YVCC Research Opportunity

During the first year of the program students gain research experience at YVCC with Dr. Heidi Shaw. Dr. Shaw is conducting ethological research with human primates. Students will learn basic observational techniques and assist with videotape analysis using computer applications. Students in this experience will take PSY 299 credits through YVCC. These credits will transfer to the PBE major at CWU (equivalent to PRIM 320).

CHCI Summer Research Program

CWU is affiliated with the world-famous Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI). The Institute is home to four chimpanzees who use American Sign Language to communicate with each other and with humans. Nearly three decades of scientific research have been carried out there, and the Institute has hosted more than 450 Earth Watch team members, 125 summer interns, and each year approximately 40 CWU student interns. CHCI provides an unprecedented opportunity for Bridges and other students to hone research skills while learning more about the husbandry of captive primates. CHCI staff excels in teaching and practicing humane, non-invasive research. Bridges students will have opportunities to participate in research involving live data collection observing the four resident chimpanzees. The Institute houses archival and videotaped data spanning nearly 30 years, and Bridges students can also use these data for research projects. As Assistant Director of CHCI, Dr. Jensvold oversees all of these activities.

Students during the summer between freshman and sophomore years will participate in the 10-week CHCI Summer Research Program. Summer interns are involved in the husbandry, care, and enrichment of the chimpanzees on a daily basis. The chimpanzees' needs come first, and everyone who is involved in the program participates in fulfilling these needs. Intern activities include cleaning enclosures, food preparation, daily enrichment, and observing the chimpanzees from an outer walkway when they are in their outdoor enclosure. Each Bridges student will spend approximately 15 hours per week participating in these care giving activities. The remainder of the week at CHCI will be spent participating in research projects for a total of 40 hours per week of laboratory experience.

Bridges students will be members of one or more research teams. Each team focuses on a particular research question. Students are responsible for the majority of data collection, data entry, and literature review. The beginning stages of the CHCI Summer Research Program involve intensive training in chimpanzee care and husbandry and in research methods for the projects. After several weeks, each intern becomes more autonomous and is responsible for his or her own progress in the research project, much like a graduate student. Students are supervised and mentored by faculty, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates. Each week, students meet with the mentors assigned to that particular research project. At the quarter's end, each student meets with the directors of CHCI to discuss his or her progress in research and husbandry training. The results of each research project may be presented at one of several different on- and off-campus conferences.

Bridges students will receive support for the CHCI Summer Research Program through this grant. They will also receive academic credit for Introduction to Primate Lab Procedures (PRIM 220), a two-credit course required for the PBE degree. Dormitories on campus provide housing and board for all CHCI summer interns (unless they prefer another living arrangement), which Bridges students will pay for from the funds allocated for the Summer Research Program. The peer mentor assigned to the Bridges student will assist in making living arrangements and will help the student settle on campus.