Seven students from five different universities have been selected for Stone Lab’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Scholarship Program this year. The REU program is a competitive comprehensive research internship that attracts students from across the country to learn how to conduct real, in-the-field research alongside top scientists.

Since 2005, Stone Lab has awarded 139 REU scholarships totaling $478,098. Students selected for the program receive a full scholarship to Stone Lab, including in-state tuition for a five-week course, in-state tuition for the two-credit-hour research experience, lab fee, and room and meals.

Scholarships at Stone Lab, including the REU program, are supported in large parts by donations and endowments from alumni, supporters and friends. The Friends of Stone Lab, a non-profit group dedicated to assist with planning and funding for the lab and its students, has created 22 endowments since its founding in 1982, and offers alumni a chance to stay connected to Stone Lab after graduation.

REU students spend their non-class days focused on research in a topic area of their choice while taking a five-week course at Stone Lab. Working closely with their research supervisor, they collect data, learn how to write about their discoveries and give a final presentation to their peers — learning the research process from start to finish and gaining valuable professional experience. This year, REU topics include limnology (the study of inland waters), ichthyology (the study of fish), ornithology (the study of birds) and botany (the study of plants).

In past years, REU students have gone on to medical school, to do research abroad while pursuing graduate work, and to work for state agencies.

This year’s REU students are:

• Alyssia Armstrong, Youngstown State University (Limnology)
• Jade Bolinger, Bowling Green State University (Limnology)
• Allison Erf, Youngstown State University (Limnology)
• Harrison Fried, The Ohio State University (Ichthyology)
• Crista Kieley, University of New England (Limnology)
• Raphaella Mascia, Holy Cross College (Ornithology)
• Matt Monteith, The Ohio State University (Botany)

All seven students will present the results of their five-week research projects on July 19, 2018 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. as part of Stone Lab’s Guest Lecture Series. The presentations are broadcast live online, with information on tuning in available at go.osu.edu/stonelablectures.

More information about the REU program is available at ohioseagrant.osu.edu/research/reu.

Located on the 6.5-acre Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and the research, education, and outreach facility of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. Established in 1895, Stone Laboratory is the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States and the center of The Ohio State University’s teaching and research on Lake Erie. Stone Lab offers 25 college-credit science courses each summer for undergraduate and graduate students, advanced high school students, and educators. For information on Stone Laboratory, visit stonelab.osu.edu.