Engage in the research and the application of plants and soil to impact food production and the environment
For information contact
Who should apply
Related fields
- Plant Breeding
- Plant Production and Management
- Rangeland Ecology
- Soil Management
- Environmental Sciences
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Technology
- Environmental Horticulture
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
See Eligibility for more information.
How to apply
Follow the application steps to submit the following materials.
About the Program
The goal of this program is to prepare students with both knowledge and skills necessary to address the grand challenges of food production and the environment. Participating students will conduct a summer experiential internship related to his or her career interests and goals, choosing from a variety of programs in the applied plant, soil, and environmental sciences available through a network of collaborators. The students will also work with their program peers and a team of faculty mentors to engage in activities related to teamwork, decision making, systems thinking, and translating their summer work into learning objects for science literacy.
Stipend is $5000, plus $1000 for translating summer experience into learning objects working with UNL science literacy team.
See more at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/applied-plant-systems
Benefits
- Competitive stipend: $6,000
- Suite-style room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Learn more about academic and financial benefits.
Events
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- Outdoor adventures
- Research symposium
Mentors and Projects
Dr. Stacy Adams Agronomy and Horticulture
Hydroponics as a food production system
Introduce, explore, and experience hydroponics as a food production system for urban agriculture and develop educational outreach materials.
Dr. Nicolas Cafaro La Menza Agronomy and Horticulture
On-farm research experiments
Work with soybean producers in on-farm research experiments examining nitrogen fertilizer application or explore best agronomic practice for winter peas in western Nebraska via field experiments.
Dr. Silvia C. Córdova Martinez Agronomy and Horticulture
Predicting soil carbon trajectories in agricultural systems
Students will participate in a project assessing a suite of indicators to predict soil carbon trajectories in agricultural systems.
Dr. Aaron Daigh Agronomy and Horticulture
Water quality in agricultural landscapes
The work will focus on water quality and vadose zone processes in agricultural landscapes to protect the quality of major aquifer.
Dr Lisa Durso Agronomy and Horticulture
Nutrient levels and antibiotic resistance in soils
Students will participate in projects examining the relationship between nutrient levels and antibiotic resistance in soils.
Dr. Katherine Frels Agronomy and Horticulture
Resistance in grain quality traits
Students will participate in activities related to disease resistance screening, pest resistance, fall drought tolerance, and phenomic selection for grain quality traits.
Dr Terri James Agronomy and Horticulture
The Backyard Farmer Garden
The Backyard Farmer Garden is an outdoor public garden on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Students can apply knowledge in controlled situations in this outdoor environment. Extension programming happens within this space and through multiple media platforms focusing on integrated pest management.
Dr. Amit Jhala Agronomy and Horticulture
Reproductive biology of weeds
Evaluate the reproductive biology of weeds and confirm, characterize, and manage herbicide-resistant weeds in agronomic crops in Nebraska. In addition to participating in this research, students will also participate in extension activities.
Dr. Virginia Jin Agronomy and Horticulture
Soil greenhouse gas emissions
Measure and evaluate soil greenhouse gas emissions from conventional and alternative management systems used for food and biofuel production.
Dr. Marty Schmer Agronomy and Horticulture, USDA-ARS Research Agronomist
Sustainable cropping systems
The students will be engaged in sustainable cropping systems and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from different management systems.
Laura Thompson Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Digital technologies and production systems of contemporary agriculture
Engage in research and extension activities conducted through UNL’s Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. The students will select a project from a broad range of topics and learn about the digital technologies and production systems of contemporary agriculture.
Dr. Daniel Uden Agronomy and Horticulture
Rangeland ecology and management experiments
Participate in a collaborative adaptive management project at UNL’s Barta Brothers Ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills. The students will collaboratively design and implement rangeland ecology and management experiments with stakeholders and monitor ecological, economic, and social variables.
Jennifer Weisbrod Agronomy and Horticulture
Integrated pest management
The students will work on projects related to integrated pest management, pesticide safety, human health, pesticide risk, agrochemical water contamination, and public outreach.
Dr. Sam Wortman Agronomy and Horticulture
Novel production systems and technologies
The students will contribute to research and development of novel production systems and technologies that reduce labor and plastic waste and increase water and nitrogen efficiency on urban food production.