Undergraduate Fellowships for Minorities



	Enlarge Image Minority Student Fellow Alexis Jackson waits for a plankton net tow to finish. (Photo by Jayne Doucette, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

A research project is the heart of the Summer Student and Minority Fellowship. All fellows are expected to work on a project selected in collaboration with their sponsor(s) that will provide meaningful results in one summer’s work. Research topics span a vast spectrum of topics throughout WHOI’s science departments, and the Woods Hole Field Station of the United State Geological Survey (USGS).

The summer season is kicked off each year with a thoughtful and intriguing presentation from a member of our scientific or technical staff at the Annual Summer Student Banquet. Fellows have many occasions to interact with current MIT/WHOI Joint Program graduate students, from the Q&A session designed specifically for that purpose to the Ethics in Science Workshop. In addition, fellowship recipients have the opportunity to attend and participate in a busy schedule of talks, seminars and a hands-on, one-day, at-sea practicum cruise onboard the R/V Tioga focusing on data collection and sampling methods with advanced oceanographic technology and instruments. The cruise is especially designed for fellows and not only provides practical training but also brings the group together socially through a shared field experience.

Here's what some past fellows had to say:

“This summer I had such a wonderful research experience. This experience has definitely affected my career plan because this program allows me to explore many different fields in oceanography. So that I finally use [sic] this summer experience to decide the kind of research that I want to do in grad school.” SSF ’05

“The SSF/MF program affords an incredible opportunity to interact with potential advisors for graduate school, various lab groups, and other highly qualified staff and scientists at WHOI. I did not know which graduate program I wanted to pursue before I applied to the MF program last summer, but the Joint program is now #1 on my list. Now that I have spent two summers at WHOI, I feel that I am making a very informed decision and will be truly happy here as a graduate student.”

“I’m even more confident after this summer that being a marine biologist is what I want to do with my life.” SSF ‘05

“I learned more during this experience than I ever imagined I would. I will always look back on it as one of the most valuable and enriching summers of my life. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you!” SSF ‘06

Multimedia

Summer Student Fellow Audio Slideshow
In 2009, the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship program celebrated its 50th year of bringing bright, talented students to Woods Hole to learn more about ocean science, conduct independent research alongside world-class scientists, and get a better understanding of what studying for a Ph.D. and being a professional scientist are all about.

Summer Student Fellows Photo Gallery
Photos of Summer Student Fellows working at the Institution and at sea.

Additional Information

A Summer of Science on the Sea
WHOI Summer Student Fellowships offer a taste of research life. Article from Oceanus Magazine.
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Profiles of 2009 Summer Student Fellows
In 2009, twenty-eight Summer Student Fellows (SSF) representing 25 colleges and universities were chosen from a record high 241 applicants. Read descriptions of some of the fellows and the work they did.
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In an Octopus's Garden
Undergraduate students spend a summer getting hands-on oceanographic research experience and working with world-class scientists and engineers in WHOI's Summer Student Fellowship program. Read a blog by fellow Ellie Bors who wrote about her experience working with biologist Tim Shank.
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Last updated: December 17, 2009

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