Who: Jemima Elsherbini (je6ug@virginia.edu)
What: My project is looking at soil salinization, or adding salt to soil, and how it can affect leaf size and shape in Hibiscus. I'm looking for help with three projects:
1. Determining the leaf area of leaves affected by leaf herbivory. Students would use ImageJ to analyze the leaves.
2. Watching footage of bees and observing when they collect pollen. Bee identification will be taught! There are three types of bees we’re looking for bumblebee, honeybee, and a specialist bee. Any other bee would be labeled as miscellaneous.
3. Counting pollen grains from two species of Hibiscus. This will be used to test an automated pollen counter as well as be used in a pollen viability study.
4. Counting seeds from Hibiscus seed pods.
All of these projects will be done remotely and would meet with me bi-weekly to as-needed.
Openings: 4-5 students
When: Spring 2026
How: Academic credit, Volunteer
Who: Mirella Shaban (qwe2qh@virginia.edu)
What: Opening to collaborate on meteorology and air quality data from an Arctic village. The research needs are data analysis and visualization of either
1) Analyzing air quality data from NOAA as well as a low cost, open hardware sensor array, or
2) Processing and visualizing terrestrial micrometeorology data
Openings: 1-2 students
When: Spring 2026
How: Academic credit, volunteer
Who: Stephanie Petrovick (dwv4dj@virginia.edu)
What:
1. Processing samples for foliar nutrient concentration. This consists of a set number of work hours per week (negotiable based on student’s availability) where the student grinds foliar samples to powder, stores them, and then once all the samples are processed, packages them into tins for nutrient analysis. Instruction and help will be provided.
2. Sorting and weighing dried biomass samples into plant functional groups. Instruction on plant identification and the rest of the process will be provided.
3. Database work, specifically collecting and working on plant trait data for specific species using the TRY database.
4. I have an opening for 2-4 students for field work during July 2026 at Blandy Experimental Farm. Will be around a week long and consist of collecting plant biomass samples, PAR measurements, and plant identification. Place to stay at Blandy will be provided, and transportation from Charlottesville can be provided if needed.
Openings: 4 students Spring 2026, 2-4 Summer 2026
When: Spring/Summer 2026
How: Academic credit, volunteer
Who: Chris Oxley (ewc5gu@virginia.edu)
What: My project focuses on how parasitic sponges, predation, and larval recruitment affect the tidal distribution of oyster reefs in high salinity ecosystems. We will use photo analysis to measure the starting sizes and sponge infestation levels of oysters and shells used in a long-term common garden experiment.
Openings: 1-2 students
When: Spring 2026
How: Academic credit, volunteer
Who: Heather Christenson (egs8er@virginia.edu)
What: We are seeking an undergraduate student researcher to contribute to a science communication project aiming to enhance the translation of critical research findings for a CoPe (Coastlines and People) Hub funded by the National Science Foundation.
For this research experience, the student will use tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps to convey research findings and community engagement efforts in the form of a multimedia narrative. The student will conduct informational interviews with CoPe team members and graduate students to learn more about the research being conducted, write plain language summaries to translate scientific findings, compile data in a presentable format, and develop effective visuals (such as maps) to convey key themes. Through this project, the student will develop skills in GIS, science communication and storytelling, data organization, and collaboration within an interdisciplinary team. There is also potential to attend CoPe research meetings and collaborate with civil engineering research. Experience with GIS is preferred but not required.
Openings: 1 student
When: Spring 2026
How: Academic credit, Volunteer
Who: Meara Tolentino (ekm9tu@virginia.edu)
What: Broadly, my project explores water quality parameters that would affect dissolved organic carbon in coastal ecosystems using remote sensing.
1) I would need help with some data synthesis. The student would need to obtain and compile data from a NASA database and some published literature.
2) The other opportunity would be related to literature review which would explore other remote sensing methods for DOC.
There will be an opportunity for you to be considered for academic credit (if needed) or a paid position in the Summer 2026 for field collection at the Virginia Coastal Reserve (VCR).
Openings: 1-2 students
When: Spring 2026
How: Academic credit, Volunteer