Research internships run for approximately 12 weeks during the summer time: June - August. The exact start and end time of the internship will vary depending on the research project and the intern's availability. Students applying for our research internships will submit a short proposal (five pages or less) on a specific topic/question chosen from a  list of projects of interest to the Sanctuary, or the applicant can choose to develop his/her own research question. The list of research topics/questions provided is updated every year.

 

Topics for 2024 Research Internship

 

Accessing the Archaeological Collections of Jug Bay:

Over the last 30 years, archaeologists with Anne Arundel County and the Lost Towns Project have conducted archaeological research throughout the Jug Bay area. In 2019, the Lost Towns Project updated the documentation of known archaeological sites as well as identified and recorded new sites. This project will build on the 2019 work by focusing on the status of the artifact collections from those sites that Anne Arundel County curates. The intern will create a database detailing the nature of the collections, both artifacts and associated paper and digital records from multiple seasons of fieldwork, and identify the next steps in making the collections more accessible to researchers.

The intern would be based at the Anne Arundel County Archaeology Laboratory in Edgewater, MD. Undergraduate and graduate students of Archaeology, Anthropology, and related disciplines are invited to apply.

Mentor: PhD Candidate Andrew Webster, Archaeologist for Anne Arundel County, Cultural Resources Division.

 

Soil Characterization of Different Habitats: The intern will design an experiment to sample, process, analyze and compare soils characteristics among different habitats found within the Sanctuary. These habitats may include a recently reforested agricultural field, a forest, a meadow, and/or a sand barren. Soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that could be studied may include: texture, color, structure, porosity, soil permeability, bulk density, soil pH, organic matter content, and the presence of earthworms, nematodes, arthropods, and others.

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS).

 

Determining Use of Sanctuary Meadows by Butterflies and/or Native Bees: The intern will design an experiment to compare the presence and use by butterflies and/or native bees, between a newly established and an old pollinator meadow. Research questions can explore spatial and temporal variability and plant species differences. This study will provide valuable information about the importance of pollinator meadow habitat. 

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS), and Dr. Timothy McMahon, Volunteer Researcher, USGS Native Bee Lab.

 

Measuring Stream Discharge and Total Suspended Solids of Different Stream Reaches Found at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve: The intern will sample and calculate stream discharge and total suspended solids during baseflow and storm events at three different stream reaches found within the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve. Additional biological sampling can be added to determine species of fish and/or microinvertebrates found at these sites. These streams are being targeted for restoration and the information collected through this study will help create a baseline to evaluate restoration success after implementation.

Mentors: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS) 

 

Characterizing the Pollinators of Two Marsh Plants of the Jug Bay Tidal Freshwater Marshes:  The intern will study both Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed) and Nuphar lutea (the yellow water-lily) to find which insect pollinators visit the plants and which seem to be pollinating them. The intern will collect pollinators for identification and estimate the pollination success of the pollinators for each plant. This project will shed light on the pollination success of individual insect species for each plant. The intern must be able to collect specimens from a watercraft (i.e. canoe or kayak).

Mentor: Dr. Timothy McMahon, Volunteer Researcher, USGS Native Bee Lab.

 

Choose Your Own Research Topic: The intern is encouraged to visit Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary before developing the proposal so she/he can learn about what we do and our research needs. With this information on hand, the intern will develop her/his own research project based on personal interest, experience, and Sanctuary needs. The proposed research question would have to be approved by Patricia Delgado before moving forward with writing the proposal. This is an open opportunity to develop your own research question!

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS).

 

For more information regarding project topics/questions, please contact Patricia Delgado via email at rpdelg88@aacounty.org

Qualifications

Internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are capable of working independently with mentor guidance. Students should be self-motivated, have good communication and writing skills, and be comfortable working in physically challenging environments.

Application Requirements

Qualified applicants should submit the documents listed below via email to Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org

• A short proposal (five single-spaced pages or less that include a title, introduction, literature review, methodology, and cited literature);
• One-page resume;
• Copies of unofficial transcripts;
• Two letters of recommendation.

Internship Requirements

The successful applicant is expected to fulfill the following requirements during the time of the internship:

• Develop an expanded, detailed research project;
• Conduct independent research with support from the project mentor;
• Develop a final report;
• Give a presentation at the Jug Bay's Annual Volunteer Picnic;
• Write an article for Jug Bay's newsletter, "Marsh Notes," or our website summarizing research findings.

Financial Support

The Friends of Jug Bay will provide a stipend totaling $4,000; two equal installments of $1,500 will be given during the first two months of the internship. A final payment of $1000 is made upon receipt of the final report. Interns should expect to work approximately 12 weeks during the summer (June through August).

Housing: If needed, housing at the residence of a FOJB member and volunteer will be available at no cost for one of the interns.

Transportation: Applicant must provide his/her own transportation.

 

To submit your application or for more information contact:

Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org