In the 33rd annual Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Symposium, 12 students presented the results of their summer research projects. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Cary Institute's REU program attracts students from across the country.
Working with a mentor over the course of the summer, REU participants craft a project, carry out research, analyze data, and present their findings. This year, the program was run virtually so the students could undertake projects from the safety of their homes. Their projects were wide-ranging and included: a risk assessment of salamander populations in the US, effects of urbanization on mosquitos, impacts of the Clean Air Act on aquatic invertebrate communities, and how summer research programs affect participants’ future careers.
Schedule (pdf)
The following is a list of the students and their college affiliations, project titles, and scientist mentor(s):
Julianna Adler-Colvin, Marist College, The effect of invasive species on natural ecohydrology, Dr. Zion Klos & Dr. Chris Solomon
Michael Moubarak, Hamilton College, A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the US for directing conservation actions, Dr. Ilya Fischhoff, Adrian Castellanos, Dr. Barbara Han
Cassandra Roberts, Elizabethtown College, Thermal layering and variable resistance to changing weather patterns in small aquatic systems, Dr. David Richardson, Dr. Kathleen Weathers
MyKenna Zettle, University of Pittsburgh, The effects of landscape urbanization on mosquito populations, Dr. Shannon LaDeau
Annabelle McCarthy, Cal State University, Turbidity in relation to high flow events in the Hudson River estuary, Dr. Stuart Findlay, Dr. Bella Oleksy
Emma Castiblanco, Haverford College, You wouldn't eat three pounds of salt, so why should our watersheds?, Dr. Peter Groffman
John Nguyen, Columbia University, Nutrient effects on leaf biomass allocation across tropical forest succession, Dr. Sarah Batterman, Dr. Michelle Wong, Wenguang Tang
Carissa Moore, Rider University, Modeling the effects of nitrogen deposition and nitrogen fixation by Robinia pseudoacacia on northeastern US forests, Dr. Sarah Batterman, Dr. Michelle Wong
Sara Herrejon Chavez, Portland State University, Evaluating growth and survivorship of afforestation plots in NY, and potential impacts of climate change, Dr. Elizabeth Cook, Dr. Bianca Lopez, Dr. Timon McPhearson
Abigail Williams, Salem College, Road salt in drinking water wells in southwest Virginia and southeast New York, Vicky Kelly, Dr. Kevin Burgio
Victoria Martinez, Barry University, Exploring the effects of the Clean Air Act on stream invertebrate communities, Dr. Emma Rosi, Audrey Thellman
Elizabeth Jurado, University of Georgia, Cultivating a sense of belonging: The impact of undergraduate research experiences, Dr. Alan Berkowitz, Dr. Kevin Burgio
