UGA’s NSF Graduate Research Fellow Courtney Werner has received a $52,718 NSF INTERN Supplemental Grant for an internship with US Geological Survey (USGS) at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis, Oregon. Werner received the five-year NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2022.
Werner is a masters student in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the Savannah Research Ecology Lab, where she is co-advised by Travis DeVault and Olin E. Rhodes. Werner investigates how altered environmental chemistry interacts with other stressors to affect wildlife health and ecological function at multiple scales. Her interests span the areas of ecotoxicology, disease ecology, soundscape ecology, and One Health.
“I feel very fortunate that the NSF has granted me the opportunity to supplement my academic training by conducting research within a federal agency,” said Werner. “During my time at the U.S. Geological Survey, I will work directly with federal researchers who are driven by a mission to understand ecosystems and the indispensable services they provide to the public. I will learn how to translate research into actionable evidence that informs wildlife management and policy, which will be instrumental as I move forward with a career in applied ecology.”
(photos courtesy of Courtney Werner)
“We are so proud of Courtney and excited that she has the opportunity to complement her UGA training with hands-on experience at USGS,” said Ron Walcott, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School. “Her success in securing this award demonstrates that the outstanding caliber of UGA graduate students is being recognized on a national level.”
The U.S. National Science Foundation INTERN program supports active NSF awardees by providing funding for research internships in non-academic settings. Each year, NSF supports more than 250 INTERN participants, enabling them to prepare for multiple career pathways by developing core professional competencies and skills.
Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Program. (n.d.) nsf.gov/eng/intern
