Ashland University Student Receives Summer Research Internship at Michigan State

4/4/13 - ASHLAND, Ohio - Josh Allman of Pataskala, OH, was one of 15 undergraduate students chosen nationwide to take part in a summer research internship at Michigan State this coming summer. Allman, who is a 2010 graduate of Watkins Memorial High School, is majoring in biotechnology at Ashland University.

The summer research internship at Michigan State is a 10-week program that is funded by the National Science Foundation (NFS) and allows students to conduct research in the area of plant genomics. Projects focus on understanding the basic biology and genetics of plants, work with agriculturally important plants like tomatoes and methods for developing biofuels. Allman has not yet been assigned what he will be working on but states he could be researching anything from tomato ripening to cyanobacteria biology.

“It's a great feeling to have been selected,” said Allman. “After three years and about two dozen attempts to get into programs like this, to have finally been accepted gives me an incredible feeling of relief and accomplishment.”

Allman found this summer program on the NFS’s website. To apply for this, Allman had to send in an application, a resume, a transcript and a letter of recommendation from a professor. He also included a one-page personal statement explaining his career goals and how participation in their program would help him achieve those goals.

Students who participate in the program receive a $5,000 stipend and free room and board. They also have the opportunity to attend weekly seminars and pizza lunches with the program’s faculty and graduate students. The program culminates in a presentation given by each student on their work.

“I am thrilled and extremely grateful to have been accepted into this program: I have been blessed with an incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to see where it leads,” said Allman.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.