Plant Invasion REU
School: Natural Sciences
Department: Biosciences
What happens belowground when invasive plants establish in a new ecosystem? The McCary Lab at Rice University investigates how traits such as root growth and structure influence the organisms that live in soil, the food webs they form, and the way nutrients cycle through ecosystems.
This 10-week summer research experience offers a Houston-area community college student hands-on training in invasion, insect, and ecosystem ecology. Working with the McCary Lab, the participant will develop an independent project related to the lab’s NSF CAREER research. The participant will also have the opportunity to help lead hands-on activities for high school students, such as measuring traits of native and invasive plants and surveying insect diversity.
- Program Start Date: May 23, 2027
- Program End Date: July 30, 2027
- Program Length: 10 weeks
- Application Deadline: February 15, 2027
Additional Information:
Through Rice’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) programming, the participant will connect with other undergraduate researchers and attend workshops on exploring research careers, applying to graduate school, and presenting scientific findings.
Program Contact:
For further information regarding this program, please contact Matt McCary at matt.mccary@rice.edu.
Key Faculty:
