Program Details

Global Experience in Research for Undergraduates in Food Security in Kenya, Africa

Overview

Students will be required to attend a mandatory virtual orientation for one week before departure to Kenya for an intensive boot camp on safety, ethics and the responsible conduct of research, the history and culture of Kenya, and basic scientific principles to prepare for the research project. The next 8 weeks are dedicated to research at Egerton University and University of Nairobi (Kenya) followed by a concluding week at BSU where students present the results of their research. Students will learn how research is conducted, analyzed, and communicated. Many will present the results of their work at scientific conferences, and some will publish the results in peer-reviewed journals.

Research

Research focuses on the genetic, physiological, and ecological mechanisms that underlie crop responses in a changing environment with a goal towards food security.

Eligibility

This is a federally-funded program and requires that student participants be:

• At least 18 years old by June 1, 2024.
• U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents of the U.S. or its territories.
• Students in good standing at an undergraduate degree program who will not have graduated by the end of this REU program.
• 3.0 GPA or higher.

Program Dates

June 1, 2024 to July  30, 2024 

Selection

Recruitment and participant selection will focus on students with outstanding research potential with special emphasis on students from underrepresented groups from schools with limited research opportunities.

Applying

Application Dates

September 2023 to March 15, 2024

Application Packet

Fill out the electronic application and include the requested documents by the deadline, March 15, 2024.

Letter(s) of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor, or project/research mentor although two letters are preferred. Please ask your letter-writer to email their letter to aosano@bowiestate.edu and copy undergradresearch@bowiestate.edu with GE REU somewhere in the subject line. Each applicant will be contacted soon after the application deadline.

Visa Matters and Passports

Students will be required to obtain passports for the international travels which they will be responsible for including the expenses. Visas must be obtained before any travel plans can be completed. It takes approximately one month for visa issuance after receipt of documentation.

Living and Dining Arrangements

The students will be housed at the La Maison Hotel. The hotel is very secure with 24-hour security and is a walking distance to the University of Nairobi, Chiromo campus where the students will be based at the College of Biological and Physical Sciences. The hotel has complementary free internet and Wi-Fi facilities with rooms which have air conditioning and are well sprayed against insects, especially mosquitoes. At Egerton University, the students will be accommodated at the ARC hotel, a 3-star hotel on campus, which also has Wi-Fi facilities. Both hotels have shuttles.

Kenyan Cuisine

Food is guaranteed to be different from what students are used to but they will be encouraged to experiment and enjoy some of the world’s best cuisine. While adjusting, include some familiar foods, Kenya has many restaurants that serve American food.

Stipend/support

All student participants who complete the program will receive a $600 per week REU stipend. Lodging/room and all travel costs for the program are also covered by the NSF REU.

For more information, contact PI, Dr Anne Osano: aosano@bowiestate.edu, phone 301 860 3368.