2002 MBARI Internship applicants
Application procedure:
Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation. The cover letter should include a statement of your research interests (with specific mention of one of the following potential projects or areas), relevant coursework and grades, and complete contact details (home and work phone numbers and email address, if available). MBARI is an equal opportunity employer.
Below you will find a list of some potential projects and mentors (this list will be updated, so please bookmark and check this page from time to time). Clearly identifying a specific research interest/area is an important part of your application and is essential in the application process. Please contact George Matsumoto if you have any questions. I have provided links to the mentors home pages (if available) so that you can learn more about the various mentors, please DO NOT contact the mentor directly.
Peter Brewer , Ed Peltzer, and George Malby
- Laser Raman Spectrometer
- Over the last few years we have advanced the art of chemical measurement in the deep ocean through the innovative use of MBARI's remotely operated vehicles. We are now making the first ever laser Raman spectrometer measurements of a variety of chemical, biological, and geological targets in the deep sea. Challenges include the detection of methane and CO2 hydrates, the signature of bacterial mats, and the gradients in marine pore waters. We will provide opportunities for an intern to take part in both the field and laboratory parts of this program, and to learn both the theory and technique behind these measurements. This intern will become part of the team developing new techniques for ocean carbon sequestration, and for deep ocean laser Raman spectroscopy for fundamental biogeochemical measurements. http://www.mbari.org/ghgases/
- Multibeam sonar data and AUV technology.
- This project would include working with MBARI's AUV program and assisting with the development of the integration of the multibeam sonar onto this platform. The underlying acoustics could be handled by any student with reasonable mathematical sophistication. The existing software base would make programming tasks and data analysis straightforward. Students applying for this project should have the prerequisite physics, math, and programming skills.
- Potential Biological Oceanography Projects
- Aspects of Simulations of Ocean Physics and Ecosystems for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Relating bio-optical measurements from in situ instruments to primary productivity
The submarine volcanism project is looking for an intern to assist with the work-up of carbonate reef samples collected offshore Hawaii during the 2001 expedition. In particular, we want to reconstruct the reef facies sampled during 8 dives on a drowned reef at –400 m depth that is about 125,000 years old. The project would entail reconstructing the dives using existing high-resolution bathymetry and the video of the dives coupled with an ecologic analysis of the biogenic and cement components of the carbonate samples collected. A background in either geology or biology and an interest in coral reefs are highly desirable.
Ed Delong
- Molecular Investigations in Microbial Oceanography
- Microorganisms are major mediators of energy and nutrient cycling in the sea. Although a diverse group of organisms are responsible for these processes, current methods for identifying microbial species and linking them to specific biogeochemical and biological cycles are not well developed. The underlying goal of the microbial oceanography group at MBARI is to develop and apply new tools and techniques to identify, detect, and quantify microorganisms, and relate them to the biogeochemical processes which they mediate. Much of our focus is on the use of molecular biological and biotechnological tools to elucidate these systems. Model systems of the microbial oceanography group span the taxonomic spectrum from eukaryotic plankton, to prokaryotes to viruses.
- Specific activities include:
- Development and application of DNA probes and novel instrumentation for detection and quantification of toxic and nontoxic phytoplankton (Scholin et al.)
- Development of methods for detection, quantification, and biogeochemical characterization of dominant (but unculturable) planktonic microbes (DeLong et al.)
Jeff Drazen and Bruce Robison
- Deep-sea Fish Ecology
- Most studies of deep-sea fishes involve capturing specimens with nets, baited hooks, or simple traps. For all but a few robust species these methods of capture lead to death before or soon after the fishes are retrieved to the ship. MBARI's ROVs provide the opportunity to observe and study deep-sea fishes in their environment and gently collect some species for laboratory studies. Current research includes using the ROV video and data archives to examine fish behavior and distributions and examining energetic adaptations of several fishes in the laboratory. Interns will be expected to assist in both laboratory and ship-board work. They will either assist in ongoing projects or develop a new project within the existing framework of research.
Embedded Linux for scientific instruments: Evaluate Linux as a potential operating system for future embedded software applications. Experiment with ways to reduce memory footprint and exploit advanced power management features on x86 and StrongARM platforms. Gain valuable experience with cutting edge commercial and open source embedded Linux tools. Interact with MBARI software and electrical engineers evaluating and using Linux on vehicles and instruments. You will compile hard data comparing various design approaches and to present these to MBARI engineers.
Drew Gashler
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
- The internship will focus on the maintenance and operation of a prototype autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which may culminate with assisting in the deployment of the vehicle in an ocean observing system. Subsystems with which the intern will gain experience will include DC brushless motors, linear actuators, RS-485 and RS-232 serial communications, 1 atmosphere housings, PC-104 computer systems, data acquisition, and submarine cabling. We anticipate that the intern will go to sea for a day at a time in order to participate in AUV operations.
Peter Girguis and Ed Delong
- Ecophysiology of Marine Cold Seep Archaea
- Marine Anaerobic Methane Oxidation (AMO) is likely to be a key factor in global methane cycling. Although scientists have been aware of this process for some time, little is known about the specifics of marine AMO, including the rates of methane oxidation and the environmental factors that impact these rates. Using a wide variety of techniques, it is our intention to develop the first truly quantitative model of this process, paying particular attention to quantifying the microbial constituents and determining the environmental parameters that govern this process. Our studies include laboratory and in situ experiments on cold seep sediments. Specific activities range from building and maintaining anaerobic incubator systems to assisting in the development of DNA probes for quantifying archaeal populations.
The Information Applications Group develops data management solutions to meet both specific and institution-wide science needs. The IAG intern will perform a range of duties, including monitoring institutional data streams, documenting existing data paths and processes, and developing new tools to enhance existing data products. The candidate will also participate in team meetings to engineer the data management solutions for MBARI's Ocean Observing System (MOOS). The intern will use and enhance a range of data management and software development skills during their IAG internship.
Interns will work on a project of their choice, related to bioluminescence and gelatinous zooplankton (including ctenophores, medusae, siphonophores, radiolarians, polychaetes, urochordates, or molluscs). Areas of focus include molecular biology and chemistry of bioluminescence, dietary linkages between jellies, molecular phylogeny of zooplankton, functional ecology of bioluminescence, biological oceanography related to distributions of zooplankton and luminescence. Previous experience in protein chemistry, molecular work, or Matlab programming will be useful but not required for particular projects. A day or more at sea will be involved with most projects.
- MBARI Video Laboratory Knowledge Base Development
- MBARI's video archives and related annotation data provide a valuable research tool for studying organisms and geological features found in the deep sea. There are continuing efforts to enhance the data standards and software tools required to maintain consistent and meaningful data. The focus of this project will be compilation and organization of taxonomic data and associated descriptive, reference, and visual information. The intern will have the opportunity to work with a variety of science staff and industry experts as well as contribute new knowledge towards the advancement of MBARI's research efforts. Experience in biology and systematics preferred. Knowledge of common database functionality and digital imaging will be a plus. The candidate must exhibit the ability to work efficiently and independently following guidance from mentors.
Ken Johnson and Zanna Chase
We are interested in people with post-graduate experience that are interested in working on chemical sensor systems or studies of trace metal chemistry and analysis. Our lab research interests are focused on the development of new analytical methods for chemicals in seawater and application of these tools to studies of chemical cycling throughout the ocean. We have developed a variety of analytical methods for metals present at ultratrace concentrations in seawater using flow injection analysis with chemiluminescence and fluorescence detection. These methods have been used in a variety of studies of metal cycling in the ocean. Analytical methods for iron, an essential micronutrient, have been used in the IRONEX experiment to map iron as it was added in the equatorial Pacific and to study iron in coastal ecosystems. Methods sensitive to metal speciation have been used to study copper complexation in polluted harbors and to study the physical chemistry of metal oxidation. Over the past 15 years, we have also developed a variety of sensors and analyzers that operate in situ to depths of 4000 m. These instruments have been used to study processes ranging from the distribution of sulfide in deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems to nitrate in coastal ponds surrounded by intensive agricultural activities.
- Midwater Ecology.
- Interns will have the opportunity to assist with the lab's several ongoing research projects concerning the ecology of mesopelagic and bathypelagic animals, and/or to develop a new project within the midwater program. We are presently focused on gelatinous predators (siphonophores, ctenophores, and medusae), as well as larvaceans, squids, and fishes. We utilize the ROVs Ventana and Tiburon, extensive video and data archives, and a seawater lab facility for this work.
- JAVA Programming
- MBARI seeks talented Java programmer to craft a web applet to act as Graphical User Interface for a new benthic instrument. Must be fluent in Java, AWT, SWING and comfortable with accessing custom networking protocols via the "sockets" interface.
- High-resolution sensing in ocean process studies
- Within the rapidly changing environment of the coastal ocean, capturing snapshots of environmental structure can be a powerful tool in the effort to understand processes that shape the environment of marine life. This project would focus on high-resolution remote and in situ sensing to study physical-biological coupling in Monterey Bay. The remote sensing data are from the AVIRIS instrument flown over Monterey Bay in October 2000. These data have 250 times the spatial resolution of satellite ocean color and temperature imagery, and more than twenty times the spectral resolution of satellite ocean color. These data would be combined with shipboard observations collected concurrently. In addition, high-resolution in situ data from the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) will be used to study other aspects of physical-biological coupling in Monterey Bay.
- Conservation Program Development
- Evaluate MBARI's conservation procedures and practices, as it relates to program development, facilities and building material options, and recycling. Make recommendations on information to be posted. Candidate will be involved in Conservation Program web page development. The intent is to elevate staff, community and vendor awareness of sustainable procedures and practices.
- Microbial Footprints in Geochemical Precipitates
- A rapidly expanding field in both ocean science and geology is to characterize how geochemical processes control the environment of microbial populations AND how microbial populations might control their local environment. The tools that we will use for this study are mineralogy, petrology, and stable isotope chemistry. A summer intern would participate in the description of potential microbial indicators in geochemical precipitates from the Mendocino Transform Zone and the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The study would encompass analyses of carbonate veins and sulfide deposits. Both the classic tools of thin sections and x-ray diffraction will be combined with advanced tools such as microanalyses of carbon, oxygen and sulfur isotopes.
Nicole Tervalon
- Integration and Testing of Science Instrumentation on an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
- MBARI is currently developing an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of operating in the Arctic Ocean and collecting science data for an extended period of time (up to 10 days). The project would involve hardware and/or software development associated with the development of the scientific instrumentation package. It could also involve data analysis from these instruments to verify performance and reliability. The intern may be asked to go to sea for a number of single day test cruises.
Bob Vrijenhoek and Shana Goffredi
- Evolutionary Genetics
- Interns will have the opportunity to work in our molecular biology facilities and participate in ongoing research projects concerning evolutionary relationships and modes of dispersal of deep-sea hydrothermal vent and cold-seep animals. We currently focus on the historical biogeography of species of mussels, clams, snails and tubeworms that live in eastern Pacific hydrothermal vents and cold-water seeps. We are also interested in evolutionary relationships among the symbiotic microbes that live in the tissues of vent and seep invertebrates. Different modes of symbiont transmission appear to affect rates and patterns of molecular evolution of the symbionts. Finally, we also work on the conservation genetics of desert stream-dwelling fishes from northwestern Mexico. Long-term studies of changes in the genetic composition of sexual and clonal forms of these fish provide insights into the benefits of genetic diversity.