Meet our summer undergraduate researchers who are working with LEC Biodiversity Fellows at the Saint Louis Zoo and WashU.
Find out more about summer research opportunities through LEC.
Elizabeth Grieve
SURGE Summer Research Intern at WashU
Research Mentor: Rachel Penczykowski, WashU
Project: Temperature Dependence in the Sexual Lifecycle of a Fungal Plant Pathogen Along a Latitudinal Gradient
Natalie Gunther
Behavior and Animal Welfare Research Intern, Saint Louis Zoo
Research Mentors: Ashely Edes and Eli Baskir, Saint Louis Zoo
Project: Collect behavioral data for numerous projects on several species at the Saint Louis Zoo. Some highlights include observing allergy-related behavior in an okapi, monitoring behavioral and space use changes in a geriatric sun bear, investigating the impact of vibrations caused by nearby construction on behavior in three tarantula species, and recording habitat use and activity budgets in red pandas.
Phil Nye
Field Research Intern at WashU
Research Mentors: Elizabeth Carlen and Jonathan Losos, WashU
Project: Urban Biodiversity Assessment in Under-surveyed Areas of St. Louis
Sarah Pieper
Behavior and Animal Welfare Research Intern at the Saint Louis Zoo
Research Mentors: Ashely Edes and Eli Baskir, Saint Louis Zoo
Project: Investigating the influence of environmental and enrichment factors on animal behavior, such as the effect of temperature on red panda habitat use, the influence of seasonal allergies on okapi behavior, and the impact of nearby construction on tarantula rest patterns.
Golde Umlas
SURGE Summer Research Intern at WashU
Research Mentors: Noah Clayton and Jonathan Myers, WashU
Project: Conducting an experiment on different species of Plantago both native and introduced (P. rugelii, P. major, and P. lanceolata). We are also seeing how these different species react to mildew as well as drought. Additionally, we are seeing how different soil microbes impact the different species.