Annual Research Report Form

Opportunities for Undergraduates

Station Facilities - Labs, Equipment, Field Environments

Research on the Wilderness Conservancy at Mountain Lake

The station supports a summer population of 60 -100 students, researchers and their families. Visiting scientists conduct research in plant and animal population biology, behavioral ecology, life history evolution, community ecology, ecological genetics, biosystematics, epidemiology, conservation biology, and the physiology of behavior.  Many research programs are long-term, resulting in numerous publications, and are often funded by the NSF.  Biologists interested in field studies are encouraged to consider Mountain Lake as a home for their research.  Some financial assistance is available to assist graduate students and faculty in starting research projects at the Station.

There are many opportunities for undergraduates to serve as field and laboratory assistants to graduate students and faculty conducting research at the station. Some positions are volunteer; others are paid. Our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program offers paid fellowships for students to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

General Information for Researchers -

All researchers should complete an On-line Research Application and a Research Report each year.  Applications for Research Fellowships are due by March 15.  See the Fees page for room and board expenses.

Projects will be assigned lab space in accordance with their needs and will have full use of all the station facilities, equipment and computer network services.  P.I.s are encouraged to contact the Station well in advance to confirm equipment availability and to make any special arrangements for facilities use.  Graduate students conducting their own research will be assigned a shared lab space and will have the same access to station resources as P.I.s. 

Research Fellowships for up to $2,000 are available for pre- and postdoctoral researchers. See the On-Line Research Application.  

MLBS Acknowledgement: 
MLBS asks all individuals and institutions that conduct research at the station or use station facilities to please follow the acknowledgment policy outlined below.

Policies, Regulations, Permits, Risk Notification -

Station Handbook:
All station users are required to be familiar with and adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the MLBS Users Handbook.

Notification of Risks and User Liability Waiver:
Certain known and unknown risks are associated with the use of field stations. UVA's Office of Risk Management requires us to post notification of certain risks and liability statements.

• "General Information on Risks . . . "
• All station users are required to complete the on line Liability Waiver (click here or use side-bar button).
• MLBS Disaster / Emergency Evacuation Plan
• Public Statement of Field Station User Assumption of Risk and Liability

Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching:
All station users who use vertebrate animals in their work must posses a current UVA IACUC approved protocol, and/or adhere to the Policy on Field Stations. All animal users must also satisfy UVA Occupational Health regulations. The following links should be used to insure your compliance with UVA regulations and federal law. Please contact the station if you have any questions.

• UVA Researchers who use vertebrate animals must visit these three sites and satisfy all requirements.
  • UVA IACUC Animal Use Protocol Requirements
  • UVA Occupational Health and Safety Animal Use Requirements
  • UVA's Animal Handler Training Program. On-campus and on-line LATA training is available there.

• Non-UVA Researchers who use vertebrate animals must satisfy special MLBS Protocol and Occupational Health requirements - Click Here.
  
• All Animal Users should be familiar with these documents.
  • Summary and Introduction to Animal Care Use at UVA and Field Stations
  • Full UVA IACUC Policy on Field Stations
  • "General Information on Risks . . . "
    
• Other Useful Animal Use Resources -
• UVA IACUC Protocol submission deadlines (Monthly)
• NIH OLAW - Including "The Guide" - Current rules and information pertaining to research involving vertebrate.
  

University Policies and Safety Regulations:
Laboratory users must read and be familiar with University regulations and policies concerning chemical and lab safety.  You are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to policies outlined in the UVA Laboratory Survival Manual.

Permission and Permits:
Proposals for any work on MLBS or adjacent property must be submitted to the Director for approval before work begins.
State and/or federal permits may also be required and are the responsibility of the station user. MLBS may require copies of some permits.

Some permitting agencies currently overseeing work at MLBS:

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
4010 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 11104
Richmond, VA 23230-1104
804-367-1000
804-367-9147 (fax)
www.dgif.state.va.us/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
P.O. Box 779
Hadley, MA 01035-0779
413-253-8643
413-253-8424 (fax)
www.fws.gov/

Supervisor's Office, Forest Ecology Section
Jefferson National Forest
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019-3050
888-265-0019
540-265-5100
www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/index.shtml

United States Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration, Central Station
P.O. Box 28083
Washington, DC 20038-8083
800-882-9539
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html

Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Health Professionals, Board of Pharmacy
6603 West Broad Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23230-1712
804-662-7395
www.dhp.state.va.us/pharmacy


Links to Additional UVA Information and Regulations:

• Office of Environmental Health and Safety
• Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (information and complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, etc. )
• UVA Documents and Policies
• Faculty and Staff Resources
• Honor Code
• Undergraduate Record
• UVA Alcohol and Drug Policy
• UVA Academic Calendar