Conservation Biodiversity Internship and Fellowship Program

Students Win Awards at Regional Meeting

Congratulations to two undergraduate research students from Rhodes College who won awards at the Western Regional Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Sciences on March 31. Kimber Jones, who has been involved with research at the Memphis Zoo since 2009, won 1st place in the poster competition for her poster presentation "Analysis of behavior and spatial preferences in snow leopards (Uncia uncia)." Sarah Ferguson, who has conducted research at the Memphis Zoo since May 2011, won 2nd place in the Environmental Science division for her talk "Activity budgets of two captive red pandas at the Memphis Zoo." Both presentations were coauthored by Andy Kouba (Memphis Zoo) and Sarah Boyle (Rhodes College). Congratulations, Kimber and Sarah!

In 2001, the Memphis Zoological Society teamed up with multiple universities and colleges in the regional mid-south area to develop a progressive program designed to facilitate and support opportunities in wildlife research and environmental science for undergraduate, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows. The program facilitates the development of innovative, research-based, undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral education and training activities that will produce a diverse group of new conservation scientists well-prepared for a broad spectrum of career opportunities.

The Memphis Zoo is a neighbor to Rhodes College, and we have been fortunate to work with many Rhodes students as part of our internship program. Click here to read an example of the great success we've had with this relationship.

In the spring we seek well-qualified junior-senior level biology undergraduate students or recent graduates as candidates for the summer Conservation Biodiversity Internship Program.  This program offers a unique undergraduate experience in conservation biology that can provide optional academic credit at the intern’s educational institution and be beneficial for professional careers in the biological or veterinary sciences, conservation, and other related fields. Available positions and application instructions are generally posted in March-April for the following summer on the Zoo’s Job Opportunities page.

Aspects of the Conservation Biodiversity Internship include the following:

1. Conduct a hands-on research project in biodiversity conservation under the supervision and mentorship of Memphis Zoo staff where students are exposed to current methods and problems in conservation biology.
2. Gain laboratory, data management and analysis, and amphibian husbandry skills as applicable.
3. Attend informal seminars on topics such as methods in conservation research, environmental problems, and the contributions of zoos in conservation.
4. Write a scientific paper on the results of their research project.
5. Present results at Zoo and at a professional scientific conference such as a State Academy of Sciences (optional but encouraged).
6. Upon internship completion, each intern will receive a final evaluation from the Zoo. Components 1-5 will need to be met in order to receive academic credit with their affiliated institution. 

2012 Program Areas

• Development of assisted reproductive technologies for endangered amphibians
  
  • Working with model species to assess methods that can be applied to endangered species
  • Testing of cryopreservation techniques for amphibian gametes
• Advancement of new technologies for non-invasive monitoring of wildlife
  
  • Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) for physiological monitoring
  • Study species may include panda or large cat species
• Reproductive physiology of endangered or threatened mammals
  
  • Optimizing non-invasive techniques for measuring and tracking reproductive cycles and seasonality
  • Assessing the use of novel hormones as biomarkers of pregnancy and parturition
  • Study species may include polar bears, giant panda, anteaters, or large cats

Intern Accolades

Congratulations to Phillip Lyons, junior Biology major on winning first place in the 2011 poster competition at the Western Regional Meeting for Tennessee Academy of Sciences (TAS) on Saturday. Phillip’s poster, coauthored by Jen Germano and Andy Kouba of the Memphis Zoo, was titled “Absence of sexually dimorphic second to fourth (2D:4D) toe length ratios in striped newts.”

Congratulations to biodiversity intern student Chelsea Peters on her award in May for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference - SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete-of-the-Wee. Click here to read more about this prestigious award.