Please review the information about a summer research opportunity. This research project will be at Bamfield Marine Science Station (BMSC), BC. https://bamfieldmsc.com/

BMSC partners with the local community, First Nations and their networks in research activities that contribute to an understanding of marine biodiversity and its conservation. The green crab is considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment. It has few predators, aggressively hunts, and eats its prey, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes local species for food and habitat. The project proposes to use herring, salmon, and crushed green crabs as dietary options for green crabs. The data will inform best practices in assembling bait traps to increase efficiency in green crab capture.

Students will gain knowledge of Intertidal Ecology and Marine Ecosystems in this project. They will learn skills in research design, hands-on and lecture-based experience conducting flow-through feeding experiments and data analysis.

Number of participants: 8

Supervisor: Dr. Sara Smith Mt. Royal University; Calgary AB

McMaster Liaison: Dr. Sunita Nadella; Dates: June 16-30

Eligibility: Completed LEVEL II (by April 2024) in the Faculty of Science. Preference will be given to students who have taken courses in Animal Physiology; Fundamental Ecology; Ecological Indicators and Biodiversity.

Accommodation: Students will be housed in cabin style shared accommodation at BMSC. OUR will cover the cost of, accommodation, and associated research fees.

Travel: Selected students will be responsible for booking their own travels. The Student Success Centre will provide a travel stipend of $845.00 for each student to help defray the costs associated with travel.

If you are interested, please complete and submit this application by 9am on Monday April 8, 2024