I hope to gain an exemplary foundational career experience from the EKU REU program. I was initially attracted to this program because the theme of disturbance ecology complements my own research interests in anthropogenic influence and conservation biology. Through individual research this summer and the research of others, I hope to learn more about the impact of human activity on landscapes, how to approach restoration, and what sustainable and effective scientific study looks like. I am excited to live in Kentucky and learn about its ecology and sociology, having never been to the area before. In addition, I hope to gain practical field and laboratory research skills at Lilley Cornett Woods old-growth forest ecosystem and Maywoods Environmental
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My first project choice is spotted skunk ecology with Dr. Luke Dodd. The dramatic decline of the eastern spotted skunk demands ongoing investigation and I would be excited to be part of that project. I have a profound interest in mammology – I hope to study mammals in graduate school and as a professional researcher. Therefore, learning about and facilitating mark-capture methods would be a particularly useful skill to develop this summer. In addition, I hope to learn about other less invasive monitoring methods.
I have also chosen the wetland ecology project with Drs. Amy Braccia and Stephen Richer. I recognize the importance of wetlands in functional ecosystems and I am interested in studying this topic this summer. I have experience in conservation work though the Student Conservation Association and I would love to explore conservation from a more scientific standpoint in the future. Although I am interested in all aspects of this project, I am particularly passionate about investigating the difference in biological communities between wetland sites. I question how disturbed and created wetlands differ from undisturbed wetlands and what the best remediation and reclamation strategies are. I hope to learn more about ecosystem assessment in this project through a range of monitoring
My first project choice is spotted skunk ecology with Dr. Luke Dodd. The dramatic decline of the eastern spotted skunk demands ongoing investigation and I would be excited to be part of that project. I have a profound interest in mammology – I hope to study mammals in graduate school and as a professional researcher. Therefore, learning about and facilitating mark-capture methods would be a particularly useful skill to develop this summer. In addition, I hope to learn about other less invasive monitoring methods.
I have also chosen the wetland ecology project with Drs. Amy Braccia and Stephen Richer. I recognize the importance of wetlands in functional ecosystems and I am interested in studying this topic this summer. I have experience in conservation work though the Student Conservation Association and I would love to explore conservation from a more scientific standpoint in the future. Although I am interested in all aspects of this project, I am particularly passionate about investigating the difference in biological communities between wetland sites. I question how disturbed and created wetlands differ from undisturbed wetlands and what the best remediation and reclamation strategies are. I hope to learn more about ecosystem assessment in this project through a range of monitoring