EcoRAMP Position - [GHG-0023-Willenbring-1]
Applications are open until the due date: 9:00 AM PST December 1, 2025 for Winter Quarter
The Ecopreneurial Research for Accelerating Market Pathways (EcoRAMP) program offers an experiential learning opportunity for Stanford undergraduates to work with a research team on an active Sustainability Accelerator project. Throughout the engagement, the student will learn about both the development of sustainable solutions and the approaches for their externalization for real-world impact. At the end of the quarter, the student will deliver a short presentation highlighting their key learnings. This program is funded by Stanford Ecopreneurship and the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator.
Project Tagline: Reworming as a novel carbon dioxide removal pathway
Primary Mentor(s): Jane Willenbring, Nate Looker
Project Overview:
Earthworms have untapped potential as a natural climate solution with few risks and myriad co-benefits. We are working to catalyze the climate benefits of earthworms at scale by restoring these humble creatures on working lands. To that end, we are developing strategies for enhancing the activity of native and naturalized earthworm species and quantifying climate-relevant earthworm functions in the lab and field.
The EcoRAMP Student Will Do:
The student will support a sub-component of the project based on their skills and interests, with responsibilities including:
- Lab culture of multiple earthworm species
- Processing and analysis of soil samples
- Measurement of greenhouse gas fluxes
- Field survey of earthworm populations
- Exploration of market for earthworm biostimulants/inoculation
- Gathering input data for TEA from literature and via interviews with stakeholders
The EcoRAMP Student Will Learn:
- Study design, execution, and data analysis methods for research in soil ecology
- Ability to frame research for broad audience & specific non-academic audiences, including stakeholders and potential customers
- Ability to identify knowledge gaps, both within scientific domains and in the market
Qualifications/Skills Required:
- Ability to work independently (but feel comfortable asking for guidance/clarification)
- Competence with data management in spreadsheets and/or scripting languages (R, Python)
- Genuine interest in learning about soil science and discussing land management with practitioners
Time Commitment and Compensation:
- By participating in EcoRAMP, you commit 10 hours per week per quarter. We are looking for anticipated engagement across multiple quarters through Spring 2026.
- The student will receive a $2,000 stipend per quarter. Please note: stipends, prizes, or awards to students who are receiving other forms of financial aid for any purpose are a form of financial assistance and may require adjustment to your scholarship eligibility and /or adjustment to your overall cost of attendance. The Financial Aid Office has the responsibility to determine if these funds can be applied to meet your Student Responsibility and if other adjustments are necessary. Please contact the Financial Aid office before applying to ensure you are fully informed before making any decisions about your experiential learning opportunity.
Eligibility:
- Stanford Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible for this position. Note: co-terms who are in their first 4 years or 12 quarters of attendance and have not conferred their undergraduate degree are considered undergraduate students and are eligible for this position.