Intern: Research Undergraduates; REU

Pheronym Intern:
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) – Woodland, CA

Create the future of agriculture! Farmers can lose the majority of their crops without pest control. At the same time, there are concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of traditional chemical controls. These concerns have led to regulation and outright bans on specific pesticides around the globe. Farmers and society demand climate- and eco-friendly alternatives to control pests. Our company, Pheronym, turned to nature to win the battle against pests.

We chose pheromones, communication signals, to protect our crops. Pheronym uses nematode pheromones to control agricultural pests, providing climate-friendly alternatives to soil fumigants and improving soil health. In other words, Pheronym enables farmers to control pests in the soil using climate- and eco-friendly solutions.

Pheronym has turned to nature to win the battle against pests. We chose pheromones, which are communication signals, to protect our crops. Pheronym uses nematode pheromones to control agricultural pests, providing climate-smart alternatives to soil fumigants and improving soil health. In other words, Pheronym enables farmers to control pests in the soil using climate-smart and eco-friendly solutions.

As undergraduate interns at Pheronym, students will learn valuable laboratory skills to help them develop professionally. These skills include maintaining a professional lab notebook, participating in weekly laboratory meetings, managing nematode and bacteria cultures, performing aseptic techniques, assembling and disassembling a Distek bioreactor, operating standard laboratory equipment (i.e., pipettes, microscopes, autoclaves, laminar flow hoods, etc.), and much more. Additionally, students will learn to conduct literature reviews and devise experimental plans to develop critical thinking, data collection, analysis, and visualization skills.

• Degree focus in chemical engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, or related fields.
• Completion of general chemistry and biology laboratory courses.
• Experience operating pipettes, microscopes, and centrifuges.
• Must be comfortable working with live/dead insect larvae, nematodes, and bacteria cultures.
• Must be comfortable working at a microscope for extended periods.
• Excellent general mathematical ability and knowledge in computing rate, ratio, and percent.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively both independently and as a team member.
• Willingness to learn new techniques/skills to improve efficiency/integrity of work.

• In person internship is located in Woodland, CA.
• Part‑time flexible hours with at least 20 hours per week.

Pheronym is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.