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Program Description:
- Eight week internships in plant biology, plant pathology, or weed science
- Gain experience in conducting research on special projects
- Additional programs will be offered related to laboratory safety, graduate education, and career opportunities
- Benefits include housing, assistance with transportation costs, and $3,600 stipend
- Starts on June 2, 2008 and runs through August 1, 2008
Eligibility:
- Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Completed two years college level study in one of the life sciences by June 2008
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Photo Gallery:
Visit our photo gallery of previous years summer internship students and
their projects.
Projects for Summer 2008:
| Researchers |
Projects |
| Nick
Carpita |
Functional Genomics of the Maize Cell Wall
Step 1 in the improvement of bioenergy crops. |
| Zhixiang Chen |
Mechanisms of Plant Gene Expression
This project involves studies of a group of pathogen-induced plant DNA-binding transcription factors in the regulation of plant defense gene expression and activation of plant disease resistance mechanisms. |
| Steve Hallett |
Ecology of Plant Invasions
We hypothesize that introduced plant species become invasive as a result of escape from coevolved relationships. Invasive plants may be more fit as a result of escape from specialized pathogens and pests during geographic displacement [Enemy Release Hypothesis]. Plant adaptations for competition (e.g. toxic allelochemicals released from the roots) may be particularly potent against new competitors in North America since these new competitors have not had the opportunity to coevolve counter-strategies to compete with them [Novel Weapons Hypothesis]. We will test the Enemy Release Hypothesis and the Novel Weapons Hypothesis by comparing the relationships between the biennial plant garlic mustard (Alliraria petiolata), a European invader of North America, and its associated soil biota from North America and Europe. |
| Peter Goldsbrough |
Heavy Metal Plants
Plants need a number of metals for growth, but these metals can be toxic if they are not handled properly within plant cells. We study a family of proteins that bind metals, especially copper and zinc. Our hypothesis is that these metal-binding proteins affect the accumulation and distribution of metals in various organs, including roots and seeds. We are using plants that lack these proteins, or have been genetically engineered to produce more of these proteins, to test this hypothesis. |
| Bill Johnson |
The Wonderful World of Weeds
The estimated average monetary loss caused by weeds in field crops grown in the U.S. is over 4 billion dollars each year. Weed management expenses are one of the largest variable costs incurred by growers annually. Weeds growing on cropland are like crop plants themselves, drawing upon the soil and air for essential elements. Production of food and energy for humans and livestock and the economic well being of U.S. citizens depends heavily on effective, integrated management of weeds.
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Tesfaye Mengiste
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Mechanisms of Plant Disease Resistance
By applying molecular and genetic tools we seek to understand plant innate mechanisms that fight microbial infection and how these resistance mechanisms can be utilized for crop improvement. |
| Jin-Rong Xu |
Safeguard Bread and Beer by Understanding DON and head blight
Wheat and barley head blight is the most important plant disease to US agriculture. In addition to yield loss, infested grains are often contaminated with a secondary metabolite known as deoxynivalenol (DON) that is toxic to human and animals and regulated by US and other governments. Our research aims to identify fungal regulatory genes and plant factors that control DON production and influence disease development. |
| Jody Banks |
How Does Plant Sperm Find the Egg?
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| Janna Beckerman |
Resistance is Futile
Understanding apple scab, fungicide resistance, and resistance breakdown in the fungal pathogen, Venturia inaequalis.
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Application:
You will need Adobe Reader to view and print the application form (below).
Application deadline: January 15, 2008. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance on or before February 1, 2008.
Click here to download and print the Application Form
Inquiries:
Dr. Peter Goldsbrough, Department Head
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
Purdue University
915 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Phone:
(765) 494-4615
E-mail:
Graduate
Programs: "Your Door to Discovery"
For information
about graduate education opportunities in the Department of Botany
and Plant Pathology at Purdue University, please visit our web page:
http://www.btny.purdue.edu/grad
If you
would like to tell us about yourself and your career interests so
we can provide you with more specific information, we recommend that
you visit the Apply
Yourself web site and complete a short form.
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Jobs