeping, data entry and basics of logistic regression for data analysis.
6. Ability to use a stereomicroscope.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Insect identification skills, including collection and colony maintenance techniques.
2. Skill in use of stereomicroscopes, basic chemical preparation, including use of micropipettes.
3. Skill in establishing insect bioassays, using techniques for onion thrips developed in the Reitz lab. 
4. Introduction to logistic regression and other statistical analysis skills to summarize project data.

Student Hourly Salary: $14.50/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/week

Hourly Working Parameters: No after-hours or weekend work is anticipated.

Housing Benefit: For out of town students, we may be able to provide housing at Treasure Valley Community College.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Christina Hagerty

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025

Project Description:

The main objectives of this project to determining the appropriate cover crops for dryland wheat production system in the Inland Pacific Northwest. The project will focus on evaluating the impacts of cover crops on weed control, soil fertility and nutrient cycling, soil health, and yield of wheat crop.

Student Responsibilities:

We are looking for a student intern to work with our lab team throughout the summer and month of September. The student intern will be expected to spend 20-35 hours per week outdoors and up to 20 hours per week in an indoor lab/greenhouse. He/she will be working directly with other lab members to develop project work plans as part of a general research effort in the program. Students will have opportunity to engage in many on-going projects and we can accommodate if the student has specific interests (e.g. Seeking lab experience? Seeking field work experience? Seeking data management and preliminary data analysis skills?). 

1. Help in preparing labels and sample bags.
2. Do plant and soil sampling, evaluate root biomass and disease scoring
3. Help managing research plots
4. Weigh the plant biomass and grains from the plots and enter the data in excel.
5. Help in harvesting
6. Help maintain a clean and safe working environment 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Interest in science/agronomy and farm experience is desirable. 
• Required skills: Timeliness, good attitude, attention to detail, able to work in hot/dry/dusty conditions.
• Work will be challenging but gratifying. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Student will gain full exposure to agronomic research methods. He/she will learn how to manage research plots, collect and organize data. We can teach them preliminary data analysis skills if they are interested. Student will also learn about the key agronomic principles and general crop management practices throughout the growing season. Moreover, students will gain hands-on experience in plant and soil samplings for determining plant and soil health status, crop scouting, and pest management. Students will be able to directly interact with experienced and passionate researchers and can learn technical and leadership skills from them. 

Student Hourly Salary: $18/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/wk

Hourly Working Parameters: Most weeks we work 7:30 – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday. However, student may be asked to work 10 hours in some days within a 40-hour workweek.  

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? Yes

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Marcia Walker

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

Summers at the Food Innovation Center are filled with a variety of projects focused on product development or research of food products.  This summer internship will include working in the R&D lab on product formulation, process development and quality testing.  Hands-on experience with real client projects of the Food Innovation Center.  Student interns will become part of the team at the FIC and coordinating projects with the food scientists The FIC is a laboratory that includes:  A large central kitchen, Sensory and Consumer Research Lab, Focus Group Lab, Food Safety lab and Product Development Lab, Analytical Lab.  Work will be performed in each of the labs depending upon what you have been asked to work on.   

Student Responsibilities:

• Summer interns will be responsible for managing the tasks assigned by their mentors. 
• General food science lab analysis, including pH, water activity, and refractometer readings. 
• Lab and kitchen clean up and general organization.
• Guided bench-top formulation work. 
• Product evaluation for flavor, texture and other important characteristics will be part of the testing. 
• The student intern will gain excellent real-world, hands-on skills in dealing with clients. 
• Students will be responsible for reporting these results to FIC staff upon completion of their internship.
• Generally, interns will be on their feet most of the day, some computer work will be required, little or no travel will be required.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

An interest in food product development and general food science with excellent communication and computer skills is preferred.  Use of computer, and basic lab skills, dishwashing, and organizational skills will be required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The intern will leave the summer internship with a broad knowledge of product and process development, sensory and consumer research, and basic project management skills

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs

Hourly Working Parameters: There may be an opportunity to work on a weekend, but this is not common, there may also be after hours work, but this is not common.

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No

Faculty Mentor: Zeynep Atamer

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024,Fall 2024

Project Description:

In this project, the aim is to design and produce an ice cream with reduced sweetness. This summer internship will include working in manufacturing of ice cream with different variety of rare sugars using a batch ice cream machine in research lab at the Food Innovation Center (FIC), sensory testing, and product and process development work. Produced ice cream samples stored at different time periods will be analyzed by the sensory penal created through the FIC.

Student Responsibilities:

Analysis, including: pH, water activity, and refractometer readings. Lab and kitchen clean up and general organization. Guided bench-top formulation work. The intern will design ice cream mix by using a variety of rare sugars obtained from the project partners and produce ice cream samples. To produce samples, a batch ice cream machine will be used and the intern will be trained by his/her mentors to use the machine. Furthermore, the intern will work on the sensory analysis of the produced samples and together with the mentor prepare the related sensory questionary. This project will be conducted with the support of Oregon Ice Cream Co. and therefore, the intern will attend the organized meetings to discuss the experimental design and obtained results. It is expected to evaluate the results and prepare a report on the achieved experimental results. The student intern will gain excellent hands-on skills in manufacturing of ice cream and administering sensory tests from beginning to end. Students will be responsible for reporting these results to FIC staff upon completion of their internship.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

An interest in food product development and general food science with excellent communication and computer skills is preferred. Use of computer, and basic lab skills, dishwashing, and organizational skills will be required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The intern will leave the summer internship with a broad knowledge of ice cream production, structure, sweeteners, product and process development, sensory and consumer research, and basic project management skills

Student Hourly Salary: $15/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/week

Hourly Working Parameters: There may be an opportunity to work on a weekend, but this is not common, there may also be after hours work, but this is not common.

Housing Benefit: We do not offer a housing benefit. But the student with the help of the mentee can apply to BUILD Dairy for support.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No

Faculty Mentor: Bryan Endress

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024

Project Description:

Many forb species of the grassland, shrubland and dry forest ecosystems of the interior Pacific Northwest are important to the health, diet, and culture of Indigenous people of the region.  However, information on the status, trends, and health of many food plants is lacking and little is known about how invasive species, changing fire regimes, livestock grazing, or land management actions (fuels reduction, stand thinning, prescribed fire etc.) affect forb abundance. We developed a monitoring protocol to address this knowledge gap for the Blue Mountains and Columbia Plateau ecoregions of northeast Oregon.  A collaborative group including tribal, university, agency, and non-governmental organization partners developed the protocols. Protocols utilize permanent plots to measure and track density and frequency of 17 culturally important species and record important site characteristics. Plots are established in areas of concern or interest as identified by tribal partners and land managers, as well as at sites with planned management actions. Plots are sampled prior to treatment which provides pre-treatment data and the ability to monitor forb responses following treatments. Data are used to inform management, restoration, and conservation efforts.

Student Responsibilities:

• Conduct field work  to collect ecological data as well as native seeds in support of the project.
• Enter data on tablets, upload, and proofread.
• Maintain detailed records and notes.
• Contribute to a positive work environment.

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Strong desire to learn
• Ability to work well with others
• Experience working in natural areas (forest, rangelands, etc.) in warm, rugged conditions
• Previous coursework in ecology, natural resources, traditional ecological knowledge or botany

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Establish monitoring plots to collect ecological and natural resource data
• Measure plant, vegetation, and soil parameters
• Collect and process native seeds for restoration

Student Hourly Salary: $16/hr

Expected Hours/Week: 40 hrs/week

Hourly Working Parameters: We generally work (but not always), 4- 10 hour days (M-TH), with Friday-Sunday off; most days are outside rain (snow) or shine!

Housing Benefit: Yes, housing options available at EOARC-Union or nearby.

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? Yes

Faculty Mentor: Trace Martyn

Project Term Availability: Summer 2024,Fall 2024,Winter 2025,Spring 2025

Project Description:

Dryland ecosystems are those that are limited by water availability but make up about 40% of the global landmass. Grasslands (a dryland ecosystem) alone support about 30% of global meat and dairy production and support at least 1/8th of the world population. At least 30% of Eastern Oregon – which supports a number of Oregon’s Agricultural and Natural commodities – is considered a dryland ecosystem. Native plants species in these ecosystems are limited by a suite of abiotic and biotic processes such as resource limitation and competition for resources. Climate change and disturbance can further affect these species through shifts or reductions in resource availability and changing competitive interactions. In addition, climate change is likely to further limit species establishment through extreme climate events (such as drought and heatwave) that inhibit germination and increase seedling death. To accurately describe impacts of projected changes in climate on plant species in dryland ecosystems, we need to create biologically realistic models.  

Tools such as individual‐based simulation models can help us quantify the impacts of climate change and altered disturbance regimes. STEPWAT2 is an established individual plant‐based simulation model that simulates water movement in the soil as well as plant growth of different species within a simulated plant community (https://github.com/DrylandEcology/STEPWAT2) (https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2394). This model has been used on a number of published papers on climate change impacts on big sagebrush plant communities from researchers at a number of institutions around the US and world. The existing model however, is limited in its ability to accurately simulate plant establishment and the potential impacts of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and drought.

This project has two goals: (1) to improve germination and establishment simulation in the STEPWAT2 model and (2) simulate drought and heatwave impacts to germination/survival. For this project, we would use species from sagebrush ecosystem to test the changes and run simulations for this ecosystem (one that covers nearly ¼ of Oregon’s land area).

Student Responsibilities:

The student would be expected to pull the existing model from GitHub and work on implementing the above goals. Day-to-day work would be at the discretion of the student, but the student would be expected to meet once a week with the Faculty Mentor to go over their progress and design next-steps for the coming week.   Initially, it is expected that the student would need time to get acquainted with the structure and running of the model. Then after this, the student would be expected to make changes congruent with the goals of this project and test those changes to the model for any errors. If interested, the student would have the opportunity to run the model to answer research questions for publication.  

This work is critical to ongoing work on climate impacts at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center – Union (EOARC – Union). However, because of the nature of this work, this internship could be done remotely. 

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

The student would need sufficient experience in C/C++ to understand the model and implement changes. The Faculty Mentor has used the model but has limited C/C++ experience so the student would need enough experience to make changes, test, and debug. Experience in R and GitHub would also be preferred. The extended STEPWAT team has a number of researchers/coders that could be available to the student assist with specific questions if needed.

Student Learning Outcomes:

This project is designed to build skills and experience C/C++ coding, model building, and working with ecological data. The student would work closely with the Faculty Mentor to design and implement model components that would accurately simulate ecological processes. In addition, the student would gain skills on collaborative working as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers at USGS, Marshall University, Yale University, and Northern Arizona University.  

Student Hourly Salary: $18/hr

Expected Hours/Week: Up to 8-10 hrs a week – depending on student availability.

Hourly Working Parameters: There is no expectation for the student to work weekends or odd hours.

Housing Benefit: None, student responsible for own housing (this could be a remote internship)

Will the student have interaction with minors or access to hazardous chemicals, as student will need to complete a criminal background check? No

Will the student be operating vehicles or farm equipment /machinery, as they will need to submit driving record? No