DENIN Environmental Scholars

The DENIN Environmental Scholars Program is a paid undergraduate research internship that provides interested students with a sustained environmental research experience during the academic year. Scholars work with faculty research mentors at the University of Delaware. Students may select from the projects shown on this page. The broad theme of the opportunities relates to water in our changing coastal environment.

University of Delaware undergraduate students from any major may apply. The research project descriptions below specify any coursework or prerequisites for the opportunity. In addition to research, DENIN Scholars are also required to attend workshops in career development and effective communication, as well as occasional field trips or social events. Scholars present the results of their work at a student symposium in May 2024.

How to Apply:

Students who are interested in applying should review the published opportunities below.  To apply, go to:  http://ugresearch.udel.edu/PUB_Program.aspx

Please note that the application requires one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or another person who can comment on your experience, education, and suitability for a DENIN Environmental Scholar research project. The online application system will ask you for the name and email of your reference, and will send a request to that person by email. Please contact your reference in advance, to see if they are able to provide a letter. The application also requests transcripts, for which unofficial transcripts are accepted. Students with questions about the DENIN Scholars program or the application process should contact Dr. Sam Clem at DENIN.

All applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must be current sophomores, juniors, or seniors.

Anticipating Threats to Natural Systems (ACTIONS): Anticipating Threats to Natural Systems (ACTIONS) is a collaboration among the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory and flagship universities in coastal states – the University of Delaware and Louisiana State University. This work will provide technology to inform Army Futures Command on the operational environment of Soldiers in present and future terrain hazards. The Army (as part of the Joint Force) currently lacks domain awareness of potential physical and chemical hazards in vulnerable natural terrestrial systems caused by flooding and coastal storm surges. Understanding these threats will enable faster and more accurate routing and maneuverability for US forces. 

Fall/Spring 2023-24 – ACTIONS Research Projects:

Salinity induced changes in phosphorus biogeochemistry in tidal salt marsh sediments  

Fall/Spring 2023-24 – WiCCED Research Projects:

Development of a Low-cost Flood Sensor for Transportation in Delaware

Project WiCCED Data Wrangling and Data Visualization

Addressing Concerns of Septic Maintenance in Delaware- A Behavioral Economics Approach to Water Pollution and Sustainability

Economic experiments to understand behavior in response to environmental risks exacerbated by climate change

Genome to Phenome Connections in Bradyrhizobium Lytic Phage

Applications for Fall/Spring 2023-2024 Research Projects are due September 15, 2023. 

Applications for Development of a Low-cost Flood Sensor for Transportation in Delaware have been extended through September 30, 2023.