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What do cutting edge research, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and unparalleled access to professional scientists and engineers have in common? The AEOP High School Internship. Spend your summer in a university research lab or in one of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers through this unique internship opportunity. You will experience firsthand the innovation and research that is driving the future of our country. Do something meaningful this summer to prepare you for competitive college admissions and the next step in your STEM journey. Submit your application today for a chance to participate in the AEOP Internship Program. The impacts of this transformative experience will last a lifetime.
AEOP Internship Benefits
- Stand out from your peers by making the most of your summer. The experience of an AEOP internship looks good to college admissions officers.
- Be in the room where it happens. Apply classroom knowledge and feed your curiosity by immersing yourself in the research world. Not only will you be exposed to high-tech equipment and cutting edge techniques, but you will learn the sounds, smells, and the pace of the lab. Learn the culture of STEM.
- Mentorship is the special sauce. There is so much to learn from the people in the lab. As an AEOP Intern you will receive formal mentorship from a professional scientist or engineer. In addition to this, there will be multiple opportunities for you to learn from the STEM practitioners, of varying levels of experience, around you. Receive guidance and coaching and start building a network that will make all the difference in your STEM journey.
- Research that matters. U.S. Army-sponsored research addresses the Nation’s biggest challenges. An AEOP internship provides the opportunity to be part of the long history of discovery and innovation for the benefit of our country.
- Ongoing support. Connect with a community of like-minded peers, other AEOP interns from throughout the country in virtual office hours with Near Peer Mentors. Near Peer Mentors are just a few steps ahead of you. They provide “real talk” and answer intern’s most pressing questions. Take advantage of the AEOP’s ongoing webinar series that highlights hot STEM careers, research areas, and additional opportunities with the AEOP. Or, attend a workshop to build college-readiness and professional skills.
- Earn a stipend. Not only is participation in the AEOP free, all AEOP intern receive an educational stipend in recognition of their work.
Information for Applicants
- In collaboration with universities and U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers, the AEOP is proud to offer summer internships for high school students throughout the country.
- Internships take place onsite unless otherwise noted. (In the case of location closures due to COVID-19 restrictions, internships may be offered remotely or cancelled depending on individual location circumstances.)
- AEOP High School Internships are designed for commuters. Transportation, meals, and housing are not provided. It is important to keep this in mind when selecting locations in the application.
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, complete the AEOP High School Internships application, and submit recommendations (if required) by the due date in order to be considered for an internship.
- Locations may require that applicants meet specific age or grade in school requirements (not negotiable). Prerequisite coursework may also be required.
- In the effort to ensure equitable access to STEM education, some sites target participants from priority populations or military connected families.
- Please review the application FAQ for application tips and answers to frequently asked questions. We strongly recommend that you write the essay and gather materials (transcript, etc.) before starting the application.
- There is no application fee and participation in AEOP Internships is free.
- All interns earn an educational stipend in recognition of their participation. The stipend amount varies by internship location and program duration. If selected for the internship, information about the stipend will be provided in the award letter.
- More information about AEOP Summer Internships and the application can be found here.
Stay up-to-date with our application and future opportunities by joining our mailing list here.
Eligibility
All participants must be current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location.
In alignment with the federal government, AEOP supports diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM and is interested in broadening participation from priority populations. To support this effort, some (but not all) AEOP High School Internships have been specifically designed for participants from priority populations. (AEOP Undergraduate Internships are open to participants from all backgrounds. Candidates from priority populations are encouraged to apply.) The information provided by applicant, will be used both to statistically understand AEOP’s reach and to determine if you meet AEOP’s broad definition of priority populations. Later in this form, you will be asked for more detailed demographics. The information you provide will be treated as confidential and submission is voluntary.
For these specific sites, applicants must meet at least two of the criteria listed below:
- Military-connected, which may include:
- Military children: dependents of members of the Active Duty Armed Forces and Veterans.
- Military-connected: military children plus the dependents of members of the National Guard and Reserves.
- Economic: Family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level; those who qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FARM) programs; were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants; homeless; in foster care
- Racial and ethnic minorities that are historically underrepresented in STEM: Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, Black or African Americans, Latinx/Hispanic Americans, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
- Individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Individuals with English as a second language (ESL) or English language learners (ELLs).
- First-generation college students.
- Students in rural, frontier, or other federally targeted schools, such as title 1 schools.
- Females in STEM fields where they remain underrepresented (physical science, computer science, mathematics, and engineering).
Important Dates
Applications
Rolling basis
Interested in This Program?
If you are interested in this program email us or call 585-475-4529. We'd love to hear from you!
High School Internships ON THE BLOG
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators: Kierra McInnis’ Path to Empowering Youth
March 11, 2024
Read The StoryTempe, AZ
Site: Arizona State University
Description: High School Project: The student will be given reading assignments to introduce the topic area and assigned activities related to the UG tasks. These tasks will guide the student into understanding the basics of key material science and mathematical principles and their applications to engineering. The student will learn how to interpret test data and conduct statistical analysis. This will help foster a collaborative environment between the HS student and UG counterparts and provide insight into core concepts in mechanics of materials, such as how materials respond to loads and how damage and degradation of properties lead to failure.
Flagstaff, AZ
Site: Northern Arizona University
Playa Vista, CA
Site: Army Research Laboratories – ARL West
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Berkeley, CA
Site: University of California
Description:
Project 1: Laser cooling on a transition metal
The project we propose for a student to undertake is to ablate a block of metal using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser in room-temperature buffer gas that cools the ablated meal and prevents it from ballistally flying into the walls of the cell. In the process, students will learn about the process of modulation in spectroscopy. This project allows the student to choose different types of modulation from which they will develop an understanding of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, and the process of creating a phase loop lock (PLL) in order to achieve signal-to-noise to noise ratio. Additionally, students will be faced with challenges of broadening effects, including but not limited to Doppler broadening, pressure broadening, and transit time broadening. The end goal of this research/experiment will be to implement their discoveries on atomic physics into a running MOT, where students can witness the attempt of their transition metal being trapped through the process of laser cooling. The primary mentors will be graduate students Jackson Schrott and Scott Eustice. The student will present their results at the end of the program to the entire Stamper-Kurn research group.
Project 2: Analog Intensity Stabilization System
For this project, the student will create an analog intensity stabilization system. The first stage includes a photodiode and a transimpedance stage for optical power detection. In designing the circuits of each stage, the student will be guided by the requirements in the experiment, such as the desired bandwidth of the feedback circuit, expected range of optical power, etc. Throughout an experiment sequence, the optical power to be stabilized is expected to vary by two orders of magnitude or more, which proves challenging for AOM-based feedback systems. A previous design in the group that makes use of a logarithmic converter to linearize the closed-loop gain serves as a good starting point for the student to improve upon.
San Diego, CA
Site: University of California – San Diego
Description: In the project, we will focus on Discovering unknown symmetries from spatiotemporal data: Given rich spatiotemporal sensing data with unknown symmetries, we will develop DL frameworks that can automatically discover symmetry inductive biases from the data. Specifically, we will investigate adversarial training algorithms to discover the invariant sets from dynamical systems, Lie algebra convolutional networks to discover symmetry groups, as well as sparse regularization techniques to discover the intrinsic dimensions for efficient representation. We will work with video and trajectory data from cameras, LiDar, and navigational devices, using our symmetry-aware DL models as basic building blocks for dynamics learning and decision-making. We will demonstrate the practical values of our framework to solve challenging tasks including trajectory forecasting, motion planning, surrogate modeling, and video prediction.
Site: San Diego State University
Description: High school interns will work on spider silk collection, isotope labeling, and SSNMR data collecting with the assistance of a post-doc mentor, while the Undergraduate interns will work on isotope labeling and spider silk gland dissection to collect solution NMR data with the assistance of the staff research scientist.
New Haven, CT
Site: Yale University
Description: We seek students to perform numerical simulations to quantify the local stress anisotropy of frictional granular beds under different stress conditions for 10 weeks during the summer 2025. One undergraduate student will be responsible for quantifying changes in local anisotropy in response to sub-critical stresses applied in different directions in 2D. The other undergraduate students will extend these studies to 3D packings of frictionless particles. The high school students will develop DEM simulations to investigate the stress history of packings of frictional and non-spherical particles in 3D.
Gainesville, FL
Site: University of Florida
Description: Macromolecules are conventionally considered to be thermal insulators. Interns selected for this opportunity will work to challenge this historic paradigm. Specifically, high school and undergraduate students will work to (1) develop synthetic methods to produce thermally conductive polymers and (2) establish processing methods to produce thermally conductive polymer materials in technologically relevant morphologies (e.g. conformal films or monoliths). Throughout this work, the supported junior researchers will gain experience in polymer design, synthesis, and processing.
Chicago, IL
Site: ARL Central
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Champaign, IL
Site: Army Engineer Research and Development Center- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Description: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is an integral component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and helps solve our Nation’s most challenging problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. ERDC research laboratories focus on five major areas:
- Military Engineering
- Geospatial Research and Engineering
- Engineered Resilient Systems
- Installations and Operational Environments
- Civil Works and Water Resources
STEM student trainees for this position may be selected to work in laboratories at the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, MS. This student trainee position will provide the opportunity for development and training in a research and development environment. Assignments become more responsible as the incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. As a STEM student trainee, you will serve in a role in a professional discipline under close supervision with a mentor, team leader, and/or supervisor. Tasks will vary but may include the following:
- Preparing drawings, graphs, or charts using project data.
- Performing routine scientific and engineering computations using knowledge obtained from academic progress to date.
- Operating or adjusting various types of laboratory equipment and overseeing the function of the laboratory operation required.
- Collecting data for research purposes and using this data to prepare technical reports and publications with conclusions related to projects.
- Entering data into databases and tracking information to provide recommendations for continued project execution.
Undergraduates majoring in or planning to major in physical science, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics, data science, computer science, cyber security, or information sciences will be considered for an internship. Must have a 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Students must submit to at least a national background investigation (T1 Clearance) with a favorable outcome. High school students 16 years old and older.
Adelphi, MD
Site: Adelphi Laboratory Center
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Title: Detection of bioaerosol using polarized light scattering
Location: On-site
Site: ARL – Adelphi Laboratory Center
Description: There is a research opportunity for AEOP High School Internship Program in the Aerosol Research Team, Atmospheric Sensing Branch, Military Information Sciences Division, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory. The opportunity is to work in developing innovative real-time, in-situ point-detection systems for detecting, discriminating, and identifying biological and chemical aerosol particles from complex atmospheric aerosol particles using laser spectroscopic methods. Students accepted in the lab will learn the fundamental knowledge & devices about lasers, electronics, optical mechanics, aerodynamics, and how to use these instruments for environmental research. Applicants must be 16 years or older to apply.
Title: Graphene as Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices
Location: On-site
Site: ARL – Adelphi Laboratory Center
Description: The student will learn about the various aspects of supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries and conduct a comparative study on the performance between graphene-based devices and conventional counterparts. This project is part of an effort to establish a road map for strengthening domestic materials supply chain for energy storage applications. There have been claims that graphene, if made appropriately, can provide higher energy density in supercapacitors than the conventional material which is activated carbon. Graphene can also be used to replace graphite which is the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. While graphene, graphite, and activated carbon are all carbon materials, their morphologies are different and have significant impact on the device performance. This project will serve as an independent evaluation against the claims and provide the student an opportunity to learn about the various allotropes of carbon. Applicants must be 16 years or older to apply.
Gunpowder, MD
Site: U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense
Description: Interns will work one-on-one with mentors to develop a project that explores the health risks posed by chemical threats and/or medical approaches to combating them. They will do hands-on experiments that introduce them to common laboratory techniques in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacology. Interns will also participate in weekly seminars, where they will learn about the broad range of research that occurs at the USAMRICD. The internship will culminate in each student delivering a final presentation where they will share the results of their project with peers, mentors, and the Institute. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the apprenticeship. They must also be U.S. citizens and live or have accommodations within driving distance of Edgewood, MD. It is required that all apprentices be present at the USAMRICD for the full duration of the apprenticeship. Applicants with interests in chemical/biological is helpful.
Aberdeen, MD
Site: Aberdeen Proving Ground
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Ft. Detrick, MD
Site: United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
Description: Students will have the opportunity to work alongside subject matter experts who specialize in virology, bacteriology, and diagnostic studies to learn about how USAMRIID deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. Work in the laboratory includes exposure to fundamental principles that are necessary to safely operate in a BSL-2 laboratory. Students have the opportunity to learn from not only a scientist’s point of view but also a managerial perspective of the day-to-day operations that are necessary to conduct research at U S Army facility.
Boston, MA
Site: ARL – Northeast
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
West Point, NY
Site: United States Military Academy
Description: At West Point, research is organized and executed through centers and institutes. These centers and institutes and the Academic Research Division provide the infrastructure necessary to tackle the Army and nation’s most challenging problems. Ongoing research is focused on solving current and future Army challenges using a diverse, interdisciplinary team of experts.
Austin, TX
Site: ARL South
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Atlanta, GA
Site: Georgia State University
Site: Georgia Tech
Description: Students will manufacture and characterize origami structures. Students will also use origami simulation software (origamisimulator.org allows students to take data very quickly, while MERLIN and software developed within the group permit more specialized simulations). Students will also be exposed to the analytic theories and given chances to contribute to them.
Kennesaw, GA
Site: Kennesaw State University
Description: Interns will conduct research in the mathematical sciences related to fractals. They will develop new numerical methods to solve certain differential equations on fractals and see the connection between the differential equations and the scattering of electromagnetic waves by fractal structures. They will get to visualize the simulations they produce in the state-of-the-art Immersive Visualization Environment research supercluster lab, consisting of a dome shape display with a 5-meter diameter and 210-degree horizontal field of view. Students will also be exposed to other relevant scientific skills for competitive entry into STEM programs and careers, such as developing an effective research poster and delivering an engaging scientific presentation.
Site: Kennesaw State University
Description: For the undergraduate engineering student, this project provides a unique opportunity to develop hands-on expertise in cutting-edge technologies, such as EEG, ECG, and eye-tracking systems, alongside real-time data processing frameworks like Apache Kafka. The experience gained from integrating complex hardware systems, conducting rigorous calibrations, and ensuring precise data synchronization will significantly enhance their technical skill set, preparing them for careers in fields such as biomedical engineering, data science, and human-computer interaction. Furthermore, the practical knowledge of how to design and manage sophisticated experiments will strengthen their ability to undertake independent research, potentially leading to opportunities for advanced study or innovation in their future professional endeavors.
Research Triangle Park, NC
Site: Research Triangle Park
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
White Sands, NM
Site: White Sands Missile Range
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available. Applicants must be 16 to apply.
Site: DEVCOM – Analysis Center
Description: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC) informs Army modernization and readiness decisions by conducting thorough analyses enabled by tool development and data curation. The objective of the DEVCOM Analysis Center (DAC) Summer Internship Program is to provide the next generation of cyber leaders an opportunity to learn about the research process as it applies to the cyber domain as well as to allow high school students to provide meaningful contributions to real-world research efforts in cyberspace. The internship program is multi-week (12-14 weeks) starting late May 2025 and it ends in August 2025. Interns will do applied research and document some of the latest cybersecurity vulnerabilities including wireless and password cyber-attacks, both new and most common methods used for exploitation and mitigation. The Intern will ensure this applied research and documentation contains material from peer-reviewed and open-source publications, public knowledge databases, and community discussion groups related to these types of cyber-attacks. Additionally, the high school Intern will utilize the research and documentation to develop a training program on a topic that will be selected in coordination with the Lab Coordinator. Finally, the Intern will provide a report describing the procedures to execute and mitigate these attacks in a cohesive way. This site operates on a rolling application basis. Due to the high volume of applications, not all candidates may receive an immediate response. However, all applications will remain under consideration for future opportunities as they become available.
Vicksburg, MS
Site: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Description: Under the guidance of mentors, you will conduct research alongside staff and primary researchers. Through your participation in the AEOP program at ERDC laboratories, you will be introduced to a real-world laboratory environment as well as modern research technologies and techniques. This experience will inspire you to continue to pursue STEM disciplines as a career pursuit. Research Areas Includes:
- Military installation and contingency bases sustainability
- Enhancing socio-cultural understanding in theater operations
- Improving civil work facilities and infrastructure
- Resilient Facilities and Infrastructure
- Smart Sustainable Materials
- Installation Decision Support
- Urban and Stability Operations
Site: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Description: GSL is seeking students interested in pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Students will be exposed to our mission to create innovative solutions to support the nation’s security, defense, public safety, and infrastructure. Our work centers on a unique combination of laboratory experimentation, materials characterization, full-scale field testing, and high-performance computational analysis. We use these techniques to develop innovative solutions in the following areas:
- Force projection and maneuver support
- Force protection and weapons effects
- Civil works and infrastructure
- Operational support and technology transfer
Our research areas include:
- Airfields and pavements
- Concrete and materials
- Geotechnical engineering and geosciences
- Impact and explosion effects
- Mobility systems
- Structural engineering
- Structural mechanics
- Survivability engineering
Silver Springs, MS
Site: WRAIR – Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Description: WRAIR has two main centers – Center for Infectious Disease Research and Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience. WRAR’s mission: To discover, design, develop, and deliver globally impactful solutions for military-relevant infectious diseases, brain health, and performance optimization through innovative research. Visit Army Home (health.mil) for more information on the research done at WRAIR.
WRAIR provides undergraduate students seeking summer internship opportunities to participate in research at WRAIR while being mentored by experienced Army researchers. A wide range of opportunities are available, especially in the areas of infectious disease and brain health research. The 8-12 week internship concludes with submitting an abstract and a public poster presentation.
WRAIR also provides opportunities for academically advanced high school students to participate in hands-on research experiences in research laboratories under the direction of scientists-mentors during the summer. HSAP students gain scientific experience and present their research at the STEM Expo at the end of the summer program.
Ft. Collins, CO
Site: Colorado State University
Description:
Intern project 1: Modeling the impacts of chemical conditions and community composition on xylan degradation. The intern for this project will apply modeling tools to soil microbial metabolic models to explore and predict how the chemical condition of the environment and/or the composition of the microbial community influence the microbial metabolic interactions and the resultant xylan degradation performance. Interesting predictions can benefit the construction of synthetic communities for the ARO project and will be tested experimentally by other team members of the ARO project. Through this intern project, the intern will learn and appreciate how computational modeling can aid biotechnology research and predict microbial metabolism based on science and engineering principles.
Knowledge and skills the intern will learn: basics in microbial metabolism, microbial interactions and ecology, metabolic modeling, artificial intelligence (reinforcement learning), and Python programming
Intern project 2: Modeling the effects of regulatory circuits for xylanase expression on xylan degradation The intern for this project will apply the same modeling tools as in Intern project 1 but with a different goal of modeling the impact of different regulatory circuits for controlling xylanase expression, including for example constitutive expression, xylose-negative feedback inhibition, quorum sensing activation. This helps evaluate potential engineering strategies to be used for the ARO project. Interesting predictions will be tested experimentally by other team members of the ARO project. Through this intern project, the intern will learn and appreciate how computational modeling can guide engineering efforts. Knowledge and skills the intern will learn: basics in microbial metabolism, synthetic biology circuits in regulation of gene expression, metabolic modeling, artificial intelligence (reinforcement learning), and Python programming
Intern project 3: Modulating xylanase expression in Bacillus subtilis The intern for this project will modulate the expression of xylanase in B. subtilis using synthetic biology tools. Possible methods of modulation include constructing a library of differential constitutive expression levels using synthetic promoters and ribosomal binding sites, deregulation of catabolite repression, or a synthetic circuit based on xylose feedback or quorum sensing. The engineered B. subtilis strain will be tested in synthetic communities by other team members of the ARO project. Through this intern project, the intern will be introduced to the exciting field of synthetic biology. Knowledge and skills the intern will learn: basics in microbiology and molecular biology, synthetic biology approaches for modulating gene expression
Intern project 4: Characterizing xylan-degrading soil microbial communities The intern for this project will determine microbial functions and interactions by co-culturing soil microorganisms, the model organism B. subtilis, and/or its derivatives under selected xylandegrading conditions. The intern will learn to configure a liquid handling robot for high throughput culturing of microbial communities. The intern will characterize the growth, metabolite conversion, xylanase activity, and composition of a synthetic community of interest and its sub-communities. The data generated will be used for modeling the communities and designing engineering strategies by other members of the ARO project. Through this intern project, the intern will appreciate the complexity of microbial communities and interactions, and the opportunities in engineering them.
Ames, IA
Site: Iowa State University
Description:
Study 1: Design, synthesis, and grafting of 2D frameworks for detection and retention of CWAs and industrial toxins.
Study 2: Achieve the electrojet printing of activated and doped MOFs and functional materials on soft, nonconductive, and porous textile substrates.
Study 3: Identify the efficiency of filtration and decontamination for MOF-grafted fibers and textiles for CWAs and industrial toxins (in collaboration with Dr. Gregory Peterson at the Army Research Laboratory)
Specifically, the students will:
- Learn the principles of electrojet printing and its application in advanced materials research.
- Participate in the preparation and optimization of MOF-based inks suitable for e-jet printing.
- Investigate the interactions between MOF-based inks and textile substrates, focusing on ink adhesion, resolution, and electrical properties.
- Contribute to the development of scalable methods for printing functional materials on textiles.