SUNY 4E (Energy, Environment, Economics, Education) Network of Excellence Undergraduate Research Summer Scholars Program

SUNY 4E (Energy, Environment, Economics, Education) Network of Excellence
                             Undergraduate Research
                            Summer Scholars Program

                                 Application Deadline: February 16, 2015
                           Term Period: (approximately) May 2015 – August 2015

BACKGROUND
The vision of the Energy, Environment, Education and Economics Network of Excellence (SUNY 4E) is to bring
together faculty and facilities across SUNY in partnership with key academic institutions, the private sector and
national labs, in unparalleled transdisciplinary teams that lead the nation and the world in key transformative research
areas that have a broad, positive and lasting impact on society. SUNY 4E focuses on research areas related to
energy and the environment with associated economic considerations and the enhancement of educational
opportunities across the SUNY system and beyond.

PROGRAM FOCUS
With funding provided by the Research Foundation, the SUNY 4E Summer Scholars Program was created to attract
undergraduates with aptitude in the sciences and engineering to participate in research related to energy and the
environment. The program will give talented SUNY undergraduates a summer research experience in a research
laboratory during the summer of 2015 at the University at Albany, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, and
SUNY ESF.

The Summer Scholars Program is a ten week program that spans approximately the end of May through beginning of
August 2014. Specific dates of the program at each site are set by the site’s host. Students are placed in research
laboratories in which they will perform research supporting SUNY 4E faculty.

PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE:
    Stipend: $3,500
    Housing allowance available

REQUIREMENTS:
    Applicants must be presently enrolled in a SUNY institution and have completed four semesters of college.
      (Preference will be given to applicants in their Junior year at the time of application.)
    Underrepresented minority students are encouraged to apply
    A brief personal statement in which the student discusses the reasons he/she wishes to participate in the
      program
    A copy of the student’s undergraduate transcripts
    A confidential letter of recommendation from a professor or other professional (sent directly from the
      recommender) that discusses the student’s potential for a research career

                                                           1

    Ranking of top four research locations from opportunities listed on the following pages

TIMELINE
Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by February 16, 2015.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their acceptance by March 9, 2015.

TO APPLY:
Please go to the following link to apply for the SUNY 4E Summer Scholars Program:
https://www.grantinterface.com/rfsuny/Common/LogOn.aspx

You will be prompted to create an account, for which your first name, last name, email address, and mailing address
will be requested. Once you’ve created your account, you may click on the ‘Apply’ link under the ‘Requests’ tab on
the left-hand side of the screen. To access the SUNY 4E Summer Scholars Program application, enter the code
“4ESUMMER” into the access code box.

RESEARCH LABS
Descriptions and locations of the opportunities that are available in 2015 program are listed on the following pages.
Applicants are required to select their top four choices in the online application. Placements of applicants will be
based upon the applicant’s background and expressed interest, in addition to availability at 2015 sites.

QUESTIONS
For further information, please contact Angela Wright at Angela.wright@rfsuny.org or (518) 434-7061.

                                                           2

University at Albany

Dr. Junhong (June) Wang
Department of Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
University at Albany, SUNY
1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222
Jwang20@albany.edu
518-442-3478
Fax: 518-442-5825

Title: Validating Satellite Data for Hurricane Research Using a Long-Term (1996-2012), High-Quality, High Vertical
Resolution GPS Dropsonde Dataset

Project Description: Hurricane is one of the most devastating extreme weather/climate phenomena threatening the
United States. Satellite data play an important role in monitoring and predicting tropical cyclones (TCs) as a result of
lack of in-situ data over the ocean. However, due to the exact same reason, satellite data over the ocean are not well
calibrated and validated. GPS dropsondes have been routinely deployed during hurricane reconnaissance and
surveillance flights to help predict hurricane tracks and intensity. A long-term (1996-2012), high-quality, high vertical
resolution (~5-15 m) GPS dropsonde dataset was created from NOAA Hurricane flights and consists of 13,681
atmospheric profiles for 120 TCs (Wang et al. 2014). Such a dataset with high quality and large samples would
enable us to find enough matches with satellite overpasses and then evaluate the performance of satellite data
around TCs. This project has the following specific objectives: (1) to compare the temperature and humidity data from
the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite with the dropsonde data, (2) to understand the
discrepancies between AIRS and dropsonde, (3) to document the strength and weakness of AIRS data in the TC
environment, and (4) to study the characteristics of hurricane thermodynamic structures using the AIRS data by
taking into account its strength and weakness. A RF Summer Scholar will be involved in this laboratory’s ongoing
research program.

Wang, J., K. Young, T. Hock, D. Lauritsen, D. Behringer, M. Black, P. G. Black, J. Franklin, J. Halverson, J. Molinari,
L. Nguyen, T. Reale, J. Smith, B. Sun, Q. Wang and J. Zhang, 2014: A Long-Term, High-quality, High Vertical
Resolution GPS Dropsonde Dataset for Hurricane and Other Studies. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., in press.

Brian E. J. Rose
Assistant Professor
Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
University at Albany
Earth Sciences 315
(518) 442-4477
http://www.atmos.albany.edu/facstaff/brose/

Title: Climate and Climate Change at the Global Scale

Project Description: This placement is in the laboratory of Dr. Brian Rose, Assistant Professor, Atmospheric and
Environmental Sciences at the University at Albany. Dr. Rose is a theoretical climatologist. His group studies climate
and climate change at the global scale using mathematical and numerical models of the atmosphere and ocean.
They investigate fundamental questions about how the global climate works as a system. Dr. Rose is particularly
interested in how the transport of heat by ocean currents affects both the rate and intensity of climate change. He
also studies ocean-sea ice interactions and their role in some of the large climate changes of the geological past. An

                                                           3

undergraduate scholar in this group would have the opportunity to set up, run, and analyze global climate simulations
in a high-performance computing environment. She or he would also have the opportunity to contribute to an
ongoingproject developing interactive educational modules on climate science and climate modeling. There would be
ample opportunity to learn scientific computing skills while getting an introduction to a fascinating and very active field
of scientific research. The student would also be immersed in a research-intensive department. The team has a large
and friendly cohort of graduate students who will be active over the summer. Dr. Rose anticipates an immersive,
stimulating and fun experience for a 4E-funded summer scholar in his group.

Binghamton University

Wayne Jones
Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry
Binghamton University
wjones@binghamton.edu

Title: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in the area of Smart Energy

Project Description: This placement provides the opportunity for one or more students to participate in lab research
for nine weeks during the 2015 summer on projects ranging from advanced battery electrode materials and
nanomaterials for super capacitors, to thin films for advanced solar cells and photovoltaics. The faculty involved
include chemistry, physics, materials, mechanical engineering, bioengineering, electrical engineering, and systems
science and industrial engineering. Students will have the opportunity to connect with a robust program of
coordination with campus’s NSF REU-funded smart energy program through activities including research methods,
ethics, professional development, and opportunities for presentation

Kanad Ghose
Professor and Chair
Department of Computer Science
Binghamton University
ghose@cs.binghamton.edu

Title: Research Opportunity in Area of Energy-Smart Electronic Systems

Project Description: The Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems, a National Science Foundation
Industry/University Cooperative Research Center at Binghamton University (ES2) works in partnership with
government, industry and academia to develop systematic methodologies for efficiently operating electronic systems,
including data centers, by controlling resources and managing workloads to achieve optimal energy consumption.
Binghamton University faculty, affiliated with ES2 are interested in hosting an undergraduate student, at the Junior
level, during the summer 2015 to work in this exciting area. Students from the fields of computer science or
mechanical engineering are encouraged to apply. The student will have the opportunity to connect with a robust
program of coordination with campus’s NSF REU-funded smart energy program through activities including research
methods, ethics, professional development, and opportunities for presentation.

                                                            4

University at Buffalo

Hao Zeng
Professor
University at Buffalo
225 Fronczak Hall
Department of Physics
University at Buffalo, SUNY
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716)645-2946

Title: Fundamental Understanding of Spin and Magnetic Properties in Nanostructures

Project Description:The research objective of this group is fundamental understanding of spin and magnetic
properties in nanostructures. To achieve this goal, they are working on three broadly defined areas: a) Nanostructure
synthesis/fabrication. The approaches include chemical synthesis, vapor phase growth and thin film deposition; b)
Device fabrication. They combine bottom-up self-assembly with top-down lithography (both optical and e-beam
lithography) to fabricate charge transport devices; and c) Magnetism and spin dependent charge transport studies.
The research is strongly driven by potential applications. The team is particularly interested in nanoscale magnetic
materials for advanced permanent magnets used in electric cars and wind turbines, magnetic data storage and bio-
medicine. A Summer Scholar will spend the summer 2015 involved in ongoing research in the laboratory.

Alan J. Rabideau
Professor of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260
716-645-4003
rabideau@buffalo.edu
www.erie.buffalo.edu

Title: The Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE) Program

Project Description: The ERIE Program at the University at Buffalo (UB) is hosting a Research Experience for
Undergraduates (REU) in ecosystem restoration, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). For 10 weeks
over the summer, students in the ERIE-REU participate in research projects in one of many collaborative,
interdisciplinary research initiatives at UB. Research projects are both laboratory and field oriented and focus on either
1) ecosystem restoration; or 2) engineering for sustainability. A list of faculty mentors and research project examples
are available at: http://www.erie.buffalo.edu/REU.php. Students have the opportunity to participate in field trips and
social outings exploring restoration projects and the environmental history of the western New York and lower Great
Lakes Region. Participation in the NSF-supported program is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and
students must be enrolled as undergraduate students in a college program through the fall semester of the following
year (graduating seniors are ineligible). However, a number of students participate through other funding mechanisms,
including the 4E Summer Scholars Program, which may also include non-citizens. Most successful applicants have
completed their junior year of study, although well-qualified sophomores are encouraged to apply. The ERIE-REU runs
from May 27 through August 7, 2015. All eligible undergraduate students interested in environmental/civil/chemical

                                                            5

engineering, biology, chemistry, geology, environmental science, or geography are encouraged to apply.

SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry

Philippe Vidon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management
320 Bray (mail), 309 Bray (office)
SUNY ESF
1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210.
pgvidon@esf.edu
315-470-4765
www.esf.edu/fnrm/faculty/vidon.htm

Title: The Integrated Water-System of the Great Lakes Region: Its Condition and Challenges for the Future

Project Description: Water resources affect the economy and energy sectors in New York and beyond. However,
although water resources are abundant in the State, extreme weather patterns (drought, excessive wetness, storms)
and increasing pressures from agriculture and urbanization can cause economic and environmental damages
throughout the State. Understanding the linkages and sensitivity of the water-energy-economy nexus to extreme
weather patterns and demographic changes is critical for the State to sustainably adapt to climate change and
increase its resiliency to extreme events in the coming years. Using Lake Ontario watersheds as a starting point
toward a larger New York State wide effort, we will build a database linking key water, energy, and economy data to
analyze how these watersheds respond to extreme weather patterns and determine how their responses ripple
through the water-economy-energy nexus. The undergraduate student intern would be involved in the project
activities and should have an interest in learning how to construct and manage a relational geodatabase
(PostgreSQL) incorporating biophysical, climatological, and social information related to Great Lakes water
resources, and work with the project team to develop and interpret preliminary analyses. A student with some
experience with database management, GIS and ideally in writing SQL queries would be most suitable. The student
would be primarily affiliated with either the Environmental Resources Engineering Department (ERE) or the Forest
and Natural Resources Department (FNRM) at ESF. Question about the position should be directed to Dr. Philippe
Vidon (FNRM)(pgvidon@esf.edu).

Paul Hirsch, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy
Department of Environmental Studies, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 470-6669
http://www.esf.edu/es/faculty/hirsch.asp
blog: http://conflictandcollaboration.wordpress.com/author/pdhirsch/

Title: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Communication in Complex Socio-ecological Systems

Project Description: As part of the project “Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Communication in Complex
Socio-ecological Systems: An Integrative Approach to Interdisciplinary Research, Policy Translation, and Educational
Application” we are interested in hosting an undergraduate student at SUNY ESF as a 2015 summer scholar.
Currently, our research team is collecting data on the barriers to communication and collaboration experienced by

                                                         6

interdisciplinary research teams in SUNY through an online survey and series of interviews. This data will directly
inform the development of recommendations and strategies to overcome identified barriers, with a direct focus on the
identification and training of facilitative leaders who can navigate barriers and promote authentic collaboration across
disciplines. Two strategies for increasing the number of facilitative leaders engaged in interdisciplinary research
collaborations are 1) targeted training workshops (planned for Spring 2015) and 2) exposing undergraduate students
to interdisciplinary research experiences and best practices for participating in this type of research. Working with PI
Paul Hirsch, the summer scholar will extend our work on training of facilitative leaders with a focus on developing a
curriculum that would train undergraduates in the skills needed to be a facilitative leader, and make policy
recommendations for building this program across SUNY.

                                                           7

SUNY Brain and SUNY 4E Summer Scholars Programs

                                How to access the application

1. Visit: https://www.grantinterface.com/Common/LogOn.aspx?eqs=ph_BjRFP96v7pK3S5uUjYg2
2. Create and account and/or log in.

3. Click Apply.

4. Enter BNESUMMER or 4ESUMMER in the Access Code box and click Enter.

                                             8

5. Click the link that appears to open the application. Depending on your settings, you may need to cut and
   paste the link it into a new browser.

                                                   9