The goal of the RIMES program is to markedly increase the number of underrepresented minorities and women investigators in the environmental sciences. To achieve this we established a far-reaching, international, environmental research effort for undergraduates to restore the ecosystem of Montserrat from the effects of the Souiffre Hills Volcano. The RIMES Program seeks applicants from community colleges and minority-serving undergraduate institutions. RIMES Scholars receive up to two years of intensive, interdisciplinary research training from an international corps of established researchers. A wide array of environmental research opportunities confers on RIMES Scholars a scientific foundation that is extensive in both depth and breadth. RIMES Scholars are strongly encouraged and mentored to seek admission to the doctoral programs at the institutions of participating scientists. In addition, an international, K-12 component fosters the development of research-based science curriculums for nontraditional students during their formative primary school years.

The RIMES Program is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation under the Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) Program (Grant Number IBN 0208517)

Photographs by Dr. Tim Mousseau

Photograph by Archie Paris

Photograph by Dr. Bruce Jackson