Amazing Research Opportunity for Young Anole Aficionados

Anolis smaragdinus is one of the species that participants in Bob Powell's REU program are likely to encounter on their trip to Eleuthera this Summer. Photo by Jonathan Losos

Are you an undergraduate student with dreams of traveling to the Caribbean to study lizards? If so, your dream could be realized through the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program organized by Bob Powell at Avila University. Now in its 10th iteration, Bob’s program has provided nearly 100 students with opportunities to conduct research in places like the Dominican Republic, Anguilla, Grenada, St. Eustatius, St. Vincent, Dominica and the Grenadines. I can tell you from personal experience – I was a participant in 1995 – that Bob’s program is among the best of its kind. Students in Bob’s REU get a complete research experience, from personal instruction on how to find and read the primary literature to supervised preparation of research for publication. Just about everyone who participates in Bob’s program comes out with one or more publications. This summer’s REU will involve field work on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, which is home to four species of anoles! Applications are due by February 15th.