UD Extension Scholars: Student Intern Program

What: Student internship with University of Delaware (UD) Cooperative
Extension

Delaware Cooperative Extension connects the public with university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs.

The goal of Cooperative Extension is to help individuals, families and communities make informed decisions that can enhance their lives. In so doing, the organization generates and disseminates research-based information, provides focused educational opportunities and builds relationships that create effective solutions.

Eligibility: Current undergraduate (summer following sophomore year and
beyond) or graduate students at the University of Delaware.

Purpose: The Extension Scholars program is designed to follow the service
learning model whereby interns will have an opportunity to become fully engaged in organizational service experiences that:

∑ Are integrated into the academic curriculum

∑ Meet the needs of a community

∑ Provide structured time for reflection

∑ Help foster civic responsibility

Opportunities: To expand knowledge of and to participate in the delivery of
Extension programming; to develop leadership and interpersonal skills; to learn about careers in Extension; and to apply knowledge gained through university coursework. Internship experiences include but are not limited to: participating in the conduct of needs assessment; designing and delivering educational programs; evaluating program impact; working with volunteers; fostering partnerships; pursuing funding.

Location: Extension offices on the UD campus and in New
Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties.

Expectations: Interns will work from June 4 - August 10, 2012; roughly 40 hrs per week. Some flexibility in hours may be required. Interns will be expected to provide their own transportation. All interns will be expected to participate in a capstone event such as giving a presentation, preparing a poster of their experience for display in the Ag Commons or another such event to be determined.

Application Process: Applications must be typed and are due on or before Friday, March 23, 2012 to Alice Moore, Administrative Office, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 113 Townsend Hall,

University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716-2103. Finalists may be interviewed by the selection committee. Selections will be announced by April 6.

Support: Up to three interns will receive a stipend of $3000 and, if needed, an allowance of up to $500 for job related travel and/or housing.

Students interested in obtaining an application for this program should contact:

Alice Moore, Administrative Assistant to

Janice A. Seitz, Ph.D.
Associate Dean and Director of Extension
University of Delaware
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
113 Townsend Hall
Newark, (DE
Contact Alice via e-mail at ammoore@udel.edu

or by phone at (302) 831-2504
http://ag.udel.edu/extension/extensionscholars.html

Nutritional Research internship: Smithsonian Nat'l Zoological Park

Background

The Nutrition Laboratory at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park focuses on several areas of basic and applied research: clinical nutrition, milk composition, and nutritional ecology. We are one of the few zoos in the world with a comprehensive on-site nutrition lab. Dr. Michael L. Power conducts and oversees research in all areas; but is especially interested in issues of nutrition related to the costs and consequences of female mammal reproduction.

Description

Nutrition Lab interns typically work both individually and as a team. There are always multiple projects being undertaken, and which ones an intern works on is determined by their supervisors with respect to the intern’s interests and skill set. An intern will always work on more than one project. Projects range from basic science questions to practical application of lab work in assessing foods to be fed the zoo animals. The current projects planned for this summer include:

1) the patterns of expression of growth factors in primate milks (Endocrine signaling via milk in primates)

2) longitudinal changes in milk composition in large mammals and their relation to infant growth

3) the effects of insect diet on the nutrient composition of insects to be fed to zoo animals

4) the nutrient composition of plant foods fed on by wild sifakas in a Madagascar forest reserve

5) evaluation of diets for selected species within the zoo’s collection.

Interns will largely perform laboratory assays on biological samples (e.g. milk, insects, plants). Interns will be responsible for recording all data into a lab book, entering the data into spreadsheets, and preparing summaries of the results. The work week is Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm; however, the occasional weekend project may arise, in which case other days off will be taken in exchange. Interns are encouraged to take advantage of scheduled zoo activities, such as Pathology Rounds and Lectures/Seminars as part of their internship time.

The intern will:

- be an upper level undergraduate or graduate student in a relevant field of study – animal science, anthropology, biology, zoology, food science, nutrition. Sophomore undergraduates may be considered on a case by case basis, based on qualifications.

- be proficient at Microsoft Office package

- have demonstrated written and oral communication skills (based on required cover letter and essay, as well as phone or in-person interview)

- be able to lift at least 50 pounds and work under typical outdoors conditions around Washington DC in the summer (hot and humid)

- be able to pass all of the SI-based background checks needed for volunteer staff

- be able to be present on a regular schedule at the Rock Creek campus, with occasional travel to Front Royal, VA. Transportation to Front Royal can be provided.

Duration and Compensation:

May – August, 2012. This internship is for 12 weeks, 40 hours per week and comes with a stipend of $360/week.

To apply, please direct a cover letter, short (maximum 750 words) essay describing your interests, goals, and qualifications, and resume (including 3 professional references) to: Michael L. Power, PhD, Animal Scientist (powerm@si.edu). By March 30, 2012