Advanced Study Institute: Field Studies of Convection in Argentina
IRES ASI-FSCA: An International Field Campaign Research Opportunity
The NSF-sponsored International Research Experience for Students (IRES) Advanced Study Institute - Field Studies of Convection in Argentina (ASI-FSCA) program provides an opportunity for U.S. graduate students to participate in an international research and educational experience during the RELAMPAGO (Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, And Mesoscale/microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations) field campaign in Cordoba, Argentina in Fall 2018. This region arguably has among the most intense convective systems in the world with respect to the frequency of large hail, high storm tops, and extreme lightning activity, yet the processes that give rise to such extremes are unclear because of a scarcity of observations.
The ASI-FSCA program is a 21-day program from 30 October - 19 November 2018. The ASI program will provide a dynamic and highly collaborative research experience by focusing on five key elements: (1) intensive field research with active field campaign instrumentation platforms under the guidance of the instrument PIs; (2) recruitment of a diverse set of graduate students who would not otherwise have opportunities to participate in intensive field research; (3) an ASI curriculum focused on scientific understanding of cloud and mesoscale processes of the atmosphere and professional/academic development topics; (4) outreach to local K-12 schools and organized cultural activities; and (5) building a collaborative international research network between the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil to promote weather and climate research. These five elements serve to increase motivation and improve self-confidence of students to participate in scientific research and field work with goals of increasing retention in STEM graduate programs and advancing the careers of students from underrepresented groups. The experience for participating advanced graduate students is intentionally designed by the multi-cultural and international ASI organizing committee to develop a wide variety of professional skills to prepare the students for the transition to their careers. The ASI-FSCA field experiences and curriculum will be coordinated by international and U.S.-based atmospheric scientists involved in RELAMPAGO. This opportunity is pending final NSF approval.
Student participants will have all travel expenses covered, including airfare, lodging, per diem, and ground transportation.
Participation Requirements
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Permanent Resident
- Must be a graduate student at a U.S. institution
- Must be enrolled as a graduate student in good standing in a STEM or related discipline in Fall 2018
- Must have a valid passport that does not expire before January 2019
- Be willing to travel internationally and collaborate with an international research team
- Be amenable and adaptable to potentially harsh field conditions, including extreme weather. Students with disabilities will be accommodated with adaptive field experiences and are encouraged to apply.
- Commit to engaging in meaningful research for the duration of the ASI-FSCA program; additional commitments after the conclusion of the research experience will be time and funding dependent
- The ASI encourages applications from individuals who are members of a group that is historically underrepresented in the atmospheric and related sciences, including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, female, first generation college students, and students with disabilities. The ASI welcomes LGBT students.
Application
Interested students should fill out this application. All application materials must be received by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on 13 July 2018 for full consideration. If you need an extension on the deadline or if you have any questions about the ASI, please email Dr. Kristen Rasmussen at kristenr@rams.colostate.edu.