2019-2020

Tanya Jagdish (Albion College)

Project at: Llano River Field Station, Junction TX

Mentor: Dr. Tom Arsuffi
Mentor institution: Texas Tech University

Project Title: Effectiveness of herbicide application on invasive Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) plants along Llano River.

Tanya Jagdish is pursuing a double major in Biology and Mathematics with a concentration in Environmental Science at Albion College, Michigan. She calls herself a multipotentialite with interests in ecology, dance, design and applied mathematics. As a SPUR fellow she was able to gain hands on experience in working with big data and building simple mathematical models pertaining to invasive plant management. Tanya aspires to combine her interests in math and ecology by using mathematical modeling techniques to implement better conservation policies in her home country, India.

Selina Cortez (Lenoir-Rhyne University) 

Project at: Llano River Field Station – LTER, Junction TX

Mentor: Dr. Thomas Arsuffi

Mentor Institution: Texas Tech University

Project Title: Ungulate Herbivore Effects on the Insect Community Diversity in Texas Hill Country

Selina Cortez is pursuing a General Biology degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. Her previous experience includes animal physiology research on feeding ontology, animal husbandry, and entomology research. Selina’s career aspirations include making science and environmental education available to all minorities and low socioeconomic individuals. This inspired her to choose the Llano River Field Station which houses the Junction Outdoor School dedicated to providing first hand outdoor experiences and science education to all.

Shawna Greyeyes (Coconino Community College) 

Project at: Harvard Forest Long Term Ecological Site, Petersham, MA

Mentor: Tim Rademacher and Clarisse Hart

Mentor Institution: Northern Arizona University and Harvard University

Project Title: Witness Tree Social Media Project: Can we increase science communication with a tree via social media?

Shawna Greyeyes is a sophomore at Coconino Community College who will graduate and transfer to Northern Arizona University to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. Afterward, she plans to obtain her Master’s degree at The University of Arizona. Greyeyes will help her community, the Navajo Nation, which has many environmental impacts such as uranium mines that have contaminated water and air quality. She plans to conduct research on the land, in the water, and air to help improve the ecosystem while improving the lives of the people who live in those areas. She also wants to create an outreach program that allows Native youth to get involved with STEM and the environment, with the goal of finding their own connection to Mother Earth.

Jenna Michelle Rosales (Lubbock Christian University)

Project at: Central-Arizona-Phoenix-Long Term Ecological Program

Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Vanos

Mentor Institution: Arizona State University

Project Title: Active transport heat exposure: how heat and UV measurements can benefit human health and ecological processes

Jenna Rosales is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Ecology and Conservation at Lubbock Christian University. While running for the cross country and track program. This project provided Jenna with a fresh learning experience in urban landscape ecology and atmospheric sciences. She previously has had involvement and knowledge in soil ecology and Ichthyology. The SEEDS fellowship presented her with an undergraduate research experience, which serves as valuable knowledge for her future endeavors in the science realm. Moreover, providing her with a newfound connection to other scientists that share similar interests. Jenna aspires to make an impact in ecological conservation by becoming a Game Warden. Furthermore, she hopes to continue her education studying Ornithology in graduate school in the near future.

Karina M. Cortijo-Robles (University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus) 

Project at: Michigan State University’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Mentors: Dr. Jennifer Lau and Meredith Zettlemoyer

Mentors Institution: Michigan State University

Project Title: Climate change may affect extinctions via altered plant-soil feedbacks

Blog: http://www.kbs.msu.edu/2019/12/karina-cortijo-robles-reu/

Karina M. Cortijo-Robles is pursuing an Environmental Sciences degree with a second concentration in Anthropology at the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus. Her previous experience doing field works and field trips, and her curiosity for the environment led her to find her passion for the environmental sciences and successfully apply to the SPUR fellowship. Thanks to the SPUR fellowship experience, she would like to incorporate her knowledge about research to conduct investigations about the effect of climate change or environmental factors in archaeological remains. She is also interested in making science more available to society through outreach experiences.

Jeremy Collings (he/him/his; SUNY Cortland)

Project at: Llano River Field Station, Junction TX

Mentor: Dr. Tom Arsuffi

Mentor institution: Texas Tech University

Project Title: Deer Herbivory Affects Plant Community Dynamics in the Edwards Plateau

Jeremy is a graduating senior at SUNY Cortland majoring in Conservation Biology. In high school, Jeremy was enamored with learning the names of as many plants as he could. In college, he learned that plants play a big role in ecosystems, and to understand that role takes more than just learning taxonomy. Jeremy has been involved with plant ecological research at his home institution in central New York studying plant communities, invasive species management, and nonnative earthworms. Through the SPUR fellowship, he was able to gain additional experience in plant community ecology and explore research in mycorrhizal symbioses. In addition to research, Jeremy is also passionate about promoting queer representation in STEM. Jeremy plans on pursuing a career in plant ecology such that he can spend his life learning about plants’ secrets.

Gabriela Marquez (University of Puerto Rico at Humacao) 

Project at: UREX Sustainability Network/ Corredor del Yaguazo, Juana Matos Community,Cataño,PR

Mentor: Dr. Tiffany Troxler

Mentor Institution: Arizona State University/Florida International University

Project Title: Opportunities in floodplain management for risk reduction and natural system benefits

Gabriela Marquez is pursuing a Wildlife Management degree at University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. She  is passionate about environmental management and would like to focus her graduate studies on that topic. She seeks ways in which citizens can engage in scientific research on the natural environment. Her research topic in floodplain management is a great example of how this relationship works. In October 2018, her experience with the San Juan Bay National Estuary Program made her realize how passionate she is about environmental management and science outreach. In the future, she aspires to become an environmental leader in the communities, inspiring others to appreciate their natural resources and educate them on different ways to protect them.