Registration to become a host for the 2025 SZNet US & Chile Exchange Program is now open
Hosts can register on a rolling basis until October 1st, 2024. Learn more by clicking the link below!
SZNet Chile & US Exchange Program
A research opportunity to build international collaboration
2025 | USA and Chile
This application is now closed.
OBJECTIVES
To foster international collaboration and provide critical research opportunities for students and early career scientists
Description
DATES: Up to 28 days, between January and December 2025
WHAT: A month-long independent research opportunity for U.S. and Chilean based students or early career scientists (within 3 years of receiving last degree) with labs, observatories, field sites, or other scientific institutions with similar research interests goals in the partner country. This exchange will provide funds for these scientists to visit the host institution in partner countries for up to 28 days.
FUNDING: Participant support for travel, food, and lodging is available through SZNet which is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation AccelNet program under award 2301732. Funding is limited to 5 participants.
Regardless of whether an applicant is selected to receive funding, SZNet believes that meaningful collaborations between interested hosts and participants are still possible. After decisions are sent out we recommend that hosts and applicants discuss potnetial other funding options or collaboration oportunities.
GOALS: To develop and nurture an international and diverse network of early career scientists that is equipped to make the necessary breakthroughs in the study of subduction and foster international collaboration.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early career scientists (within 3 years of receiving your last degree) based or currently enrolled in U.S. and Chilean institutions interested in subduction zone science. U.S. based applicants are invited to apply to Chilean institutions, and reciprocally, Chilean based applicants to apply to U.S. institutions.
HOST AND PROJECT SELECTION: Researchers and institutions interested in hosting participants as part of this exchange have registered below (host registration open from July to October 1st, 2024). Applicants should reach out to the hosts that align with their research interests to define a project. Alternatively, if applicants already have a relationship with a researcher or institution in the partner country, they are welcome to apply to work with them directly. Each applicant must submit a letter of collaboration from their chosen host indicating that they have discussed potential projects together. Past experience shows that applicants who discuss projects with their host prior to completing the application fare better in the review process.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applications will open from October 1st through November 17th, 2024 (deadline extended) and will be accessible through the SZ4D website. The application portal will prompt applicants to discuss their proposed project, scientific interests, and their career trajectory and goals. The form will also require applicants to upload a CV (in a .pdf format) and a letter of collaboration from their chosen host institution.
Applicants can review the application questions and rubric prior to the application period here.
2024-2025 Timeline
Jul 1 - Oct 1
Host Registration Period
Hosts without an identified participant can register to be highlighted on the website prior to the start of the participant application period. Participants should peruse this list periodically and reach out to hosts they would like to work with.
Oct 1 - Nov 17
Participant Application Period
Participants can apply to work a host they have identified from the list below, or can apply to work with a host they already know. The deadline has been extended to November 17, 2024.
November
Review Period
Participant applications are reviewed by the Student Exchange subcommittee. Hosts and participant pairs will be notified of the outcome of their application.
2025
Exchange Period
SZNet will provide funding for lodging, food, and travel for to 28 days anytime in 2025. SZNet will also provide logistical and administrative support.
Host Institutions
Below are host institutions who are interested in hosting students and early career scientists as part of this program. Hosts are registering on a rolling basis from July until October 2024, so please check regularly to see an updated list.
Click on each host to see more information about their research interests and current projects.
Leoncio Cabrera | Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile
Leoncio is a Chilean seismologist working on the study of fault mechanics, volcanic processes and glacier dynamics. He earned his PhD at the Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre) in France, and, after graduating in 2023, he joined as a researcher at the Department of Geophysics of the Universidad de Chile. In my free time, he enjoys mountaineering and climbing.
Nathaniel (Nate) Klema is currently an Assistant Professor of Physics and Engineering at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. USA. His research focuses on the surface expression of persistent magmatism, and how topography can be leveraged to understand long-term magma dynamics. He is especially interested in developing surface classification methods based in formal surface theory to be used in geomorphic transport models in volcanic terrains.
Stephanie McNamara is a rising second-year geophysics graduate student working with Dr. Nathalie Vriend at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is passionate about the intersection of natural environments and human infrastructure and her thesis work will be on dune migration. In addition to (geo)physics, Stephanie loves art, animals, and the great outdoors.
Javier Ojeda is a Geophysicist with a BSc and MSc degree, currently pursuing a PhD in Earth Sciences at the Universidad de Chile and the Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris. Their recent research focuses on understanding fault slip dynamics, leveraging seismological and geodetic observations. In his spare time, he loves playing basketball, going to the sea, and volunteering with the NGO Fundación Geonautas. More info can be found at his research site.
Flavia Rojas Guzmán is a Geotechnical Civil Engineer who recently finished her Master's in Geosciences, where she worked researching the processes that trigger changes in eruptive styles in one of the many active volcanoes in the Andes: Nevados de Chillán. Now she is still working on this volcano, as a research assistant for a FONDECYT project that addresses the nature of fault intersections and their role in magma migration within the shallow crust during the different stages of the subduction seismic cycle. One of the ways they are studying this is through numerical modelling, which she came to learn on my exchange at The Ohio State University, working with Ashley Griffith. She is very happy and grateful for the opportunity. She strongly believes that international collaboration is key in scientific research, as it allows scientists to produce better results and move forward more creatively in answering our scientific questions.