If you're a high school or college student and think it might be interesting and fun to do research at a place like the Toolik Field Station for a summer, here's what I want to tell you:
You CAN do it.
In fact, there are a lot of college students working at Toolik this summer. Two of them are on our team, working on an "REU" - a Research Experience for Undergraduates. If you're thinking about going into the sciences, start planning now to get yourself on an REU for at least one summer during college.
Sarah Hay
Sarah Hay is from Pennsylvania and just finished her sophomore year at Bloomsburg University, where she's planning to major in biology. She's doing an REU with the environmental biology group here at Toolik, studying the bacterial communities in lakes and rivers.
Sarah filtering lake water to collect microbes.
Before getting her REU position at Toolik this summer Sarah had no experience other than her lab classes in field biology, but she took a rigorous schedule last semester, loading up on molecular biology, organic chemistry, microbiology, wetlands biology and a biology writing course. She also worked as a tutor. That's a tough schedule, but it helped get her a position doing cutting-edge research on the Alaskan tundra.
Sarah analyzing microbial samples in the lab.
Sarah is conducting her own research project that she designed along with Byron Crump from Oregon State University, and she's working independently to carry it out. She collects her own samples in the field and analyzes them in the lab. So far, she's been able to characterize different microbial communities in the streams and in the lakes, which will help the team understand microbial diversity across the landscape and how it might affect the rate at which organic matter is converted to CO2 and other heat-trapping gases.
Sarah on the north rim of the Atigun Gorge
Anna Clinger
Anna Clinger is from Michigan and just finished her freshman year at U of M. She's working with Rose Cory to conduct detailed measurements on the effect of light in breaking down organic matter in lakes and streams. Like the other REUs up here at Toolik, Anna is responsible for her own project -- collecting samples in the field, analyzing them in the lab, and handling the day-to-day management of her work.
Anna collecting water samples from the Sagavanirktok River.
Anna already has an impressive resume of outdoor work, having spent the past two summers working with the Student Conservation Association to build trails in Denali National Park and on the Appalachian Trail in New England.
Anna analyzing a sample on the aqualog.
This spring, before she came to Toolik, Anna did field work in the Canadian Rockies, collecting samples of melt water from glaciers. She has an amazing amount of experience for a college freshman, but it seems she's sought out and taken advantage of every opportunity that's ever come her way. At this point she's unsure of whether she's going to major (or even double major) in biology, chemistry, geology or some combination of sciences.
You, too, can REU
As REU students, not only do Sarah and Anna get to work side-by-side with brilliant scientists to do cutting-edge research at an amazingly cool place like Toolik, but they even get paid for it. When you do an REU all your travel and living expenses are covered, plus you earn a salary. And, if your work goes well, you might even get to be an author of a paper in a scientific journal before you graduate. Not bad.
For all you undergrads thinking about getting some genuine experience through an REU, there are opportunities everywhere, from the Arctic to the tropics, on land and at sea. Seek them out! Anna and Sarah both agree that the key is not to be afraid, take advantage of opportunities, get your hands dirty and have fun.
Colin Ward, Sarah Hay, Anna Clinger, me and Jason Dobkowski on the north rim of the Atigun Gorge.