I’m interested in the natural world around me. I want to learn more about and help all the plants and animals around me. I am excited to learn more research skills and how experiments in nature can be run.
Statement
I am from Morris; I have grown up in west central Minnesota and lived here my whole life. I love getting to see the little parts of nature hidden between towns or fields that otherwise get ignored. I have been lucky enough to visit almost every state park in Minnesota. I loved seeing what the land has to offer and all its little secrets. Indoors, I love music, playing instruments, art, and of course playing with my pets. I have three dogs and two ball pythons who bring me joy and entertainment everyday. I think that if a person finds anything scary in nature it just means they don’t know enough about it, everything is worth learning about and understanding.
I am a rising senior at Northwestern University majoring in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science. This summer I am a field research technician with Team Echinacea!
Pronouns: She/her
Research Interests
I’m interested how we can help protect and conserve the amazing ecosystems and species found on our planet, especially working to prioritize this even in the face of expanding human development and economic and political pressures. I’m also interested in evolution and genetics and how species adapt and change over time in the face of stressors. I am fascinated by research, like that done by the echinacea project, can be used to inform large-scale decision making.
Statement
I’m from Blaine, Minnesota, and I’m super excited to be back in MN after spending a couple summers away. I love being outside, exploring new places, and taking slow moments to sit and observe wildlife. I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and playing guitar. I also enjoy reading and going to antique, thrift and record stores.
I am a field research technician beginning my career in ecology with the Echinacea Project! I recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where I studied environmental science with a focus on conservation biology.
Pronouns: he/him
Research Interests
I’m interested in restoration ecology and plant conservation, particularly in highly human-disturbed areas such as the agricultural lands of Douglas County, Minnesota where the Echinacea Project does its work. I plan to pursue a PhD in the near future, and am hoping to learn more about the research process this summer.
Statement
I grew up near Los Angeles, California, spending much of my childhood exploring the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. I like backpacking, surfing, doodling, dinosaurs, and native plants. Although I have often visited my family in the Midwest, I’ve never lived here, and I am excited to experience everything that West Central Minnesota has to offer!
Myself (Max), thrilled to be surrounded by vegetation
I am Highschool Research Intern this year, as well as, I am a freshly admitted student at the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, for a degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. I am excited to be on the team for a second time!
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Interests
This year I am excited to learn more about the prairie, seeing some of the same and different flowers, and working with a new team.
Statement
I have always been here in the area. I grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota. Some fun facts about me is that I am very involved in the arts. I throw pottery, I sing, and I have played violin for 10+ years. In the fall I plan to audition for the U of M Orchestra! An interesting fact about me is that I became an uncle at 3 years old.
I am a teacher at Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI as well as a grad student pursuing a doctorate in education from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI.
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Interests
I’m interested in developing a high school environmental studies curriculum focused on prairie fragmentation and restoration. My goal is to learn a range of field research and data collection techniques, as well as explore the investigative questions pursued by Team Echinacea’s graduate and undergraduate researchers. I hope to use these questions as anchoring phenomena to teach core concepts in ecology and environmental science. I also plan to bring these methods back to my students at Badger High School, where we have access to a nearby prairie in a state park that could serve as a local field site for authentic, hands-on learning.
Statement
I’m a high school science teacher at my alma mater, Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI, where I teach Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry. I came to education through a nontraditional path—earning a degree in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from UW–Madison and conducting research in the Bacteriology Department and Carbone Cancer Center before pursuing my Master’s in Education. I’ve now completed nine years in the classroom and am currently a doctoral student in K–12 Leadership at Alverno College. My dissertation focuses on advancing science literacy equity for historically marginalized students, including those with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students experiencing economic hardship. I also coach softball, advise the environmental club, and support my family’s restaurant in a variety of roles in Delavan, WI (Fire2Fork) where my husband is a chef!
I am a rising junior majoring in biological sciences at North Carolina State University.
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Interests
I am broadly interested biological research. I enjoy investigating how living things are affected by their physical environments, and especially how climate change is impacting them.
Statement
I have lived in North Carolina my entire life, and I enjoy adventuring out and experiencing new places. In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, observing wildlife, and cooking dishes from different cultures.
I am an undergraduate at the University of California Santa Cruz, where I’m going into my third year in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I am an REU intern with the Echinacea Project.
Pronouns: she/they
Research Interests
I am interested in plant community ecology and entomology–particularly plant-insect interactions. I am also very interested in gaining experience with restoration methods.
Statement
I’ve lived in northern California throughout my life, and currently go to school on the central coast, so I’m very excited to spend the summer exploring the prairie! In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, knitting, and juggling.
I am a freshman at the University of Minnesota Morris majoring in Chemistry.
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Interests
I’m interested in learning new abilities while also recieving new knowledge about the place that surrounds me. I think is very important to know where you are in the world and know about the wonderful things that are around you!
Statement
I am originally from Zacatlan, Puebla, Mexico and I lived there until June 2023 when I moved to Morris, Minnesota. I enjoy playing video games, hanging out with my friends, drinking coffee, reading and exploring new places, I also really like theater, robotics, and speech. I think the worst thing you can do is miss in an opportunity to learn new things and meet new people. I am very excited to be part of the Echinacea Project!
I am a student at Alexandria Area Highschool. I am going to be a Senior for the 2025-2026 school year.
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Interests
This summer I hope to learn more about plant biology and evolution. I have lived here all my life and I do not know much about the land around me, but I am excited to learn.
Statement
I am from Alexandria, Minnesota, and I have lived here all my life. After high school I hope to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for Mechanical Engineering. I have been involved in the outdoors for most of my life. I am an Eagle Scout as of 6/15/2025 from Troop 496 Carlos/Miltona. When I am not in the field I enjoy playing violin, throwing on the pottery wheel, working out, and biking.
I am a post-baccalaureate research intern with the Echinacea Project and will be moving between the University of Minnesota and the Chicago Botanic Garden. I graduated in May 2025 from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Environmental Science and Biology. My research with the Echinacea Project will be focused on the experimental plots.
Pronouns: she/her
Research Interests
I’m interested in all sorts of plant ecology. I especially am interested in plant-pollinator interactions and fire ecology. I hope to learn more about conservation and restoration efforts in prairie ecosystems.
Statement
I am from New Jersey and went to college in South Carolina. In college, I was a researcher for a plant/insect ecology lab and I studied abroad in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, and the Galapagos Islands. I did my honors thesis on the effects of humidity on the attachment strength of mucilaginous seeds, a seed trait found all across the world. I am a fan of all sorts of creatures and often pause to take pictures of everything. I like to read, bake, nap, and catch lizards.
