Project Profile

Recognizing the seriousness of consequences of both accidental and deliberate biotic introductions, this Integrative Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) award promotes the development of the scientific basis of decision-making about introductions... more »

Recognizing the seriousness of consequences of both accidental and deliberate biotic introductions, this Integrative Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) award promotes the development of the scientific basis of decision-making about introductions of new species and genotypes, including how to prevent future detrimental introductions, and how to control harmful organisms already present. The overarching goal is to educate Ph.D. students to conduct research to improve ecological risk analysis and contribute solutions to problems affecting management of introduced species and genotypes worldwide. The education and training program establishes linkages between research and this type of decision-making. As students develop foundational knowledge and skills in ecological risk analysis, they will also gain practical experience in its application to real-world problems. These educational goals will be accomplished via: (1) a new curriculum and minor, (2) semiannual symposia and weekly discussions, (3) problem-solving practica with external partners, and (4) dissertation studies on IGERT research themes in collaboration with external partners.

Broader impacts include advancing the scientific basis of decision-making; and producing young scientists, with diverse cultural perspectives, who are uniquely and highly qualified to meet the challenges posed by introduced organisms. Curricular materials, developed from real-world scenarios, will help build professional capacity worldwide for analyzing risks associated with these introductions. IGERT is an NSF-wide program intended to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers with the interdisciplinary background, deep knowledge in a chosen discipline, and the technical, professional, and personal skills needed for the career demands of the future. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.

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