Summer Scholars Program
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
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Plant and Soil SciencesCharacterization of Rice OsNIP1;1 for its Role in Arsenic Transport in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)Summer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceArbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Its Effects of Basil PlantsSummer 2023 -
ChemistryIncreasing the Detection Rate of Microplastics Using Organic Solvents To Expand Their StructureSummer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyInvestigating Catalytic Residues in Class I active site of a Fungal Diterpene SynthaseSummer 2023 -
NeuroscienceNew Phylogenetic Tools for Scale InsectsSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceWildlife Species Utilization of Solar Sites in MassachusettsSummer 2023 -
Math, minor NRCExploratory Mussel Survey in a New England Salt MarshSummer 2023 -
Sustainable HorticultureCharacterization of Cranberry Fruit Rot Fungi from MassachusettsSummer 2023 -
BiologyDivergent mycorrhizal lineages have different morphology and colonization rates in a model grassSummer 2023 -
Chemical EngineeringInvestigating the Effects of Photosynthetically Active Radiation on Chlorophyll Content in Butternut SquashSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceInvestigating the Effect of Polyethylene Microplastics on Lettuce GrowthSummer 2023 -
BiochemistryPlant microbe interactions between Brachypodium distachyon and Fusarium oxysporum across seven accessionsSummer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyInvestigating Effector Virulence Components in Plant PathogensSummer 2023 -
Natural Resources ConservationThe Significance of Brachypodium Distachyon in Agricultural ResearchSummer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyClass I (CI) Small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSPs)Summer 2023 -
Natural Resources ConservationHow Can We Inform Future Management for HWA Infested Hemlock Trees?Summer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUnveiling Conserved Evolutionary Branching Traits among Agricultural Grass SpeciesSummer 2023 -
Environmental Science and Plant & Soil ScienceSoil Microbial Community EvolutionSummer 2023 -
MicrobiologyEvaluating a Zebrafish Model to Determine The Etiology of EpitheliocystisSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceInfluence of Management on the Fungal Microbiome of North American GrapesSummer 2023 -
BiologyQuantifying Relatedness of Green Sea Turtles in the Hawaiian IslandsSummer 2023 -
Biology and PsychologyRelated Functions of Signaling Proteins in Maize Stomata & Arabidopsis RootsSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceCost Benefit Analysis of Pollinator-Friendly and Conventional Solar DevelopmentSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceMass ECAN Peer Learning Program PilotSummer 2023 -
BiologyTRPM7 Expression and Localization in Bovine Oocytes, Cumulus Cells, and SpermSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceFire History Reconstruction of Southeastern Massachusetts: Foothills Preserve, Plymouth, MASummer 2023 -
BiologyCrithidia Bombi Presence and Prevalence in Solitary Bee SpeciesSummer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCharacterization of Pollen-predominant RALFsSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceExploring Crabgrass Varieties as Innovative New England Forage CropsSummer 2023 -
Environmental ScienceModeling Food, Water, and Energy Nexus in The Connecticut River WatershedSummer 2023 -
Biology and Environmental ScienceUsing a Community Physiology Approach to Understand Vulnerability to Climate Warming on New England Rocky ShoresSummer 2023 -
Natural Resources ConservationArtificial Reef Monitoring in Nantucket Sound using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV)Summer 2023 -
Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyDeleting Nodule Specific Genes Using CRISPR-Cas9 to Understand Genes Involved in Symbiotic Nitrogen FixationSummer 2023
Summer 2022
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NutritionA Nutritional Approach to Mitigate HIV Viral Load: dietary assessment toolsSummer 2022 -
Plant and Soil SciencesWhat Can We Learn From Housefly Saliva?Summer 2022 -
Animal Science4-H Youth Programming Promotes the 5 C’s of the Positive Youth Development TheorySummer 2022 -
BiologyExamining Biotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogen Resistance in GrapesSummer 2022 -
Plant and Soil Sciences and Horticultural SciencesPest control using insect-eating nematodes as the model systemSummer 2022REEU Program -
Urban Geography and French StudiesPotential for Solar PV on MA Highway Sound BarriersSummer 2022 -
Journalism, Spanish, Sustainable Food & FarmingUnderstanding Microclimatic Factors of Cranberry Bogs to Improve Fruit QualitySummer 2022 -
Environmental ScienceManaging Emerging contaminants in the Connecticut River WatershedSummer 2022 -
Food ScienceExamining baicalein, a type of flavonoid, on Caenorhabditis elegans for anti-obesity effectsSummer 2022 -
Animal ScienceBovine Sperm Ca2+ Signaling and Energy Pathways in Basic Science and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)Summer 2022 -
MicrobiologyThe effect of mechanical stimulation on crown root development in the model grass Brachypodium distachyonSummer 2022 -
Natural Resources ConservationDitch Severity and Vegetative Class at the Peggotty Salt MarshSummer 2022 -
Natural Resources Conservation & Sustainable Food and FarmingPear psylla management via strategic waterspout pruningSummer 2022REEU Program -
MicrobiologyInvestigating the Potential of Tulane Virus, a Human Norovirus Surrogate, to Develop Enhanced Recalcitrance After Serial Subfatal Heat TreatmentsSummer 2022 -
Forest EcologyQuantifying 40 years of forest dynamics in UMass experimental forestsSummer 2022 -
Natural Resources ConservationDetermining Phylogeny of Salminus brasiliensis Using COI GeneSummer 2022 -
Political SciencePractical English Course Survey for Hispanic Migrant WorkersSummer 2022REEU Program -
Biochemistry and Food ScienceEffects of Jasmonic Acid on Cherry Tomato Fruit QualitySummer 2022REEU Program -
Animal ScienceThe Use of Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) to Treat Antimicrobial Resistant Infections in MaresSummer 2022 -
Plant & Soil SciencesNutrient and water stress alters Avena sativa disruption of soil carbon storage potentialSummer 2022 -
Sustainable Food and FarmingInsect-Eating Fungi Present in the Soil of Massachusetts OrchardsSummer 2022REEU Program -
BiologySpecies Delimitation in a Highly polyphagous Scale Insect species complexSummer 2022 -
BiologyDetection of abs1 in Zea maysSummer 2022 -
Environmental ScienceSalt Marsh Working Group Project ViewerSummer 2022 -
Resource EconomicsLobster Bait Project: Refining Carrageenan Based Alternative Lobster BaitSummer 2022 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyUnique Expansion of PARP Family Proteins in the Fusarium oxysporum species complexSummer 2022 -
Environmental SciencesThe Range Expansion of Minuca pugnax into the Gulf of MaineSummer 2022 -
BiologyUnderstanding an Agriculturally Important Grass Trait With CRISPRSummer 2022 -
MicrobiologyHarnessing Plants to Reduce Microbial Greenhouse Gas EmissionsSummer 2022 -
Sustainable Food & FarmingManaging Crabgrass for New England Grazing Systems and Hay ProductionSummer 2022 -
Food Science; Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyPotato Protein Aggregate Gels via pH-Temperature Route for Direct-Ink Writing 3D PrintingSummer 2022 -
Environmental ScienceSequential Extractions for Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen in Bulk Soil and Mineral-Associated Organic MatterSummer 2022 -
Environmental SciencesThe Potential for Microplastics in Reclaimed Water and Residual Solids: A Study of Population Effect on Microplastic ConcentrationSummer 2022 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyObservation of pollen tube overgrowth in feronia and ralf mutantsSummer 2022 -
ChemistryMapping microplastics on filter membranes using Raman microscopy: Capabilities and LimitationsSummer 2022 -
Natural Resources ConservationWildlife Surveys at Solar Facilities: Guide to Recommended MethodologiesSummer 2022 -
Managerial EconomicsUsing experimental methods to examine solar panel adoption using experimental economicsSummer 2022 -
Environmental SciencesThe effect of cover crop termination on the fate of cover crop root nitrogenSummer 2022 -
EngineeringLinear Urban Forests: Springfield, MASummer 2022 -
Plant & Soil Sciences/Environmental ScienceEffect of Nano-sulfur on Arsenate toxicity and accumulation in soybeanSummer 2022 -
BiologyComparing Deposition Patterns and Survival of Fecal-Orally Transmitted Bee Pathogen on Two Chemotypes of Monarda fistulosaSummer 2022
Summer 2021
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Vet & Animal SciNew Moms Wellness StudySummer 2021 -
Environmental Science and Public HealthNitrogen Cycling in Wetland Plant Leaves: A Spectral ExperimentSummer 2021 -
MicrobiologyHere’s the Dish: Epitheliocystis and Chlamydia in FishSummer 2021 -
Natural Resource ConservationDoes Larval Dispersal Limit Sesarma Range?Summer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyOil Yield and Quality Optimization of Camelina sativa Transformed with Avocado (Persea americana) PDAT1 and DGAT1 GenesSummer 2021 -
BiologyEffect of Chitosan on the microbiome of Musca domesticaSummer 2021 -
Food ScienceComparing the physical characteristics of plant-based and conventional Italian sausageSummer 2021 -
MicrobiologySticky Roots Change Rhizodeposition Quality and Quantity Leading to Variable Disruption of Mineral-Organic AssociationsSummer 2021 -
Sustainable Community Development/Landscape Architecture and Regional PlanningUrban Street Trees: Inventories, Organizations, and Long-Term Effects in Greenfield, MassachusettsSummer 2021 -
BiologyEffect of Plant Growth Regulators on Cranberry PropagationSummer 2021 -
Resource EconomicsThe Drivers of and Barriers to Residential Solar AdoptionSummer 2021 -
Environmental ScienceSalt Marsh UAS StudySummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyGenetic Regulation of Awn Development in Brachypodium distachyonSummer 2021 -
Sustainable Food & FarmingEvaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) Against Plum Curculio (PC): Effects of Nematode Species, Application Rates, and PersistenceSummer 2021 -
BiologyMHC Class IIß Exon 2 Diversity in Fragmented Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) PopulationsSummer 2021 -
Environmental SciencesCharacterization of microclimate conditions and effects upon apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) modeling at Cold Springs Orchard (CSO)Summer 2021 -
ChemistryA facile approach to detect plastic nanoparticles using Raman microscopySummer 2021 -
MicrobiologyA High-Throughput System to Measure Beneficial Plant-Microbial InteractionsSummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiochemical Analysis of Terpenes in Rice Blast FungusSummer 2021 -
MicrobiologyUnderstanding fungal wood decay: Determining the role of oxalic acid in the fungal ECMSummer 2021 -
Environmental SciencePreventing Ornamental Introductions of Invasive PlantsSummer 2021 -
Pre-VetThe identification of biofilms in fliesSummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyCRISPR-Cas9- mediated gene knockout of defense response receptor in nitrogen-fixing legume model plantSummer 2021 -
Environmental ScienceLevel of Resistance To Necrotrophic and Biotrophic Diseases in GrapesSummer 2021 -
Environmental SciencePromoting Climate Adaptation and Watershed-Scale Collaboration in MassachusettsSummer 2021 -
Public HealthCover Crop Seeding Rates and their Effect on Soil Health and Crop ProductionSummer 2021 -
NutritionUnderstanding the role of Turicibacter/Butyrate in intestinal tumorigenesis associated with obesitySummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyRegulation of FERONIA/LLG1 in OG signaling for Root Growth in ArabidopsisSummer 2021 -
BiologyIdentification of Cranberry Bog Microclimatic Factors for Their Role In Fruit QualitySummer 2021 -
BiologyImproving the Early Detection and Monitoring of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in MassachusettsSummer 2021 -
Plant and Soil SciencesScouting and Monitoring for Vegetable Pests on Farms in MassachusettsSummer 2021 -
Horticultural ScienceBursaphelenchus antoniae, A Potential Threat to North American Pinus SpeciesSummer 2021 -
Nutrition and Public HealthImproving Food Access for Older Adults: The Lahey/New Entry Farmer’s Market ProgramSummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyExploring the Diversity of Peronospora belbahrii effector proteinsSummer 2021 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyResearching Chloroplast and Mitochondrial Small Heat Shock Proteins in Arabidopsis thalianaSummer 2021 -
Environmental ScienceApplications of Selenium Nanoparticles in AgricultureSummer 2021 -
Environmental ScienceThe Fate of Cover Crop Nitrogen Across Agricultural PracticesSummer 2021 -
BiologyThe Effects of Cut Flowers at Farms on Bee PathogensSummer 2021 -
Environmental ScienceIdentifying Drought Resistant Cool-Season Turfgrass for Reduced Irrigation EnvironmentsSummer 2021
Summer 2020
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Food ScienceImproving Access and Motivation for Small/Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with the Food Safety Modernization ActSummer 2020 -
Natural Resource Conservation (IT Minor)Developing More Effective CAPS Metrics for Assessing Ecological Integrity of Salt MarshesSummer 2020 -
BiologyComparative RNA-seq analysis of developmental double mutant gt1 ra3 and single mutant sts1 to determine GT1 repression patternsSummer 2020 -
Sustainable Community Development, GeographyResearch of Adoption of a Racial Equity Impact Assessment in Springfield, MASummer 2020 -
Environmental SciencesModeling the Middle Connecticut River WatershedSummer 2020 -
Horticultural ScienceNew England Grape SurveySummer 2020 -
Environmental ScienceCover Crops and the Fate of NitrogenSummer 2020 -
Environmental ScienceNursery Catalog for Invasive PlantsSummer 2020 -
Food ScienceImproving the Accuracy of Classification and Quantification of Saffron Adulteration by Data FusionSummer 2020 -
MicrobiologyCulture and Characterization of Epitheliocystis Agents in the aquaculture fish speciesSummer 2020 -
GeologyMaking and Monitoring Microclimates in the WetlandSummer 2020 -
BiologyDetermining the causal role of floral traits in transmission of a bumble bee pathogenSummer 2020 -
Civil EngineeringEast River Data AnalysisSummer 2020 -
BiologyCombining Genetic Datasets from Armored Scale InsectsSummer 2020 -
Nutrition Major in the Dietetics TrackNew Mothers Wellness StudySummer 2020 -
Sustainable Community DevelopmentMassachusetts 4-H STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Summer Virtual ExplorationSummer 2020 -
Animal ScienceNew Moms Wellness StudySummer 2020 -
Biology, Art HistoryComparing defense pathways in human and plant systemsSummer 2020 -
Environmental Science and Political ScienceClimate Change Adaptation, Peer Learning and Network BuildingSummer 2020 -
NutritionNew Mom’s Wellness StudySummer 2020 -
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyTerpenes in Fungal PathogensSummer 2020 -
Environmental ScienceApplication of copper-based nanoparticles as fungicides in agricultureSummer 2020
