Overview

The Foundation hosts students and researchers who are at least in their final years of undergraduate studies, in a masters program, doing postgraduate work or somewhere in between. We are looking for people with energy and initiative to conduct independent research on topics of their choice. Due to the multidisciplinary approach of the Foundation’s work it makes the perfect site for students with multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary interests to do research.

Here are a few potential areas of research:

  • Cataloging frog species
  • Cataloging any set of species
  • Studying any of the frog species
  • Studying the endangered Andean marsupial tree frog
  • Studying the endangered spectacled bear
  • Studying Zuleta’s impact on the watershed and its importance to the surrounding cities

While developing an idea for the research proposal please feel free to contact us (info@haciendazuleta.com) and discuss your interests and potential research ideas.

Intern Activities

Interns will be supported in their day to day research by two on-site biologists and will be mentored by a faculty member from either Universidad San Francisco de Quito (www.usfq.edu.ec/) or La Católica (www.puce.edu.ec). Interns can meet with their faculty mentor via Skype or they can take the three hour bus trip to Quito.

Interns will be responsible for designing their own research and work schedule. Each intern will therefore have a different daily and weekly schedule. It is estimated that most projects will last between three and six months, but we expect each project to have its own timeframe.

By the end of the intern’s time with us they will be expected to have produced a poster presentation and a paper/article. Interns will be asked to leave a copy of their work with the Foundation so guests of the Hacienda can review their work and so future interns can build on what has already been discovered. Interns will also deliver at least one presentation on their findings at a venue appropriate to their project. The presentations may be at a university, in the community, etc.

Management skills can be acquired if interns decide to enlist the help of local students or Condor Huasi Interns. Condor Huasi Interns are mostly undergraduate students who stay with the Foundation for about a month working with our captive condor breeding program.

Independent Research Interns are welcome to help with the condor program and may be asked to participate in community service, such as, helping the after-school program put on special events.

For more information about accomdations, etc – https://www.idealist.org/view/internship/t3fdN5Xgjh8d/

Websites & Videos

For more information about Fundación Galo Plaza Lasso and Hacienda Zuleta please check out these links:

Our website – https://fundaciongaloplazalasso.org/en/

Facebook – www.facebook.com/pages/Fundaci%C3%B3n-Galo-Plaza-Lasso/469766279719606

The hacienda who houses us – https://zuleta.com

Videos:

Zuleta – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSlBExobEqo

Condors (8:40) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CPHAhsXWSA