Biology and Environmental Studies, Lake Forest College 2023
Research Interests
I am interested in learning whatever grabs my curiosity! This includes, biology(from molecular biology to conservation ecology), neuroscience, philosophy, statistics… I live to understand how the world around us works and hope to discover its secrets.
Statement
I come from the Chicagoland area and have mostly lived in big cities. I am excited to experience summer in rural Minnesota. My goals for the summer are to identify native plants, forage for food and be vegan!
Lastly, here is a photo of me in a forest preserve in Peoria IL.
My research interests are in how plants interact with their surrounding organisms and environment. And in this pollination biology perfectly is nesseled quite nicely. I am particularly interested in studying how disturbance affects plant pollinator interactions. I have enjoyed using molecular work to follow where pollen is moving in populations of plants.
Statement
I have been working as a research intern with the Echinacea Project since the summer of 2020! Wow how time flies when you are having fun! I will only be on the team for part of the summer this year as I am moving on to a new position at Michigan State! I am very excited to be around for the next month, planning on getting into some good trouble! In my spare time I like to knit, embroider, bake and practice yoga.
Jared, Alex, Lindsey, and I have now been in Douglas county, MN, for around a week give or take getting things ready for the start of the field season tomorrow. This includes a big supply run. Today Alex and I had some fun visiting five different stores in Alexandria (hereafter Alec (I know it is spelled Alex but that gets confusing once Alex (the person) is involved)). The least fruitful of these stops based on items crossed of lists was Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm was the most fruitful in fun! We had some good fun with their “big hat” selection. Lindsey is the only one in the Elk Lake house who didn’t have a “big hat” so Alex and I picked one up for her. But we wouldn’t dare choose for her so I modeled the different “big hats” and Alex sent photos to Lindsey and she chose which of the big hats she wanted. Now all members of the Elk Lake House have big hats and we all can be protected from the sun in style.
“this one has mesh at the top” (later determined this is jareds big hat)“mesh at the top in beige”“lookin’ hat”“the biggin” aka my new hatBig sun hats all dermatologist approvedLindsey the newest member of the big hat club in the beige “lookin’ hat”
THEN when we were leaving in the parking lot we ran into Sophia! (not literally everyone is ok) What a funny coincidence I guess Alec isn’t that big but still hilarious!
Moral of the story: let your big hat be a personality trait, and post silly things on the Flog
Biology and Geography with GIS Major, Gustavus Adolphus College Class of 2022
Research Interests
My interests are broadly within conservation, plant ecology and entomology, but I am most fascinated with questions about pollination and plant-insect interactions! I am excited to learn more about the impacts of fire on different plant species and to spend time out in the prairie this summer!
Statement
I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota though I’ve spent the last four years in the small town of St. Peter, Minnesota. In my spare time I like to run long distances, read, paint (mostly watercolors!), bake cookies, spend time with friends, and do just about any activity outdoors!
Here’s a photo of me with a nasty sunburn in front of the blooming crab apple trees on graduation day!
Biochemistry Major, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Class of 2025
Research Interests
I am interested in studying all sorts of science, especially biology! I like to see how things work together to create a larger network which is able to accomplish amazing things. Being outside and walking through the fields, I love seeing how much is going on between all of the living and nonliving parts of the prairie.
Statement
I am originally from Alexandria, MN, about 20 minutes from most of the field sites. This will be my second year as a part of Team Echinacea and I am thrilled to be coming back! In my spare time I enjoy being active, I am a part of the Gopher Nordic Ski Team at my college and love racing as a part of the team. I also am a distance runner. In my down time, I enjoy reading, being on the lakes (in my opinion, the best part of living in Alex!), baking/cooking, and playing music.
Kennedy Porter and I after a rainy day in P1 last year (John Van Kempen walks in the background)
Biology and Geography, Gustavus Adolphus College 2023
Research Interests
I am interested in studying anything related to the interactions between plants and insects, as well as humans. Ecosystem studies and trophic interactions are fascinating to me, and I’m particularly interested in how humans fit into this and shape these interactions. The study of pollinators in altered habitats combines all of my interests quite nicely, from plant communities to nearby habitat to insect diversity!
Statement
I am from Forest Lake, Minnesota. In my spare time I like to read (particularly nonfiction, but I’ve been trying to read more fiction as of late) and listen to music – I love new music, and listening to recommendations from friends is one of my favorite things to do. I also like to be active, whether that’s lifting, walking my dog Jupiter, or hiking. I also enjoy knitting and cooking – I love to try out new recipes!
I am an Earth and Planetary Science and Journalism major at Northwestern University in the class of 2025.
Research Interests
I am interested in studying the effects of interactions between humans and nature on plant fitness, fire cycles. I am also excited to learn more about plant biology and conservation!
Statement
I am from Geneva, New York. In my spare time I like to hike, travel, read, and spend time outside!
I am a biology major and environmental studies minor at Lake Forest College. After I graduate in Fall’23, I hope to continue working in research labs before I embark on my grad school journey.
I have a wide range of academic interests including, experimental philosophy, neuroscience, environmental justice and conservation. I am an aspiring research scientist and hope to attend grad school for cognitive neuroscience in the future.
I am from Shanghai, China. While growing up, I’ve lived between Shanghai and Chicago. Besides academics, I love nature adventures! This summer I am hoping to learn more about foraging and identifying fungus. I also enjoy swimming, biking and watching theater productions.
I am part of the Class of 2025 at Carleton College and I plan to major in Environmental Studies.
Research Interests
In general, I am interested in helping to conserve natural prairie areas through networks and corridors so that they can become more resilient to climate changes. I am also curious about how to connect with stakeholders and landowners to make this happen, but also how to combine my interest in GIS with prairie restoration.
Statement
I am from Rochester, MN, but my home away from home is our cabin near Lanesboro, where I help to restore the surrounding native prairies, forests, and savannas. I also greatly enjoy hiking the bluffs there with my family and dogs.
Collecting seed with my dad at our cabin for Project Wingspan
I am an Environmental Studies major at Carleton College, class of 2023.
Research Interests
I am interested in studying prairie conservation, as well patch ecology and the effects of fragmentation. I am also very interested in environmental interpretation/education and environmental justice.
Statement
I am from Mount Prospect, IL. In my spare time I like to hike, backpack, go thrifting, and read. I also play softball, and am on the varsity team at Carleton. I also really enjoy visiting National Parks (Glacier is my favorite).
Here’s me with a cool tree in the Berkshires last summer.
