Feature News

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), the premier national resource for chemical and biological defense, is currently accepting applications for a new summer internship program established in response to a recent decline in the number of minorities pursuing careers in science and engineering.

The Minority Undergraduate Summer Internship Program (MUSIP), established by the ECBC's Diversity Advisory Committee in 2008, aims to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to enhance their education by working with top scientists and engineers on challenging research projects in support of the nation's defense

"ECBC's workforce is our greatest asset and as such, we are committed to making the Center the place where the best people want to work," said ECBC Technical Director Rick Decker. "Through our presence in the community and our commitment to educational outreach programs that stress the importance of science, math and engineering, ECBC strives to increase its diversity through internships, mentoring and by developing existing relationships with our local colleges and universities."

African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native-American college sophomores and juniors majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, occupational safety, physical science, physics or related disciplines at four-year colleges are all eligible to submit a MUSIP application for the 2009-2010 academic year. Those accepted into MUSIP are eligible to receive up to $2,400 a month depending on their level of education.

Over the course of 10 weeks, MUSIP will provide students with limited engineering and applied research experience the opportunity to participate in integrated science, technology and engineering solutions. Selected students, chosen to work collaboratively with an ECBC mentor to conduct science and engineering research, will present their results or findings during the final week of their internship.

Organizers believe that a successful inaugural session means that MUSIP will impact much more than the future scientists and engineers passing through ECBC this summer.

"Our nation is enriched with people from different cultures, with varying perspectives and ideas," Decker said. "ECBC's leadership and workforce strive to live the Army values: Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. In order to truly embrace those values and strengthen our organization, we are committed to implementing diversity programs such as MUSIP."

Applicants must plan to reside within a commutable distance of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for the duration of the internship. Participants will be selected based on academic records, recommendations, engineering and compatibility of background with applied research programs at ECBC.

The application deadline for MUSIP is Monday, March 2, with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education serving as administrator and manager of the application process. For guidelines or more information, contact Kim Myers at 410-306-9205 or visit www.orau.org/maryland/participants/apply.htm for an online application.

ECBC is the Army's principal research and development center for chemical and biological defense technology, engineering and field operations. ECBC has achieved major technological advances for the warfighter and for our national defense, with a long and distinguished history of providing the Armed Forces with quality systems and outstanding customer service. ECBC is a US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command laboratory located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. For more information about the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, please visit our Web site at http://www.ecbc.army.mil or call (410) 436-3610.