Georgia College and Colorado School of Mines received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the International Research Experience for Students program to study heavy metal pollution, phytoremediation and biofuel production in the abandoned mine waste site in Zambia. Under this funding a limited number of undergraduate and graduate students will be supported to conduct research in Zambia for six weeks in the summer of 2024.
Application for the Summer 2024 (Cohort 2) is noW open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Application deadline: October 30th, 2023
- Interviews: November 1st – 6th 2023
- Selection notification: December 4th, 2023
Year 3 Cohort:
The third Cohort (summer-fall 2024) will Identify and compare the performance of indigenous metallophyte and pseudometallophyte plant species as hyperaccumulators and investigate the biofuel/bioenergy production and carbon sequestration potential of the identified hyperaccumulators from May 27th to July 3rd (subject to change) in Zambia, South Central Africa and continue research in the fall semester at GC or CSM.
Program Summary
- International research experience with potential for long-term impacts
- Contributing to innovative research that has environmental, economic and social impacts.
- Mentoring from Zambian experts in various fields
- Strong, local partnerships with in-country partnering institutions and students.
- Experience African culture from the Zambian perspective
- Opportunity to build professional network and invaluable lasting friendships.
Eligibility
(students belonging to underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply)
- Participants must be full time college students who will still be returning as students in the Fall 2024 semester.
- All Participants should be US citizens or permanent residents when they apply.
- All travel and lodging expenses will be covered for participants
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Able to travel to Zambia and stay for the entire six weeks of research.
- Able to continue research for at least one semester after returning from Zambia.
- Possess a valid U.S. passport with an expiration date no earlier than 6 months after the date of the return flight.
- Able and willing to comply with all safety, security, and healthy measures required by the program and local authorities/communities in Zambia.
Preferences and attributes
- Flexible, open minded and adaptable
- Interest in future research
- Ability to work in teams and with a diverse group of people.
- Capable of enduring challenges in the field
- Open to new ideas and different perspectives
How to apply:
Submit an application that includes the following to Dr. Sam Mutiti at samuel.mutiti@gcsu.edu (for GC applicants) or Dr. Rennie Kaunda at rkaunda@mines.edu (for CSM applicants)
- Application cover form (email to request cover form)
- A statement of interest – 1 Page long
- A C.V. or Resume
- Current and up-to-date transcripts
- Two letters of endorsement/support (at least one has to be from a college faculty) – faculty to email the letters to Dr. Mutiti at samuel.mutiti@gcsu.edu or Dr. Kaunda at rkaunda@mines.edu
