Sponsored Projects

The Pinou Lab and collaborators are looking for students interested in pursuing a MS to apply for the following research projects. Students must be accepted and enrolled in the Integrated Biological Diversity Program (https://www.wcsu.edu/biology-msbiodiversity/how-to-apply/). Student support may include university assistantships, internal scholarships, and fellowships (internal and external). Interested students should contact the PI at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interests, as well as a CV by May 15th.

Sponsored Project Opportunities Available:

The Pinou Lab of Vertebrate Zoology at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut is currently seeking a student interested in pursuing a MS in Integrative Biological Diversity to join the lab ASAP. We are particularly interested in a motivated student with an interest in ecological modeling and limnology to address questions in aquatic invasive plant management using biological control agents (i.e., sterile grass carp). Students with ROV’s, camera traps and video experience are particularly encouraged to apply. Knowledge of occupancy modeling is also a plus but not required. The position is partially funded by a FirstLight Power Fellowship. Student support includes university assistantships, internal scholarships, and fellowships (internal and external). Immediately, interested students should contact the PI at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interests, as well as a CV. All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program by Spring 2023.

The WCSU Pinou Lab, in collaboration CT DEEP Wildlife Division, Connecticut DOT, and the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is looking for a student interested in pursuing a MS to join our Terrapin Tracking Team to collect data on Diamondback Terrapins in Connecticut. We are particularly interested in motivated students with an interest in integrating land use ecology with community science and road mortality mitigation. The project is part of a larger effort to map wildlife mortality on Connecticut roads. The student will be responsible for responding to hotline calls and managing all spatial and temporal data, as well as for working with community scientists to conduct surveys. The project will provide the student experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and in road mitigation initiatives. This project can be applied towards the stewardship requirement for the MS degree and can be used to develop a research thesis that explores frameworks in wildlife conservation, landscape and urban ecology, the reliability of citizen science data, and the intersection between citizen science outreach and policy. Student support includes university assistantships, internal scholarships, and fellowships (internal and external). Interested students should contact the PI at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interests, as well as a CV ASAP. All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program by April in time for seasonal fieldwork.

The Pinou Lab, in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), and Danbury Public Schools is seeking applications for graduate students interested to pursue an MS degree with a focus on watershed stewardship beginning Spring 2023. The successful applicant will collect data on the impact of project-based learning (PBL) related to watershed stewardship on high school STEM academic achievement. We are particularly interested in motivated students with an interest in integrating land use ecology with citizen science and K-12 STEM education research. The project is part of a regional effort to improve local watersheds and the biodiversity they support, and part of an institutional effort to increase access to STEM education for urban youth. The graduate student selected will be responsible for attending PBL training with high school aquatic science teachers and assist in their implementation of classroom projects. The student will also be responsible for peer-mentoring of the Summer Watershed Steward Ambassador (SWSA) program to build community among interns and restore recreational space along the Still River watershed. Secondary education teachers and students interested in obtaining a MS in science education are encouraged to apply. Student support includes university assistantships, internal scholarships, and fellowships (internal and external). Interested students should contact Dr. Theodora Pinou at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interests, and a CV ASAP. All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program

The WCSU Pinou Lab, in collaboration CT DEEP Wildlife Division, and Connecticut DOT, is looking for a student interested in pursuing a MS to join our Copperhead Survey Team to collect survey data of copperhead snakes in Connecticut as part of a population census associated with Pinou’s urban land use project. The student is expected to have prior experience handling and measuring venomous snakes, and able to spend long hot days in the field on rocky slopes. Experience pit tagging is preferred but not required. We are particularly interested in motivated students with an interest in integrating land use ecology with community science and road mortality mitigation. The student will be responsible for managing all spatial and temporal data, as well as for working with community scientist spotters. The project will provide the student experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and in road mitigation initiatives. This project can be applied towards the stewardship requirement for the MS degree and can be used to develop a research thesis that explores frameworks in wildlife conservation genetics, landscape and urban ecology, and conservation outreach and policy. Student support includes university assistantships, and fellowships (internal and external), and the student will be expected to try to raise external funding. Interested students should contact the PI at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interest in Copperhead Snakes, as well as a CV immediately. All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program by April in time for seasonal fieldwork.

Vernal pools are a critical part of our environment. These seasonal pools are essential to the life cycle of a multitude of plants and animals. A specific group of amphibians breed and develop only in vernal pools, and in Connecticut six of these amphibian species have been assigned a rarity classification by the Department of Environmental and Energy Protection as either special concern or endangered. Recognizing the increasing evidence that the survival of these ecosystems may be threatened by climate change and/or human activity, the state of Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act now identifies vernal pools as a watercourse. Hence, the CT municipal inland wetland agencies maintain a role in monitoring vernal pools in areas where activities are likely to impact these sensitive habitats. Flanders is seeking an Environmental Studies, Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology upper level undergraduate or graduate student from a Connecticut University to conduct a comprehensive study of vernal pools on three of our properties – Whittemore, Leavenworth and Hetzel. The student would work with Flanders to locate and map the vernal pools, and provide an assessment of the status or health of each pool. The fellowship recipient would be expected to identify best practices and guidance for Flanders on a) how to measure the pools in the future and b) Flanders role in protecting these critical pools.

Flanders is responsible for over 2400 acres consisting of varied composition including forest, farm and fields. All the properties in the Flanders inventory have management plans describing the acceptable uses for the land as well as how they will be maintained over time. The management plan of one of our largest properties, Whittemore, was updated in 2019 with forestry recommendations. Over the years, shifts in tree species have occurred as fields turned to forest and invasives like Emerald Ash Borer thinned the Ash population. We also anticipate new threats to current forest composition from climate change and other invasive species whether they be plant or animal. Flanders seeks a University partner in an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student to complete a baseline study of what tree species are present now and a measure of their relative health. From this baseline study, we would also expect recommendations for changes to our management plans and a presentation to be included in the Flanders program plan for Winter 2023.