I teach research methods and I research teaching methods. My experience has taught me that ‘the extraordinary’ happens through the process of teaching students the art of doing ecological research.
In the beginning, I found it hard to recruit students early enough to invest in the long-term nature of research.
I also found that snails did not quite seem necessarily as sexy to students as something medically-related like cancer. It takes my enthusiasm for the crazy critters or the “word” from one of the already ecologically-converted to convince some students otherwise. Students make up my lab community and I consider them real contributors to the research. The practice of guiding students through the complete scientific process (i.e. where outcome results in poster, talk or paper) serves as the best evidence of my teaching effectiveness. I've been very fortunate to have incredible students.
Spr 2022 Burks Molecular Aquatic Ecology Lab
Cynthia Bashara, JR, SCOPE 21
Lillian Dolapchiev, JR, SCOPE 21
Kate Henderson, FY
Cassidy Reynolds, SO
Abby White, FY
Esme Barrientos, SO
Cynthia Bashara, JR, SCOPE 21
Lillian Dolapchiev, JR, SCOPE 21
Kate Henderson, FY
Cassidy Reynolds, SO
Abby White, FY
Esme Barrientos, SO
Undergraduate Researchers & Their Projects
Pursuing Honors Thesis May 2023
Apple Snails "Escargo" to San Antonio Seasonal patterns of eDNA detection for Pomacea maculata |
Pursuing Honors Thesis
May 2023 Apple Snails "Escargo" to San Antonio Size fractionation and eDNA detection for Pomacea maculata |
New Project
Keep Austin Snail Free Monitoring invasion of Pomacea maculata in Travis County |
Kaitlyn
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Lauren
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Shellsea
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May 20 Grad
Identifying Asian mystery snails Pursuing Master's in Genetic Counseling at Baylor University |
Shannon
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Madison
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Hannah Winkler
May 19 Grad
Unravelling mysterysnail DNA Working for GirlStart Pursuing Master's of Public Health Concordia |
Hugo Cepeda May 18 Grad
Pomacea spp. genetics Teaching Science at an IDEA School |
May 18 Grad
Asian mystery snails of the INHS Medical scribe |
Bianca PerezMay 17 Grad
Japanese mystery snail Employed at Texas Center for Environmental Quality
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Carissa Bishop
May 17 Grad
ITS Screen Angiostrongylus cantonensis Regulatory Affairs Associate II
Luminex |
Sofia Campos
Dec 16 Grad
Phylogeography Phylogenetics Employment in Wellness Center
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Averi Segrest
May 16 Grad
Snail-mussel interactions Self Employed
Color Street & Staff at YMCA |
Soon to be Dr. Paul Glasheen
Completing MD
Future Resident |
Dr. Alex
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Allie
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Soon to be Dr. Carson SavrickMay 15 Grad
Population genetics of P. maculata in southern US MS Biomedical Science
Rice University Completing MD Future Resident |
Amber CochranMay 14 Grad
Hatchling growth Employed at Bank
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Jonathon Miley
May 14 Grad
Georgetown Salamander Community College Computer Science Instructor
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Bex PetroMay 14 Grad
Art & Apple Snails Environmental Protection Specialist II at El Paso County Department of Health and Environment
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Allyson Plantz
May 13 Grad
Riparian predation and apple snails Development Associate at Springboard Collaborative
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Alexandra
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Tracy Day
Dec 12 Grad
Stable isotopes and apple snails Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator at DisperSol Technologies, LLC
Pursuing Public Health |
Katie Gibson
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Dr. Alexis
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Dr.
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Matt TrawickMay 10 Grad
Hatchling survival and water stress Attorney-Advisor at US Environmental Protection Agency
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Dr. Olivia Stanzer
May 10 Grad
Ecological role of ovorubin |
Scott ManusovMay 09 Grad
Aggregation of P. maculata Lab Technician
Dianal America |
Dr. James McDonoughMay 09 Grad
Field oviposition of apple snails Emergency Medical Physician
Baylor, Scott & White |
Dr. Colin
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Dr. Sarah Hensley PhDMay 08 Grad Juvenile consumption of exotic plants Senior Sciences Managing Editor and STEM Team Lead
Pearson VUE |
Dr. Abby Youens Smith
May 07 Grad
Juvenile growth patterns Family Medicine
Baylor, Scott & White |
Dr. Brandon Boland PhDMay 07 Grad
Food Choice in apple snails Senior Director
Portfolio Lead ApotheCom |
Dr. Matt Barnes PhD
Honors
May 06 Grad Fecundity of Pomacea maculata |
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Becca Marfurt Theodorakos
May '05 Grad, Environmental Studies M.S. in Aquatic Biology, Texas State Now with TRC Environmental Corporation Becca gets her own special box as the student to actually introduce apple snails into the lab at Southwestern University. Her natural curiosity has spurred over 15 years of research with no end in sight. |