Undergraduate research in white-footed mouse biology and tick ecology

Dr. Machtinger is looking for an ambitious undergraduate interested in completing their own research project. This project will be looking at tick abundance on white-footed mice in central Pennsylvania, infection status of mice and ticks, free questing ticks around mouse trap sites, immune status of white-footed mice with and without ticks, and potential collection of odors association with mice without ticks and mice with ticks. This project will require a student to be committed April through August at minimum, and will require intense field work May - July. Upon successful completion, the student will have an opportunity to be a first author or co-author (depending on level of commitment) on a scientific paper. This project is purely voluntary, but all training and supplies will be provided. The undergraduate will also have opportunities to participate in other projects, if desired, including collaring and testing of American black bears, parasitoid sampling, colony rearing, and other projects and duties.

The student must be able to work alone, work diligently and be detailed oriented, be reliable, work early mornings and late afternoons in the heat, and can't be afraid of mice, ticks, or other wildlife commonly encountered in central Pennsylvania. If interested, please submit an unofficial copy of your transcript, a current CV or resume, a one-page cover letter/description of why you are interested in this project, availability (in terms of start date and work hours), and contact information for two references in one package in word or adobe with the subject header: Yourname: undergraduate research project. Please contact Dr. Machtinger if you have any questions etm10@psu.edu.