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New Faculty Members Join the OTS Team
 Resident Professor of Ethnobiology
Dr. Ugo D'Ambrosio recently finished his PhD degree in Ethnobiology at the University of Kent at Canterbury (UK), analyzing the effects of various conservation and development programs upon agroculinary ethnobiological systems of Conte-Burica, a Costa Rican indigenous territory inhabited by the Ngäbe and very few Buklé. Unintended causes and consequences of these various programs point to an accelerated transformation of linguistic, cultural and biological heritage as well as of new representations of nature and culture for at least 20 years. Currently, this phenomenon is common in most if not all indigenous territories of the country.
Dr. D'Ambrosio has also studied the socio-environmental and financial feasibility of Ngäbe ecotourism programs in the Osa Peninsula, partly while undertaking a Master's degree in Environmental Management at the University for International Cooperation (CR), and closely working with local families neighboring Corcovado National Park. He has also investigated the political ecology of natural resource use as well as productive alternatives in several rural communities in the country as an independent researcher, and has collaborated in multiple ethnobotanical publications mostly with the Ngäbe and several other institutions. With a previous background in evolutionary biology and microbial ecology completing a Master's degree in organismic and evolutionary biology from the University of Massachusetts (USA) over a decade ago, has ongoing ethnobiological projects in Costa Rica and Europe. Ugo's hobbies include hiking, cooking, learning languages, and traveling.
 Resident Tropical Medicine Professor
Carlos A. Faerron Guzmán, M.D.
University of Costa Rica
Carlos is a proud tico, as such he was educated as an M.D in the University of Costa Rica. In his professional life he has dedicated his time in working in the rural marginalized communities of Costa Rica and Nicaragua . He has worked with several indigenous communities of Costa Rica, especially the highly migrant Gnobes of Panama and the Guaymi population of Costa Rica.
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Recruiting Team Announces Tentative Schedule
Next month, the Enrollment Management Team will launch an extensive effort to recruit qualified undergraduate students for our vibrant Semester Abroad programs. Listed below is a TENTATIVE list of the schools the enrollment team is planning to visit this fall.
If your school is listed below, please contact us at otsadmissions@duke.edu to:
- Recommend interested students
- Provide a list of key faculty and staff
- Schedule a presentation for your classroom or other venue
- Any other ideas!
Our history proves that tips from our community often provide us with the ability to attract highly qualified students.
If your school is not listed, but you would like more information on our undergraduate programs or to discuss arranging a visit from our enrollment team, please email us at otsadmissions@duke.edu.
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SCHOOLS
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TENTATIVE
TRAVEL DATES
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Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts
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September 23, 2013
4:00PM - 6:00PM
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Auburn University - Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
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Austin College
Sherman, Texas
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Bates College
Lewiston, Maine
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Bennett College
Greensboro, North Carolina
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September 5, 2013
12:00PM - 1:30PM
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Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia
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October 9, 2013
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Bowdoin College
Brunswick, Maine
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October 2, 2013
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Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
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September 30, 2013
11:00AM - 2:00PM
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Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
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Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
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Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota
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Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Claremont-McKenna College
Claremont, California
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Clarkson University
Potsdam, New York
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Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
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Colby College
Waterville, Maine
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October 1, 2013
3:00PM - 5:30PM
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College of Holy Cross
Worcester, Massachusetts
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College of William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
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Colgate University
Hamilton, New York
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Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Columbia University & Barnard College
New York, New York
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September 27, 2013
12:30PM - 3:30PM
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Davidson College
Davidson, North Carolina
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DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
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Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
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Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
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September 10, 2013
11:00AM - 3:00PM
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Elon University
Elon, North Carolina
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Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
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September 9, 2013
10:00AM - 2:00PM
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
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Franklin & Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
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Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.
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Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa
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Hamilton College
Hamilton, New York
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Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, California
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Howard University
Washington, D.C.
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Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio
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October 15, 2013
11:00AM - 1:15PM
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Lewis & Clark
Portland, Oregon
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Lindenwood University
St. Charles, Missouri
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Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Macalester College
St. Paul, Minnesota
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Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York
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September 11, 2013
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Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont
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September 26, 2013
12:00PM - 4:00PM
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Morehouse College
Atlanta, Georgia
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Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
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North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
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November 13, 2013
2:00PM - 5:00PM
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Occidental College
Los Angeles, California
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Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio
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Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
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Providence College
Providence, Rhode Island
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September 30, 2013
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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Reed College
Portland, Oregon
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Rice University
Houston, Texas
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Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
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October 15, 2013
9:30AM - 3:00PM
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Sewanee: University of the South
Sewanee, Tennessee
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Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New York
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Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts
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September 24, 2013
11:00AM - 2:00PM
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Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
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State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, New York
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Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
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Trinity University
San Antonio, Texas
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Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
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September 18, 2013 11:30AM - 2:00PM
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Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana
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October 22, 2013
3:00PM - 5:00PM
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University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
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September 24, 2013
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University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
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University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
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University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
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University of Houston
Houston, Texas
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University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
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University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
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University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
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September 24, 2013
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University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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September 13, 2013
10:00AM - 3:00PM
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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October 24, 2013
TBD
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University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
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University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
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October 23, 2013
10:00AM - 2:00PM
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Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
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Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York
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Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania
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Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania
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Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
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Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts
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September 19, 2013 12:00PM - 3:00PM &
4:00PM - 5:00PM
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Wesleyan University
Middletown, Connecticut
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West Chester University
West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Wheaton College
Norton, Massachusetts
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September 20, 2013
11:00AM - 2:00PM
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Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington
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Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts
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September 25, 2013 11:00AM - 3:00PM
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Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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September 10, 2013
11:00AM - 2:00PM
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Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
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Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
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An Introduction to Tropical Ecology - Winter opportunity!
Winter session: 4 weeks
December 29, 2013 - January 24, 2014
Application Deadline: September 16, 2013
(4 credits awarded by the University of Costa Rica)
 An Introduction to Tropical Ecology is an intensive, four week course in field research and tropical ecology for graduate students. This course uses the highly regarded OTS field approach, which focuses on the formulation of research questions, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and oral and written presentations, all significantly important for a successful research. This course also uses the opportunity to analyze biodiversity conservation issues in the tropics. All the skills will be strengthening through repetitive practice in tropical lowland forest, tropical dry forest, montane forest and the Costarrican páramo.
Students should expect to:
- Do fieldwork using a vast array of tools (GIS, IPM, DNA barcoding, etc.), design and implement statistical analysis (R software)
- Analyze information and develop sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation strategies.
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Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach - Summer opportunity
Summer Session: 6 weeks
June 10 - July 21, 2014
6 credits awarded by the University of Costa Rica
 Learn the theory-use the techniques. Hands-on research experience in plant ecophysiology, microbial ecology, molecular ecology, remote sensing, rapid biodiversity inventories, and other hot topics.- Remedial and advanced statistics, workshops in R, group and individual sessions on experimental design.
- Networking opportunities with experts in biological corridors, payment for environmental services, national parks, carbon neutrality, organic farms, and reforestation.
Early application deadline: November 1, 2013.
Final application deadline: February 3, 2014 followed by Open Enrollment/rolling admission until course is full.
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Tropical Plant Systematics
Summer Session: 5 weeks
June 11 - July 13, 2014
6 credits awarded by the University of Costa Rica
 Offered in even-numbered years, this course emphasizes a strong conceptual foundation in phylogenetic systematics in an intensive field setting. The course travels to diverse habitats around Costa Rica, from cloud forest and paramo to tropical dry forest and Atlantic lowland rain forest. This course is next offered in 2012 (application deadline in March 1, 2012) as it alternates with OTS-18, the Spanish language version of the course which is offered in odd years.
Early application deadline: November 10, 2013.
Final application deadline: February 10, 2014 followed by Open Enrollment/rolling admission until course is full.
Duration: 5 weeks, June 11 - July 13, 2014. Arrive June 10, depart July 14, 2014.
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Conservation Genetics
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Photo by JC Ulate
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This two-week course is oriented towards graduate students with diverse research interests and experiences (e.g. plant, animal; terrestrial, aquatic, etc.). Topics covered include: measurement of genetic diversity and genetic structure, phylogeography, application of molecular data to taxonomic questions, gene flow, mating systems, effective population size estimates, and the application of genetic information for the management and restoration of disturbed landscapes. Students will also obtain fundamental understanding pertinent computer software and will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of available software.
Coordinator: Jim Hamrick (Lab website)
Course duration: 2 weeks (May 24 to June 8, 2014)
Application Deadline: February 3, 2014 for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled.
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Ecology and Evolution of Arachnids
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Photo by J. Staf
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This two-week course is oriented towards graduate students and upper level undergraduates with an interest in arthropods. The course will be held at the La Selva Biological Research Station, Costa Rica. Students will delve into current scientific research and discover the cutting edge questions and approaches implemented by leading arachnologists. Students will also obtain fundamental understanding of arachnid evolution, with a focus on evolutionary relationship among extant and extinct chelicerate groups.
Coordinator: Eileen Hebets (Lab website)
Course duration: 2 weeks (January 3-17, 2014)
Application Deadline:October 1, 2013 for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled.
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New Specialty Courses Coming Soon!
Payment for Ecosystem Services: Putting Theory into Practice in Costa Rica
Coordinator: Dr. Erin Sills (Lab website)
Course duration: 2 weeks (June 15-30, 2014)
Application Deadline: February 3, 2014. for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled.
Monitoring Tropical Forest Dynamics in a Changing Climate
Coordinator: Susan Letcher (Bio), Federico Alice (Universidad Nacional) and Johanna Hurtado (Project TEAM)
Course Duration: 2 weeks (August 2 -15, 2013)
Application deadline: February 3, 2014 for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled.
Wildlife Monitoring using Camera Trapping and Occupancy Data Analysis
Coordinator: Manuel Spinola (Universidad Nacional), Jorge Ahumada, and Johanna Hurtado.
Course duration: 2 weeks (July 21-31, 2014)
Application deadline: February 3, 2014 for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled.
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Employment Opportunities
The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is seeking applicants for several positions. Qualifications vary by position and application instructions can be found on our website.
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OTS Seeks New NAPIRE Program Coordinator
 The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is currently seeking applicants for a Program Coordinator to oversee the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NAPIRE) Program at the Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica. The NAPIRE Program, beginning its ninth year in 2014, provides research opportunities for 20 students from the colleges and universities that are part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation. Each student works under the close supervision of a research mentor to complete an independent summer research project. The program also visits various indigenous communities throughout Costa Rica, and offers students introductory workshops in scientific research and statistics while visiting the La Selva Biological Station. More information about the program is available at ots.ac.cr/napire.
Successful applicants should be patient and self-motivated team players, as they will work closely with the NAPIRE Co-Coordinator, OTS Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs, OTS Education Director, 2 Teaching Assistants, and the NAPIRE mentors to design and implement the summer research program for a unique group of students. The NAPIRE Program Coordinator will oversee student recruitment and selection, continue work with NSF LSAMP program directors to hold workshops and design materials regarding best practices for mentoring and training students from Native American and Pacific Islander groups, and will be responsible for on-site supervision and coordination of program activities.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in biology, ecology, conservation biology or a related field
- Professional experience in teaching field biology
- Professional experience in supervision of undergraduate field research
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Experience in teaching Native American and Pacific Island students
- Bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Native American and Pacific Island faculty are strongly encouraged to apply
The position is a 1-year contract with an anticipated start date in September 2013. The position requires the coordinator to travel throughout the US and possibly to pacific islands for recruitment purposes at certain dates between September and November, and to be in Costa Rica for 1-week workshops in January and April and for the summer program from early June to early August. The remainder of the year, the responsibilities of the position can be filled from any location in the Americas. The contract is renewable each year, depending on funding and performance. Any questions about the program should be directed to undergradprograms@ots.ac.cr.
To apply: send CV, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of mentoring philosophy, statement of research interests, lists of references, and a cover letter describing your fit and interest in the position as a single document via the OTS website or to rechum@ots.ac.cr.
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