REU Site in Environmental Molecular Science

 

University of Notre Dame

 

SUMMER 2003

 

Return Application Materials to:

Dr. Jeremy B. Fein

Environmental Molecular Science Institute

169 Fitzpatrick Hall

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN 46556

(574) 631-8556

Electronic Submission: emsi@nd.edu

 

Application Deadline: March 15, 2003

 

This REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) site provides the participants with the opportunity to pursue research related to understanding the molecular-scale controls on contaminant transport in geologic systems.  It will involve eight weeks of lab work at the University of Notre Dame, culminating in a REU forum in which all participants will present results of their studies. 

 

The REU site is limited to eight (8) students and is an experiential research opportunity that will take place during the summer of 2003.  Your participation in the program will be timed to coin­cide approximately with the Notre Dame summer term (June 9–August 2).

 

The REU program is sponsored by the Environmental Molecular Science Institute, hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame.  The Institute brings together scientists and engineers with expertise in a wide range of environmental sciences, and students are offered a truly interdisciplinary research environment.  The scientific mission of the Institute is to provide a molecular-scale understanding of heavy-metal (Cd, Cu, Pb) and actinide (U, Np) interactions with nano- and micro-particles (bacteria, natural organic matter, mineral colloids, etc.) in the environment, and to determine how these particles affect contaminant transport in geologic systems.  The Institute integrates traditional macroscopic and microscopic techniques with state-of-the-art molecular-scale approaches such as x-ray absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular dynamics modeling.  The Institute maintains an extremely well-equipped analytical facility in Fitzpatrick Hall, and together with the Center for Environmental Science and Technology, offers powerful approaches for studying molecular-scale environmental geochemistry.

 

Potential areas of research include:

•     Geomicrobiology: A range of projects in which students investigate the effects of bacteria on contaminant tranport in groundwater systems.  Bacteria are present in virtually all near-surface geological systems, yet their effects on geochemical processes is unknown in most cases.  Experiments will be conducted to determine the nature and extent of adsorption of heavy metal cations and organic molecules onto bacterial surfaces, and to determine the effect of such adsorption on transport of the contaminants through porous media columns.  Students will be introduced to all geochemical and microbiological experimental techniques, and will be trained on a range of instruments for chemical analyses.  The information learned from these experiements will not only help to guide remediation for already-contaminated aquifers, but will also be useful for designing effective and safe geologic repositories for hazardous industrial and nuclear waste. - Dr. Jeremy B. Fein, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/jfein2.html

 

•     Environmental mineralogy pertaining to actinide transport: The mineralogy and crystal chemistry of uranium is understood reasonably well, whereas that of neptunium is almost completely unknown.  The projects will focus on exploring the crystal chemistry of neptunium, and its relationships with uranium.  Applications of the research will be a better understanding of the impact on actinide transport of co-precipitation of neptunium in uranium phases.  This research will also be a foundation for development of an understanding of the solution chemistry of neptunium under environmental conditions. – Dr. Peter C. Burns, http://www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/pburns2.html

 

•     Microbial diversity: Microbial diversity in groundwater systems is an increasingly important issue in groundwater remediation efforts.  Diversity is also important from the standpoint of natural processes in the subsurface environment. This project is focused on characterizing and understanding spatial and temporal variation in biological diversity in a shallow groundwater system located near the University of Notre Dame.  Efforts required of the REU participant include collection of field samples, contributing to the analysis and characterization of these samples, and interpretation of the spatial and temporal variation in the results of the analysis.  Interest in environmental engineering, groundwater systems, and microbial ecology is encouraged. – Dr. Stephen E. Silliman, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/ssilliman2.html

 

•     Benin water study: In ongoing studies of groundwater in Benin, West Africa, elevated concentation of Uranium has been observed in the eastern portion of the country, in addition to elevated concentration of heavy metals in the areas dedicated to growing cotton.  The causes of both of these observations remains uncertain and the focus of continuing study.  Work here will involve continued analysis of the water samples already collected, statistical and geochemical analysis of the analytical results, communication (but not travel) with colleagues in Benin, and design of the next stages of an ongoing field project in Benin. Success in this project may lead to future collaboration and travel associated with the Benin project. – Dr. Stephen E. Silliman, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/ssilliman2.html

 

•     Biotoxicity to bacteria of adsorbed metal ions: Many metals such as Zn, Cu, and Pb are known to be toxic to bacteria.  If these metals adsorb to mineral surfaces or form nano-particles, then are they still bioavailable and toxic? – Dr. Patricia A. Maurice, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/pmaurice2.html

 

•     Metal interactions with natural organic matter and mineral surfaces: Natural organic matter forms from decay of plant debris in oils and wetlands and it binds metals, thus having a profound impact on metal mobility.  This project would involve lab work, and potentially some field research to collect different types of natural organic matter. – Dr. Patricia A. Maurice, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/pmaurice2.html

 

•     Effects of natural organic matter and bacteria on formation of mineral nano-particles: Initial formation of minerals often involves creation of very small nano-particles.  Research will include finding out how natural organic matter and bacterial surfaces affect the formation and ultimate growth of these nano-particles. – Dr. Patricia A. Maurice, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/pmaurice2.html

 

•     PGE in Road Dirt project: Platinum is constantly being dispersed into the environment through attrition of automobile catalytic converters.  While catalytic converters perform a useful task of reducing smog, the fate of platinum in the environment is unknown.  If it oxidizes and complexes in organics (i.e., gets into the food chain) it is a known carcinogen.  Conversely, if it accumulates along roadsides, it is a potential economic resource, especially with the current market price of ~$650 per ounce.  Students will be involved in characterizing road dirt samples and possible speciation of platinum. – Dr. Clive R. Neal, www.nd.edu/~cegeos/faculty2/cneal2.html

 

 

Stipend

 

Each student involved in the REU program will receive a $4000 stipend (assuming completion of all facets of the REU program), and housing will be provided through the University of Notre Dame dorm system.

 

 

Application

 

Applications must be submitted by the deadline (March 15, 2003) to:

Dr. Jeremy B. Fein

Environmental Molecular Science Institute

169 Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN 46556

Email: emsi@nd.edu

Phone: (574) 631-8556

FAX (574) 631-8797

 

The applications may be submitted either in paper copy or electronically (pdf or ms-word).

 

 

Notification

 

We will make every effort to have our initial round of offers complete by April 15, 2003.  Dependent on response to the initial round of offers, we may be able to make second round offers on or about April 30. 




 

APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN:

ENVIRONMENTAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE REU 2003

 

Application Deadline is March 15, 2003

Application MUST Include:

1.  A completed application form

2.  Copies of your undergraduate transcripts

3.      A letter of recommendation from a faculty member

 

 

1. Your Name: _________________________________

 

2. Your Current Institution: __________________________________

 

3. Class Year  (Circle One): Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

 

4. Your Address:

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

 

5. Your Phone Number:  __________________________________

 

6. Your Email address: _______________________________

 

7. Please list all undergraduate schools that you have attended, the years attended, your major at each school, and your GPA at each school.  Be sure to make a note of any schools from which you have received a degree.

 

 

Name of School

Year Attended

Major

GPA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Date of Birth and Age: _________________________

 

9. Do you have health insurance? (University of Notre Dame regulations require that all partici­pants carry health insurance):   Yes     No

 

--Name of Health Provider and Policy Number:___________________________________

 

10.  Have you ever considered continuing your education through graduate studies (i.e., Masters or Ph.D.)?   Yes    No

--Do you anticipate that this summer program may help you in determining whether you want to pursue graduate studies?

 

11. Please provide the name of the faculty member whom you have contacted to provide a letter of recommendation: _____________________________________________.  Please arrange to have the letter sent to us directly.

 

12.  Have you requested your registrar to send a copy of your transcripts?  Yes    No

 

Complete short (3-4 sentence or less) essays for each of  the following:

 

A. Why do you want to participate in this particular REU program?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.  By applying to this program, you are expressing an interest in environmental molecular science.  What is this interest based upon?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Do you have any work experience that you believe prepares you for contributing to a program such as this REU site?  Please describe this experience and how it relates to the REU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Which of the projects described above is of interest to you (if more than one, please rank them in terms of your level of interest)?  Why are you interested in this (these) particular project(s)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please complete all items requested.  Remember to have a faculty member provide a letter of recommendation and to have your transcripts sent to Dr. Fein.