10th Iteration of NAPIRE: An Amazing Success Story 

Summer 2014 marked the tenth iteration of OTS's Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience Program (NAPIRE) in Costa Rica. NAPIRE is funded by the NSF's Louise Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program. Each year, approximately twenty Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students conduct original field ecology research at the Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica.  

This summer's students represent accredited academic institutions from all over the United States and the Pacific Islands, including such far-flung places as Alaska, Guam, and Micronesia. Student research topics covered topics such leaf litter organisms and ecology, stream ecology, plant-animal interactions, and animal behavior and ecology. In addition to being guided by Ph.D. Research Mentors on ecological research projects, the students also visited three indigenous groups in Costa Rica and had many opportunities to learn more about Costa Rica's culture and history. An interesting addition to this year's programming was a weekly Stories We Tell session in which students, mentors, and staff describe their experiences and impressions from their adventures during the Program.

This fall, many NAPIRE students and some mentors will be attending national conferences, such as SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Hispanics, Chicanos, and Native Americans in Science) and AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) to present the results of their research and reconnect with their new friends.  

We are already actively recruiting students and mentors for the 2015 NAPIRE Program. NAPIRE Student Award recipients covers the cost of room, board and travel to and from Costa Rica. Students also receive funds to help cover costs of field equipment and a $4000 stipend. If you are interested in learning more or applying for a student internship or to serve as a mentor, please visit our website ots.ac.cr/napire or send an email to the Program coordinator at barbara@dugelby.com

Program Flyer     

Summer 2015: June 11-August 6, 2015

Application Deadline: February 15, 2015

Click here to learn more about becoming a Mentor