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Summer Scholars Program

Eugene Amponsah ('19) researches floral chemistry and bee disease resistance

The CAFE Summer Scholars Program offers paid, summer internships for UMass Amherst undergraduate students who have the unique opportunity to make significant contributions that advanced the design, implementation and goals of an existing research or extension project.  CAFE Summer Scholars is more diverse than similar undergraduate experiences, which are typically focused more tightly on a single disciplinary area. Projects reflect the broad portfolio of programs supported by CAFE and students spend their summer in faculty research laboratories, offices and field stations, as well as in communities where extension professionals are engaged directly with citizens.  The program is made possible through a combination of UMass, Federal (USDA/NIFA) and private funds. In addition to project-based work, field trips to research and Extension facilities and professional development activities help students to prepare for future careers and educational opportunities while gaining insight into the relationship between research and public education.

Summer 2023

  • Alam Ridha
    Biology
    TRPM7 Expression and Localization in Bovine Oocytes, Cumulus Cells, and Sperm
    Summer 2023
  • Farms and Food Systems
    Biodiversity Boost: Unleashing Ecosystem Services for a Thriving Planet
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Dylan Ashe
    Plant and Soil Sciences
    Characterization of Rice OsNIP1;1 for its Role in Arsenic Transport in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)
    Summer 2023
  • Hannah Chan
    Environmental Science
    Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Its Effects on Basil Plants
    Summer 2023
  • Horticulture Science
    Re-Establishment of Native Fruit Species in New England in Support of Climate Smart Agriculture: Assessing the Consumer Education Barriers for Market Entry
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • London Cross
    Chemistry
    Increasing the Detection Rate of Microplastics Using Organic Solvents To Expand Their Structure
    Summer 2023
  • Serena Debari
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Investigating Catalytic Residues in Class I active site of a Fungal Diterpene Synthase
    Summer 2023
  • Jamie Denley
    Neuroscience
    New Phylogenetic Tools for Scale Insects
    Summer 2023
  • Ryan Dougherty
    Environmental Science
    Wildlife Species Utilization of Solar Sites in Massachusetts
    Summer 2023
  • Eva Gerstle
    Math, minor NRC
    Exploratory Mussel Survey in a New England Salt Marsh
    Summer 2023
  • Ethan Gioscia
    Sustainable Horticulture
    Characterization of Cranberry Fruit Rot Fungi from Massachusetts
    Summer 2023
  • Veronica Hoac
    Biology
    Divergent mycorrhizal lineages have different morphology and colonization rates in a model grass
    Summer 2023
  • Luke Joseph
    Chemical Engineering
    Investigating the Effects of Photosynthetically Active Radiation on Chlorophyll Content in Butternut Squash
    Summer 2023
  • Heena Kreamer
    Environmental Science
    Investigating the Effect of Polyethylene Microplastics on Lettuce Growth
    Summer 2023
  • Valeria Lacouture
    Biochemistry
    Plant microbe interactions between Brachypodium distachyon and Fusarium oxysporum across seven accessions
    Summer 2023
  • Ryan Lai
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Investigating Effector Virulence Components in Plant Pathogens
    Summer 2023
  • Kyra Lally
    Natural Resources Conservation
    The Significance of Brachypodium Distachyon in Agricultural Research
    Summer 2023
  • Haofeng Lin
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Class I (CI) Small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSPs)
    Summer 2023
  • Amber Madeiras
    Natural Resources Conservation
    How Can We Inform Future Management for HWA Infested Hemlock Trees?
    Summer 2023
  • Ronan McKnight
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Unveiling Conserved Evolutionary Branching Traits among Agricultural Grass Species
    Summer 2023
  • Trevor Melusen
    Environmental Science and Plant & Soil Science
    Soil Microbial Community Evolution
    Summer 2023
  • Food and Farm Systems
    Determining the Feeding Preferences of Rosy Apple Aphids for Six Apple Cultivars
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Renewing Sustainable Practices at Holyoke Community College: Drafting a Preliminary Layout for a Self-Sufficient Permaculture Garden
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Mitchel Morin
    Microbiology
    Evaluating a Zebrafish Model to Determine The Etiology of Epitheliocystis
    Summer 2023
  • Rhea Negron
    Environmental Science
    Influence of Management on the Fungal Microbiome of North American Grapes
    Summer 2023
  • Mikayla Newbrey
    Biology
    Quantifying Relatedness of Green Sea Turtles in the Hawaiian Islands
    Summer 2023
  • Erika Norris
    Biology and Psychology
    Related Functions of Signaling Proteins in Maize Stomata & Arabidopsis Roots
    Summer 2023
  • Sustainable Community Development
    Surveying Farmers Perspectivesd on Integrated Pest Management strategies in Massachusetts
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Nicole Perry
    Environmental Science
    Cost Benefit Analysis of Pollinator-Friendly and Conventional Solar Development
    Summer 2023
  • Environmental Science
    Effects of Kaolin Clay as Ground Cover on Nutrient Composition in Apple Trees
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Brendan Post
    Environmental Science
    Mass ECAN Peer Learning Program Pilot
    Summer 2023
  • Horticulture Science
    Developing and Implementing Engaging Educational Experiences at Cobble Hill Farm Education & Rescue Center
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Melissa Rymaszewski
    Environmental Science
    Fire History Reconstruction of Southeastern Massachusetts: Foothills Preserve, Plymouth, MA
    Summer 2023
  • Sustainable Food and Farming (AS)
    Japanese Beetle Mass Trapping in Massachusetts Grapes and Blueberries
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Farms and Food Systems
    Developing Equitably Accessible Educational Resources
    Summer 2023
    REEU Program
  • Liz Sykes
    Biology
    Crithidia Bombi Presence and Prevalence in Solitary Bee Species
    Summer 2023
  • Hayato Umaoka
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Characterization of Pollen-predominant RALFs
    Summer 2023
  • Natalie Wadsworth
    Environmental Science
    Exploring Crabgrass Varieties as Innovative New England Forage Crops
    Summer 2023
  • Aidan Wills
    Environmental Science
    Modeling Food, Water, and Energy Nexus in The Connecticut River Watershed
    Summer 2023
  • Chance Yan
    Biology and Environmental Science
    Using a Community Physiology Approach to Understand Vulnerability to Climate Warming on New England Rocky Shores
    Summer 2023
  • Sean Young
    Natural Resources Conservation
    Artificial Reef Monitoring in Nantucket Sound using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV)
    Summer 2023
  • Jun Zhang
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Deleting Nodule Specific Genes Using CRISPR-Cas9 to Understand Genes Involved in Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
    Summer 2023

Summer 2022

  • Noor Abid
    Nutrition
    A Nutritional Approach to Mitigate HIV Viral Load: dietary assessment tools
    Summer 2022
  • Eitan Altabet
    Plant and Soil Sciences
    What Can We Learn From Housefly Saliva?
    Summer 2022
  • Julianna Applegate
    Animal Science
    4-H Youth Programming Promotes the 5 C’s of the Positive Youth Development Theory
    Summer 2022
  • Abigail Basen
    Biology
    Examining Biotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogen Resistance in Grapes
    Summer 2022
  • Matthew Bley
    Plant and Soil Sciences and Horticultural Sciences
    Pest control using insect-eating nematodes as the model system
    Summer 2022
    REEU Program
  • Eamon Breen
    Urban Geography and French Studies
    Potential for Solar PV on MA Highway Sound Barriers
    Summer 2022
  • Olivia R. Capriotti
    Journalism, Spanish, Sustainable Food & Farming
    Understanding Microclimatic Factors of Cranberry Bogs to Improve Fruit Quality
    Summer 2022
  • Brianna Carlisle
    Environmental Science
    Managing Emerging contaminants in the Connecticut River Watershed
    Summer 2022
  • Jingyi Cheng
    Food Science
    Examining baicalein, a type of flavonoid, on Caenorhabditis elegans for anti-obesity effects
    Summer 2022
  • Christina Eckenreiter
    Animal Science
    Bovine Sperm Ca2+ Signaling and Energy Pathways in Basic Science and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
    Summer 2022
  • Eleah Flockhart
    Microbiology
    The effect of mechanical stimulation on crown root development in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon
    Summer 2022
  • Zachary Fouser
    Natural Resources Conservation
    Ditch Severity and Vegetative Class at the Peggotty Salt Marsh
    Summer 2022
  • Maxwell Francke
    Natural Resources Conservation & Sustainable Food and Farming
    Pear psylla management via strategic waterspout pruning
    Summer 2022
    REEU Program
  • Brittany Gold
    Microbiology
    Investigating the Potential of Tulane Virus, a Human Norovirus Surrogate, to Develop Enhanced Recalcitrance After Serial Subfatal Heat Treatments
    Summer 2022
  • Isaac Gordin
    Forest Ecology
    Quantifying 40 years of forest dynamics in UMass experimental forests
    Summer 2022
  • Lily Grinhauz
    Natural Resources Conservation
    Determining Phylogeny of Salminus brasiliensis Using COI Gene
    Summer 2022
  • Lily Harris-Henry
    Political Science
    Practical English Course Survey for Hispanic Migrant Workers
    Summer 2022
    REEU Program
  • Lauren Ho
    Biochemistry and Food Science
    Effects of Jasmonic Acid on Cherry Tomato Fruit Quality
    Summer 2022
    REEU Program
  • Amelia Jennette
    Animal Science
    The Use of Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) to Treat Antimicrobial Resistant Infections in Mares
    Summer 2022
  • Charlotte Koch
    Plant & Soil Sciences
    Nutrient and water stress alters Avena sativa disruption of soil carbon storage potential
    Summer 2022
  • Hayley Kozikowski
    Sustainable Food and Farming
    Insect-Eating Fungi Present in the Soil of Massachusetts Orchards
    Summer 2022
    REEU Program
  • Kaspar Mazeika
    Biology
    Species Delimitation in a Highly polyphagous Scale Insect species complex
    Summer 2022
  • Savannah Metzgar
    Biology
    Detection of abs1 in Zea mays
    Summer 2022
  • Ryan Morano
    Environmental Science
    Salt Marsh Working Group Project Viewer
    Summer 2022
  • Khine Zin Mra
    Resource Economics
    Lobster Bait Project: Refining Carrageenan Based Alternative Lobster Bait
    Summer 2022
  • Cecelia Murphy
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Unique Expansion of PARP Family Proteins in the Fusarium oxysporum species complex
    Summer 2022
  • Gillian Nichols
    Environmental Sciences
    The Range Expansion of Minuca pugnax into the Gulf of Maine
    Summer 2022
  • Benedikt Nuesslein
    Biology
    Understanding an Agriculturally Important Grass Trait With CRISPR
    Summer 2022
  • Marleen Nunez
    Microbiology
    Harnessing Plants to Reduce Microbial Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    Summer 2022
  • Alexeya O'Brien
    Sustainable Food & Farming
    Managing Crabgrass for New England Grazing Systems and Hay Production
    Summer 2022
  • Hung Pham
    Food Science; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Potato Protein Aggregate Gels via pH-Temperature Route for Direct-Ink Writing 3D Printing
    Summer 2022
  • Yuting Pu
    Environmental Science
    Sequential Extractions for Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen in Bulk Soil and Mineral-Associated Organic Matter
    Summer 2022
  • Julie Sentman
    Environmental Sciences
    The Potential for Microplastics in Reclaimed Water and Residual Solids: A Study of Population Effect on Microplastic Concentration
    Summer 2022
  • Kelly Simpson
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Observation of pollen tube overgrowth in feronia and ralf mutants
    Summer 2022
  • Adi Manish Soota
    Chemistry
    Mapping microplastics on filter membranes using Raman microscopy: Capabilities and Limitations
    Summer 2022
  • Jack Soucie
    Natural Resources Conservation
    Wildlife Surveys at Solar Facilities: Guide to Recommended Methodologies
    Summer 2022
  • Timothy Tan
    Managerial Economics
    Using experimental methods to examine solar panel adoption using experimental economics
    Summer 2022
  • Ruichen Wang
    Environmental Sciences
    The effect of cover crop termination on the fate of cover crop root nitrogen
    Summer 2022
  • Nathaniel Wright
    Engineering
    Linear Urban Forests: Springfield, MA
    Summer 2022
  • Minting Zeng
    Plant & Soil Sciences/Environmental Science
    Effect of Nano-sulfur on Arsenate toxicity and accumulation in soybean
    Summer 2022
  • Aggelos Zymaris
    Biology
    Comparing Deposition Patterns and Survival of Fecal-Orally Transmitted Bee Pathogen on Two Chemotypes of Monarda fistulosa
    Summer 2022

Summer 2021

  • Ryan Baker
    Vet & Animal Sci
    New Moms Wellness Study
    Summer 2021
  • Environmental Science and Public Health
    Nitrogen Cycling in Wetland Plant Leaves: A Spectral Experiment
    Summer 2021
  • Angelina Cooper
    Microbiology
    Here’s the Dish: Epitheliocystis and Chlamydia in Fish
    Summer 2021
  • Emma Deily-Swearingen
    Natural Resource Conservation
    Does Larval Dispersal Limit Sesarma Range?
    Summer 2021
  • Henry Dionne
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Oil Yield and Quality Optimization of Camelina sativa Transformed with Avocado (Persea americana) PDAT1 and DGAT1 Genes
    Summer 2021
  • Vedang Diwanji
    Biology
    Effect of Chitosan on the microbiome of Musca domestica
    Summer 2021
  • Astrid D’Andrea
    Food Science
    Comparing the physical characteristics of plant-based and conventional Italian sausage
    Summer 2021
  • Hayley Green
    Microbiology
    Sticky Roots Change Rhizodeposition Quality and Quantity Leading to Variable Disruption of Mineral-Organic Associations
    Summer 2021
  • Eli Grigorian
    Sustainable Community Development/Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
    Urban Street Trees: Inventories, Organizations, and Long-Term Effects in Greenfield, Massachusetts
    Summer 2021
  • Justin Gullage
    Biology
    Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Cranberry Propagation
    Summer 2021
  • Kaleigh Hill
    Resource Economics
    The Drivers of and Barriers to Residential Solar Adoption
    Summer 2021
  • Environmental Science
    Salt Marsh UAS Study
    Summer 2021
  • Karen Huang
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Genetic Regulation of Awn Development in Brachypodium distachyon
    Summer 2021
  • Jaelyn Kassoy
    Sustainable Food & Farming
    Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) Against Plum Curculio (PC): Effects of Nematode Species, Application Rates, and Persistence
    Summer 2021
  • Jessalyn Kaur
    Biology
    MHC Class IIß Exon 2 Diversity in Fragmented Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Populations
    Summer 2021
  • Evan Krause
    Environmental Sciences
    Characterization of microclimate conditions and effects upon apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) modeling at Cold Springs Orchard (CSO)
    Summer 2021
  • Owen Kuklinski
    Chemistry
    A facile approach to detect plastic nanoparticles using Raman microscopy
    Summer 2021
  • Emil Mah
    Microbiology
    A High-Throughput System to Measure Beneficial Plant-Microbial Interactions
    Summer 2021
  • Thanga Aishwarya Mahendran
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Biochemical Analysis of Terpenes in Rice Blast Fungus
    Summer 2021
  •  Kyle Mastalerz
    Microbiology
    Understanding fungal wood decay: Determining the role of oxalic acid in the fungal ECM
    Summer 2021
  • Julia Mazzuchi
    Environmental Science
    Preventing Ornamental Introductions of Invasive Plants
    Summer 2021
  • Sarah McGaffigan
    Pre-Vet
    The identification of biofilms in flies
    Summer 2021
  • Regan Miller
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    CRISPR-Cas9- mediated gene knockout of defense response receptor in nitrogen-fixing legume model plant
    Summer 2021
  • Zoe Murphy
    Environmental Science
    Promoting Climate Adaptation and Watershed-Scale Collaboration in Massachusetts
    Summer 2021
  • Elsie Murphy
    Environmental Science
    Level of Resistance To Necrotrophic and Biotrophic Diseases in Grapes
    Summer 2021
  • Raina Naylor
    Public Health
    Cover Crop Seeding Rates and their Effect on Soil Health and Crop Production
    Summer 2021
  • Iris Park
    Nutrition
    Understanding the role of Turicibacter/Butyrate in intestinal tumorigenesis associated with obesity
    Summer 2021
  • Mildred-Maria Reyes
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Regulation of FERONIA/LLG1 in OG signaling for Root Growth in Arabidopsis
    Summer 2021
  • Isabella Santeufemio
    Biology
    Identification of Cranberry Bog Microclimatic Factors for Their Role In Fruit Quality
    Summer 2021
  • Biology
    Improving the Early Detection and Monitoring of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Massachusetts
    Summer 2021
  • Jordan Smith
    Plant and Soil Sciences
    Scouting and Monitoring for Vegetable Pests on Farms in Massachusetts
    Summer 2021
  • Nolan Stamborski 
    Horticultural Science
    Bursaphelenchus antoniae, A Potential Threat to North American Pinus Species
    Summer 2021
  •  Maeve Stover
    Nutrition and Public Health
    Improving Food Access for Older Adults: The Lahey/New Entry Farmer’s Market Program
    Summer 2021
  • Sean Sullivan
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Exploring the Diversity of Peronospora belbahrii effector proteins
    Summer 2021
  • Fabian Suri-Payer
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Researching Chloroplast and Mitochondrial Small Heat Shock Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana
    Summer 2021
  • Jimmy Tran
    Environmental Science
    Applications of Selenium Nanoparticles in Agriculture
    Summer 2021
  • Environmental Science
    The Fate of Cover Crop Nitrogen Across Agricultural Practices
    Summer 2021
  • Rachel Yost
    Biology
    The Effects of Cut Flowers at Farms on Bee Pathogens
    Summer 2021
  • Minting Zeng
    Environmental Science
    Identifying Drought Resistant Cool-Season Turfgrass for Reduced Irrigation Environments
    Summer 2021

Summer 2020

  • Summer Scholar 2020 Louisa Bachman
    Food Science
    Improving Access and Motivation for Small/Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Brett Barnard
    Natural Resource Conservation (IT Minor)
    Developing More Effective CAPS Metrics for Assessing Ecological Integrity of Salt Marshes
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Adriana Chiaramida
    Biology
    Comparative RNA-seq analysis of developmental double mutant gt1 ra3 and single mutant sts1 to determine GT1 repression patterns
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Danielle Dailey
    Sustainable Community Development, Geography
    Research of Adoption of a Racial Equity Impact Assessment in Springfield, MA
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Thomas Dugan
    Environmental Sciences
    Modeling the Middle Connecticut River Watershed
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Jessica Ellis
    Horticultural Science
    New England Grape Survey
    Summer 2020
  • CAFE 2020 summer scholar Ralph Ferrigno
    Environmental Science
    Cover Crops and the Fate of Nitrogen
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Neil Ford
    Environmental Science
    Nursery Catalog for Invasive Plants
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Qixiang  Gao
    Food Science
    Improving the Accuracy of Classification and Quantification of Saffron Adulteration by Data Fusion
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Asia Jimenez
    Microbiology
    Culture and Characterization of Epitheliocystis Agents in the aquaculture fish species
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Jeron Leblanc
    Geology
    Making and Monitoring Microclimates in the Wetland
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Amy-Mei Lynch
    Biology
    Determining the causal role of floral traits in transmission of a bumble bee pathogen
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Julia Muise
    Civil Engineering
    East River Data Analysis
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Benjamin Peters
    Biology
    Combining Genetic Datasets from Armored Scale Insects
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Ana Pardos Baco
    Nutrition Major in the Dietetics Track
    New Mothers Wellness Study
    Summer 2020
  • Sustainable Community Development
    Massachusetts 4-H STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Summer Virtual Exploration
    Summer 2020
  • CAFE 2020 summer scholar Melanie Sierra
    Animal Science
    New Moms Wellness Study
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Katie Tumang
    Biology, Art History
    Comparing defense pathways in human and plant systems
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Isaac Wolfson
    Environmental Science and Political Science
    Climate Change Adaptation, Peer Learning and Network Building
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 Emily Woo
    Nutrition
    New Mom’s Wellness Study
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Taariq Woods
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    Terpenes in Fungal Pathogens
    Summer 2020
  • Summer Scholar 2020 - Minting Zeng
    Environmental Science
    Application of copper-based nanoparticles as fungicides in agriculture
    Summer 2020