An undergraduate internship experience has been developed to provide students real-world training and laboratory skills in agricultural plant biotechnology. The goal of this experience is to engage students in real world science in plant biotechnology in the context of on-going research programs providing undergraduate students the opportunity to learn current techniques applied in plant genetic engineering and agricultural biotechnology.  For interest in internships please contact Dr. Albert Kausch; attn. Kimberly Nelson  email at kauschlaboratory@gmail.com. Generally requirements include upperclassman status with Genetics as a prerequisite, or permission from the instructor.

The current internship program involves students in our research program areas which include:

• Biofuels as a Renewable Energy Source (DOE)
  Genetic Engineering of Switchgrass with Traits to Improve Biofuels Production
• Genetic Engineering of Corn for Nutritional Enhancement for African Germplasm (HarvestPlus/CIAT)
  Genetic Modification to Enhance Protein, Iron and Vitamin A Content in Corn for Africa
• Hybrid Rice to Increase Global Food Production (NSF BREAD)
  Hybrid technologies for heterosis in rice and related cereals
• Development of Green Garlic as a New Vegetable
  Biology of garlic and the biochemistry of thiosulfinates

Students work together where the theme is to create an environment is such that  this experience is both job and science related. In the context of this project-based experience, students learn significant laboratory skills and gain rigorous training.  This experience has been a resume builder for many students in the past who have gone on to jobs in biotechnology related fields or to graduate school. We have placed over 95% of our interns over the last ten years.

These laboratory skills include aspects such as laboratory safety, tissue and cell culture, aseptic technique, media preparation, bacterial cell preparation, DNA introduction methods, such as microprojectile bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, analysis of  transient and stable transformation comparisons, DNA isolation, reporter gene analysis, PCR and Southern blot analysis, photomicrography, data presentation and proper laboratory notebook record keeping. During the internship, students contribute to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quarterly reports for various techniques and protocols.  Students are also encouraged to read recent scientific journals on lab related publications. This approach drives interest in underlying fundamentals through current and advanced technologies. Students learn science by actually doing it.

In addition, the final project requires writing of abstracts for poster presentation to be submitted and presented at to the American Society of Plant Biology (ASPB).  See the PBL website list of recent publications and attended conferences where many of the interns are listed as recent co-authors.  Most of the students in this internship program will attend meetings.  The ASPB and the Sociecty for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) meetings this past year, 2013, were held in Providence RI, providing a unique and local opportunity for many URI students to attend.

The students learn science by actually doing it; as well as other qualities of good scientists such as patience, persistence, perseverance, attention to detail, responsibility, and record keeping.

We believe our interns should treat this opportunity like a job, with the same dedication and respect as they would have for an employer.  Warren Buffett’s wife, Susan, had wise words of advice for her children and their children, namely: 1.) Show up. 2.) Tell the truth.3.) Pay attention. 4.) Do your best. 5.) Don’t be too attached to the outcome.  In this experiential project based internship this advice rings true and loud and students are judged by these criteria. 

Contact us if you are interested.

The Plant Biotechnology Laboratory is located in a University research facility about 1 mile from the main URI campus at 530 Liberty Lane in West Kingston, Rhode Island.