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OUR Weekly: September 9

2024

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Details on events and deadlines can be found in subsequent sections of this newsletter.

  • September 12, 2024 - American Society of Microbiology Abstract Application & Registration
  • September 18, 2024 - Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence Career Fair
  • September 20, 2024 - Dr. Wayne Scales Undergraduate Research Symposium Application Deadline
  • September 27, 2024 - Cybersecurity Institute Virtual Career Fair
  • September 30, 2024 - Roger and Debbie West Student Grant Application Deadline
  • October 7, 2024 - Graduate and Professional School Fair

Opportunities for Starting Research

1. National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program

The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) offers full-time summer internships, with opportunities to continue during the academic year.

Undergraduate and graduate students from accredited Minority Serving Institutions receive:

  • Stipends starting at $750/week
  • Allowances to offset the cost of:
    • Commuting: $50/week
    • Housing: Varies based on location
    • Travel to and from the hosting site: $1,000
    • Virtual Participation: $150/week

Opportunities are available not only in STEM but also in communication, management, business, policy, law, and other disciplines that support the NNSA Mission. Applications can be found on the NNSA-MSIPP application webpage. The application deadline is October 27, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

2. Pamplin Seeking Students for Research Projects

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative in conjunction with the Pamplin College of Business is seeking students to work 10 hours a week on such research topics as cybersecurity risk, data breaches, and machine learning/artificial intelligence for cybersecurity. You’ll earn $17.50 an hour.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be done remotely. Information on how to apply can be found on the cybersecurity initiative’s job posting webpage.

3. Plant and Environmental Sciences Lab Seeking Students

The research lab of Dr. Bastiaan Bargmann in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences is searching for an undergraduate researcher with an interest in gaining hands-on experience in molecular genetics. The position will be 9+ hours a week as voluntary or for-credit. The research project focuses on the cannabis secondary metabolite pathway and the regulatory network of the genes involved. The undergraduate researcher will gain experience in plant tissue culture, molecular cloning, plant transformation, and general lab practices. If you’re interested in joining the lab, email Adam Sumner.

Opportunities for Students Participating in Research

1. Roger and Debbie West Student Grant Call for Proposals

The Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) will award five $1,000 student grants for the 2024-25 academic year.

ICAT invites applicants for projects that leverage the combined strengths of science, engineering, art, and design to tackle real-world challenges. These funds can be used to pursue a range of transdisciplinary activities that are creativity-fueled and human-centric. Teams must be comprised of students from at least two different schools/departments, and one team member must represent arts and/or design.

Information on how to apply can be found on the ICAT Roger and Debbie West Student Grant Call for Proposals webpage. The deadline for application is September 30, 2024.

2. Dr. Wayne Scales Undergraduate Research Symposium and Creative Scholarship Award

The Black Male Excellent Network (BMEN) is accepting applications for the Wayne Scales Scholarship and Undergraduate Research Symposium. Exceptional black male students who have completed undergraduate research projects and other related training programs will be able to present their works in an undergraduate research symposium embedded in the 9th Annual Uplifting Black Men Conference in February.

The Wayne Scales Undergraduate Research application is open until September 20, 2024, with the symposium occurring on February 14, 2025. For questions about the application and the program, email Patrick Wallace.

3. American Society of Microbiology Conference

This year on October 11-12, 2024, will be the annual meeting of the Virginia chapter of the American Society of Microbiology (ASM). This meeting is in tandem with CEZAP (Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, & Arthropod-borne Pathogens) at Virginia Tech.

For the ASM portion of our joint meeting, we are looking for undergraduates who would like to get their first chance to present their research! Please submit an abstract even if you have little or no data – this is a great opportunity to share future plans! These types of poster presentations are welcome and encouraged! Posters are for undergraduates and first year graduate students. ASM abstracts for posters are due September 12, 2024. Submit your abstract on the 2024 Joint VA-ASM and CeZAP Abstract Submission Form. 

Other Opportunities

1. Goldwater Scholarship Applications Open

The Goldwater Scholarship Program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.

The characteristics the Foundation seeks in a Goldwater Scholar include:

  • strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering
  • effective display of intellectual intensity in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, and
  • potential for a significant future contribution to research in their chosen field.

Each Goldwater Scholar annually receives an amount equal to the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board minus the amount of support provided for by other sources, up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year. Scholars who receive the award as sophomores can expect to receive support for a maximum of two years (4 semesters) or until graduation, if sooner. Scholars who receive the award as juniors can expect to receive support for a maximum of one year (2 semesters) or until graduation, if sooner. More information can be found on the Goldwater Scholarship webpage. 

2. Graduate and Professional School Fair

The annual Graduate and Professional School Fair at Virginia Tech will take place this year on October 7, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Squires Student Center. This event will bring together VT students and recruiters from a diverse range of schools, covering areas such as business, STEM, social sciences/humanities, medicine/health, and law.

Pre-register for the event using the Graduate and Professional School Fair pre-registration form and enter our raffles for a chance to win exciting prizes at the event!

3. Cybersecurity Institute Internship and Job Fair

The 8th annual National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair, sponsored by NCYTE and the CAE Community is right around the corner on September 27, 2024! Join students and alumni from over 450 institutions across the nation, designated as centers of academic excellence in cybersecurity, with employers seeking top cyber talent! Registration for the event can be found on the Cybersecurity Institute Virtual Career Fair webpage.

4. Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence Career Fair

Our mission is to directly connect government and industry employers in the intelligence, defense, and aerospace communities with top engineering students for potential internship, co-operative, and/or full-time employment opportunities in the national security field. Over the course of our career fair, you will have an opportunity to meet with employers, share your resume, and set up post-career fair interviews. Registration and more information can be found on the Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence Career Fair webpage.

5. Biosafety and Biosecurity Month

It’s Biosafety and Biosecurity Month! Celebrate Biosafety and Biosecurity Month with staff from both the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Program and the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Biosafety Group. Join us on October 23, 2024, for a Biosecurity themed escape room, fun activities, games, raffle prizes, and free gifts. Participation in the escape room will require registration, which can be found on the Biosafety and Biosecurity Month Bookings webpage.