Mekong REU
Indigenous America to Indigenous Mekong Basin: Adventure in Biology and Biodiversity
The Indigenous America to Indigenous Mekong Basin (IAIM): Adventures in Biology and
Biodiversity in Vietnam and Thailand will be piloted this summer (2017) using a combination
of funds from an NSF REU award and an NSF RCN grant. Applications are now being accepted.
Application Information
To apply, complete the online application form.
Online Application Form
You will be asked to provide personal and academic information as well as the names
and contact information of three recommenders.
Since we are awaiting a fully-funded NSF REU award for IAIM, summer 2017 will be limited to 4-6 students. Beginning summer 2018, we hope to offer a full program of 8-10 students per summer.
If you do not get accepted this summer, your application will be rolled over into 2018 provided that NSF releases funding during the academic year 2017-2018.
Program At A Glance:
PROGRAM DATES /
APPLICATION DEADLINE /
DURATION / 10 weeks (4-5 weeks abroad)
STIPEND / $5,000 - $5,500 (other expenses paid)
PARTICIPANTS / 4-6 students
Program Description
The experience typically includes 5-6 weeks abroad in the host country collecting data in project groups consisting of no more than 4 students (2 U.S. students plus 2 foreign students) and a faculty research lead. This is followed by a 4-5 week domestic component either in Arkansas (mid-lower Mississippi River region) or in northern Minnesota (upper Mississippi River region). During the domestic component students will continue their research, receive training on data organization and analysis, engage in technical writing skills development, and prepare posters, slideshow presentations, and/or manuscripts for publication based on their work and the work of past cohorts contributing to the same projects.
Project include research focused on: (1) sustainable aquaculture and aquaponics; (2) fish diseases and genetics; (3) traditional-use/tribal-use plants for foods and medicines; (4) biodiversity of fish and select mammal species; and, more.
Stipends and Funding
Students funded by NSF REU receive a stipend ranging from $5000-$5500 upon completing the program and submitting all deliverables. Students receive round-trip international airfare, lodging, and a meal allowance to support their participation in the program. Students who show exceptional achievement may request a travel allowance to present their research at a national or international conference after the experience. Exceptional student may also request letters of recommendation for professional or graduate school or for employment opportunities from program mentors. Selection is not solely based on GPA but a host of factors, including letters of recommendation and a personal interview (i.e., video conference).
About the Mekong River
The Mekong River is the 12th largest river in the world. Receiving run-off originating from the Himalayan Mountain Range and entering from the Tibetan plateau, this river system provides vital ecosystem resources to more than 80 million people, including citizens of several southeast Asian countries. These include: Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Since the Chinese invasion and incorporation of Tibet in 1950, multiple changes have occurred along the Mekong River. Most notably, a series of dams and hydroelectric dams have been built and industrial development along the Mekong has resulted in stress on the system. The combination of anthropogenic perturbations and climate variation in the region has resulted in the emergence of multiple geological, chemical, and biological changes in the region. The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) has been particularly impacted by these changes.
International Collaboration
Our collaborative partnerships–in Vietnam with Can Tho University and Vietnam National University in Hanoi; in Thailand with Chiang Mai University and Mahasarakham University; and with the Ceballos Lab at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Rob Gardener at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mary Cloninger at Montana State University and Dr. Danielle Levesque at the University of Maine–allow us to provide unique opportunities for students to be engaged in a host of research projects as part of summer internship and academic year assistantship experiences.
A Program Built on Success
This program builds on more than 10 years of successful international programming for undergraduates in multiple countries including: Norway, Mexico, Malaysia, Vietnam, and more. The program is highly dedicated to increasing the participation of individuals from racial/ethnic groups that are historically underrepresented in the natural sciences and those from economically-underserved communities.
Contact Us
If you have further questions regarding this program, please contact Dr. Ceballos at ceballos@uark.edu.