UNF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Coastal Biology
Starting in 2013, the University of North Florida became one of the newest host sites for the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The UNF REU Program offers paid research training experiences in Coastal Biology to 10 undergraduate students during a 10-week period between late May and late July. REU participants are paired with Coastal Biologists at UNF, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) and conduct mentored research projects related to their advisor’s expertise. Prior to this, students complete a 1-week orientation to performing research in Coastal Biology to prepare them for their directed research projects. Students also gain experience in science communication by presenting the results of their project at a departmental-wide research poster mini-symposium. Participants attend research seminars and workshops on career skills in science. Students may also have the opportunity to present their research findings at professional conferences.
Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Science's located in Arlington, VA. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.
- About the UNF REU Program
- Apply for the UNF REU Program
- Research mentors and projects for the 2025 UNF REU Program
About the UNF REU Program
Overview
Beginning in 2013, the University of North Florida became one of the newest host sites for the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The UNF REU Program offers paid research training experiences in Coastal Biology to 10 undergraduate students during a 10-week period from late May-late July. REU participants are paired with Coastal Biologists at UNF and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) and conduct mentored research projects related to their advisor’s expertise. Prior to this, students will complete a 1-week orientation on performing research in Coastal Biology to prepare them for their directed research projects. Students will also gain experience in science communication by presenting the results of their project at a departmental-wide research poster mini-symposium. Participants will attend research seminars and workshops on career skills in science. Students may also have the opportunity to present their research findings at professional conferences.
Dates
May 19-July 25, 2025
Eligibility
To be eligible for the UNF REU Program, students must be:
- U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its possessions
- Enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate degree.
- Available for the full duration of the program (some exceptions possible)
Freshman- and Sophomore-level science students and students from minority groups underrepresented in science (African Americans, Latinos and Hispanics, Native Americans, Native Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan Natives) are especially encouraged to apply!
Stipends, travel and housing information
Students participating in the UNF REU Program receive:
- $5,500 stipend over the 10-week period
- Free housing in a UNF dormitory and meals
- Support for travel expenses between UNF and their home institution
Application
2025 Online Application Link
About UNF
UNF is a 40-year old, comprehensive public university situated on ~1,300 acres of scenic timberland located 7 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and 12 miles southeast of the urban setting of downtown Jacksonville, FL. Because of its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns River, and the GTMNERR, UNF is uniquely suited to serve as a base for contemporary research in Coastal Biology.
Questions?
Email your questions to REU@unf.edu with the subject heading “UNF REU Program”.
Note: This REU Site is funded by the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, and the cognizant Program Director for all OCE-funded REU sites is Lisa Rom at elrom@NSF.gov or (703) 292-7709. Since the application deadline for the UNF REU Program fall after March 15th, this rule is not applicable to this program, and is only stated here for informational purposes. Questions regarding the application and/or selection process for the UNF REU Program should be sent directly to REU@unf.edu not NSF.
Apply for the UNF REU Program
Applicants for the UNF REU Program will need to complete an online application form. In addition to this form, students must also submit the following items, preferably in one email (excluding recommendation letters).
- A one- to two-page resume or curriculum vitae describing any relevant jobs, internships, volunteer work, scholarships and/or other activities that you have held or participated in and other skills or accomplishments that you wish to identify.
- A one- to two-page Statement of Interest describing your interests and career goals, the reasons why you hope to be selected for the program, how participation in the program will influence your career development, and the top two mentors that you hope to work with and why.
- An electronic copy of your current college transcript. UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE PREFERRED.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals capable of commenting in your academic qualifications. Letters of recommendation MUST be sent from the person writing the letter, preferably via email to REU@unf.edu either as an attachment or within the body of the email.
The deadline for applications is March 16, 2025
Research mentors and projects for the 2025 UNF REU Program
Check back regularly. More REU mentors will be added shortly!
Nikki Dix, GTM NERR
Dr. Dix is off campus at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (www.gtmnerr.org) where she serves as Research Director. The research program at GTMNERR includes long-term monitoring of weather, water quality, plankton, and coastal habitats (salt marshes, mangroves, and oyster reefs). The selected REU student will learn about all of those programs and conduct a related research project designed to inform conservation efforts. Potential projects include examining phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure in relation to environmental conditions and investigating the influence of mangroves growing on oyster reefs.Dr. Jim Gelsleichter, Shark Biology, Physiology, and Ecotoxicology
Dr. Gelsleichter's research program focuses on population ecology, reproductive biology, and ecotoxicology of fish, particularly sharks and their relatives. REU students working with Dr. Gelsleichter will conduct research projects focused on a diverse number of topics such as shark abundance in northeast Florida waters, the roles of gonadal steroids in shark sexual differentiation, stress responses in sharks, reproductive effects of methylmercury, and the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico fishes.
Dr. Quincy Gibson, Dolphin Population Dynamics
Dr. Gibson's research is focused on the behavioral ecology of marine mammals, with an emphasis on social complexity and population dynamics. REU students working with Dr. Gibson participate in weekly boat-based photo-identification and behavioral surveys of estuarine bottlenose dolphins in the St. Johns River (SJR). Past student's projects have examined the link between female dolphin sociality and reproductive success, the impact of a large-scale unusual mortality event on SJR dolphins, and the prevalence of skin lesions as a non-invasive indicator of dolphin health.
Dr. Matt Gilg, Evolutionary Genetics
Dr. Gilg’s research program focuses on exploring the genetic basis of traits important for response to climate change, invasive species management and the evolutionary implications of hybridization. REU students working with Dr. Gilg will conduct research projects focused on tolerance of coral species to stressors like elevated temperature and light intensity, the genetic diversity of introduced species of marine mussels, or the role habitat plays in hybridization of local killifish species.
Dr. Laura Habegger, Functional morphology and biomechanics in fishes
Dr. Habegger is a functional morphologist interested in understanding how form affects the function of a variety of structural components in vertebrates, particularly fishes. Her research interests are wide ranging from the estimation of bite forces among marine top marine predators to the elucidation of the osteological composition and formation of extreme skull adaptations. Students working with Dr. Habegger will be involved in different projects ranging from understanding the role of scleral ossicles in the eye of fishes, working with shark skin, the biomechanics of vertebra of fast-moving fishes and bite force estimations in top predators. All these research topics will involve various techniques including dissections, histology, computer tomography, 3D printing as well as field work to obtain samples.
Dr. Scott Jones, Coastal Wetland Plant Ecology
Dr. Jones' research explores coastal wetland responses to global change and how plants influence ecosystem function. REU students working with Dr. Jones will conduct projects focused on plant-mediated carbon cycling in salt marshes and mangroves; freshwater wetland responses to salinity intrusion; or the role of landscape gradients on coastal wetland resilience to sea-level rise.
Dr. Cliff Ross, Seagrass Wasting Disease
Dr. Ross’ research program broadly assesses the effects of environmental stressors on the biology of marine seagrasses, corals and algae. REU students working with Dr. Ross will conduct research projects associated with seagrass wasting disease. Globally, seagrass bed coverage continues to decline due to a number of factors including infection and disease (which surprisingly is not very well studied). Students will learn cellular and molecular methods that will be used to better understand the infection and defense dynamics in seagrass-pathogen systems.
Dr. Frank Smith, Tardigrade Evolution
The Smith Lab focuses on the evolution and development of Tardigrada. Research projects focus on understanding the origin and diversification of the tripartite gut, legs, and segmentation. Students that work in the lab investigate the embryonic expression patterns and functions of developmental genes in the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris. Students will practice cutting edge techniques such as Hybridization Chain Reaction in situ, RNA interference, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to over 2000 animals and the Animal Wellness and Research team which conducts welfare and wellbeing related research to ensure that animals residing at the zoo are given opportunities to thrive. REU student projects will focus on the behavior and wellbeing of one or more coastal species, in which they will have the opportunity to learn a number of skills including the use of behavioral (e.g. ZooMonitor) and statistical (e.g. R Studio) software. Students will also have the opportunity to contribute to other research projects focused on a diverse number of species ranging from apes and rhinos to snakes and stingrays.
SEZARC
The South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation is dedicated to increasing populations of rare and endangered species through reproductive science. SEZARC scientists perform reproductive health assessments, develop breeding plans, and conduct investigative research for zoo and aquarium species throughout the United States. Projects for this program will focus on enzyme immunoassay of biological samples from nurse sharks, zebra sharks, sand tiger sharks, manta rays or other elasmobranch species to better understand their reproductive biology and to support natural and assisted reproduction programs. We plan to include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the validation process for those assays. The student will be based at our laboratory in the Biology building at UNF.