Unique Strengths Internships

Current students

Dr. Amy Biddle researching with students in an animal science lab

Unique Strengths Undergraduate Research Internship

The CANR Unique Strengths summer undergraduate research internship program will provide support for a 10-week undergraduate research internship experience with a CANR faculty member. The CANR Unique Strengths encompass five research areas:

Genetics and genomics
Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change
A “one health” approach to animal, plant, human and ecosystems;
Sustainable food systems, landscapes and ecosystems; and
The human dimensions of agriculture and natural resources

Students will each receive a $4,500 stipend and $500 for research (to be spent with a faculty mentor).

The 10-week internship begins Jun. 3 and ends Aug. 8.

In our college

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Summer Institute

Summer research and education experiences to undergraduates (both UD and non-UD students) who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in the agricultural, natural resources, or life sciences.

Extension Scholars

During this summer internship, students will follow Cooperative Extension's service learning model, implemented through one of extension's four program areas: 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, lawn and garden, and agriculture and natural resources. Applications will be accepted until February 11.

UD Botanic Gardens Internship Program

UDBG’s staff works with interns in all areas of public garden operations. Students familiar with horticulture can use the internships to expand their horizons and discover new aspects in this diverse industry.

UDairy Creamery Internships

Positions available for UD Undergraduate students in Cheesemaking and Quality Assurance.

UD Envision

Intensive, hands-on research education and experiential learning projects help to bridge the perceptual change required for students to Envision themselves as Scientists.

UD Fresh to You Internship

Fresh to You is looking for student interns who are interested in working on the farm! Interns will participate in all aspects of the farm including propagation, crop maintenance, harvesting, farm stand sales, insect pest management, and more.

Unique Strengths Undergraduate Research Internships

The CANR Unique Strengths summer undergraduate research internship program will provide support for a ten-week undergraduate research internship experience with a CANR faculty member.

Around the University

Delaware Water Resources Center Internships

UDWRC water internships provide a unique opportunity for undergraduate students, faculty, and scientists to be directly involved in research and education that address critical water resources issues.

McNair Scholars Program

Through this federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, funding supports students' involvement in research and scholarly activities. McNair participants are first-generation college students with financial need or members of a traditionally underrepresented group.

University Of Delaware Research Apprenticeship Work-Study

This program allows eligible, early-career students to use federal work-study funds to gain research experiences. Students make meaningful contributions while learning about the research and scholarships in their field. This apprenticeship facilitates the relationship between low income, economically disadvantaged students and research faculty.

UD Undergraduate Research Program

As an umbrella for student research at UD, URP runs broad-based programs of our own through the academic year and in the summers and we also coordinate with many other offices, departments, and academic units. Staff provide you with general information as well as guidance on how to identify and approach a faculty mentor with whom you might like to work.

302-831-2501

cdfitz@udel.edu

Christy Fitzpatrick
Administrative Assistant
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Summer Opportunities for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE) Program

This program provides summer research opportunities for college students who are not currently enrolled at the University of Delaware.

Learn more about SOURCE

Ethni Abiy

Affiliated program: Unique Strengths

Mentor: Dr. Angela Holland

Major: Wildlife Ecology & Conservation (University of Delaware)

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Bio: In the Unique Strengths Program, Ethni is studying under Dr. Angela Holland. As part of her Senior thesis, Ethni is researching environmental and sustainability practices performed by indigenous communities in the global south to deconstruct negative narratives perpetuated by more developed countries. Ethni’s research came to be based on a debate in her conservation biology class. She noticed her peers who advocated for environmental and sustainability methods used by more developed countries often lacked historical and cultural context to explain why and how certain communities use their environment. Because of this experience, Ethni became interested in environmental policy reform, particularly policies that were aimed at giving Indigenous communities a voice. After interviewing multiple professors, Ethni chose to work with Dr. Holland due to Dr. Holland's willingness to assist Ethni in refining her research and transforming their research results into a philosophical research paper.

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Solomon Hendrix

Affiliated program: Unique Strengths

Mentor: Dr. Charles R. Bartlett

Major: Insect Ecology and Conservation (University of Delaware)

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Bio: In the Unique Strengths Internship program, Solomon is studying insect classification and taxonomy under the supervision of Dr. Charles Bartlett. He studies the forms of different insect species, compares them to one another, and describes species new to science.

Solomon became interested in insect classification research in 2017 and began corresponding with Dr. Bartlett in 2019, who later inspired Solomon to apply to the University of Delaware in 2021. Solomon has worked with Dr. Bartlett since his first year of college, and together, they published six papers. Solomon enjoys working with Dr. Bartlett because he is supportive, encourages independence, and has taught Solomon a lot about taxonomy and networking. Solomon also admires how knowledgeable Dr. Bartlett is. Solomon enjoys discovering new insects, meeting others who enjoy taxonomy as much as him, and interacting with people who conduct research in other fields.

While researching, Solomon has gained many new skills while honing others. He has grown into an efficient researcher, a concise writer, and a better communicator. The insect collection at the University of Delaware is a hidden gem, and reporting on and working with this collection brings Solomon fulfillment. He hopes the insect collection will receive as much attention as other research collections.

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Madelyn Winzig

Affiliated program: Unique Strengths

Mentor: Dr. Behnam Abasht

Major: Pre-veterinary medicine (University of Delaware)

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Bio: In the Unique Strengths Program, Madelyn is working with Dr. Behnam Abasht to investigate the genomics of Wooden Breast Disease in broiler chickens. Her project focuses on animal welfare and what breeding practices can be used to reduce Wooden Breast Disease in a flock.

Madelyn has worked with Dr. Abasht since her first year of college, and he encouraged her to apply for the Unique Strengths Program to continue working in his lab. Madelyn enjoys working under Dr. Abasht because he is understanding, helpful, and patient. Madelyn's research is more structured and specialized than working with Dr. Abasht during her freshman year. Additionally, her first-year research experience prepared her for what she is currently researching. Working in a research environment has taught Madelyn how to be consistent and organized, especially when following lab procedures. In the Unique Strengths program, Madelyn hopes to gain a better understanding of the research process and how to conduct research experiments.

Further down the line, Madelyn would like to shift her research focus to wildlife and how to make animals more comfortable in captivity.

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