The Applied Coastal Ecology (ACE) lab conducts collaborative research and outreach focused on the transition zone between land and sea. They examine biotic and abiotic processes underlying cross-habitat interactions. Research ranges from: examining organism movement and nutrient/energy flow among terrestrial, coastal, and sub-tidal systems; quantifying effects of human disturbance to one system (e.g., mangroves forests, terrestrial watersheds) on function and community composition of downstream ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs, sub-tidal rocky habitat); identifying distribution and effects of emerging contaminants on species and communities; and understanding socio-ecological coastal systems such as marine reserves and coastal communities. They work with partners to conduct applied research relevant to management and policy aimed at conserving marine communities, ecosystem processes, and biodiversity.
The goal of this project is to assist graduate student research projects examining microplastics concentrations and types in stormwater, river water, fish tissue, as well as washing machine and dryer vent filters. This will include primarily lab work, with a potential opportunity for limited field work on the Oregon Coast. Specific current projects in the lab include examining microplastic load in stormwater and wastewater, examining microplastics in washing machine filters to test the effectiveness of wastewater intervention strategies to reduce microplastics entering our waterways; examining microplastics in larval and juvenile hatchery-reared Chinook salmon, and experimentally testing the effects of microfiber exposure on juvenile salmon.
The intern will assist with sample processing including steps of the microplastic analysis process, contributing to education and outreach materials, and possibly lab work with live juvenile salmon. They will gain experience with laboratory protocols and will complete the internship with an expanded knowledge of microplastic contamination in riverine and coastal environments. This is a part-time in-person internship, with the expectation that the intern will work at least 200 hours over the course of the summer.
To learn more, visit https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/acelab.
PSU Disability Services
It is University policy to grant reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their needs as soon as they receive acceptance of this ASE position. After acceptance, please also provide a letter of accommodations from PSU Disability Services (http://www.pdx.edu/drc/).
PSU Diversity Statement
Respect for cultural and human biological diversity are core concepts at PSU. Each voice has something of value to contribute to a discussion. PSU is committed to diversity, and welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, citizenship, disability, education, ethnicity, family status, gender, gender identity, geographical location, language, military experience, political views, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and work experience (See https://www.pdx.edu/sphr/diversity-statement).
We strongly encourage students to apply who are from one or more systemically and historically excluded group, including but not limited to, non-cis-gendered students, girls, BIPOC, first-generation college-bound students, low-income/low-resourced students, students with disabilities, students who are neurodivergent, and those who speak a primary language other than English.
If you have any questions about the application, website technical issues and/or this position description, please contact Saturday Academy at ase@saturdayacademy.org. Do not contact the mentor directly. Contacting the mentor directly is grounds for disqualification of your ASE application.