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 are not 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.
Undergraduate Researchers & Their Projects
Madison
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Shannon Walsh May 18 Grad
Asian mystery snails of the INHS Medical scribe |
Hugo CepedaMay 18 Grad
Pomacea spp. genetics |
Hannah WinklerMay 19 Grad
Unravelling mysterysnail DNA Working for GirlStart |
Carissa BishopMay 17 Grad
ITS Screen Angiostrongylus cantonensis Medical Lab Tech
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Bianca PerezMay 17 Grad
Japanese mystery snail Biologist for State of West Virginia
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Sofia Campos
Dec 16 Grad
Phylo-geography Phylogenetics Employment in Wellness Center
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Averi Segrest
May 16 Grad
Snail-mussel interactions Self Employed Color Street
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Paul GlasheenMedical School Student
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Alex
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Allie
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Carson SavrickMay 15 Grad
Pop genetics of P. maculata in southern US Medical School Student
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Amber CochranMay 14 Grad
Hatchling growth Employed at Bank
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Jonathon MileyMay 14 Grad
Georgetown Salamander Comm Coll Computer Science Instructor
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Bex PetroMay 14 Grad
Art & Apple Snails Media Specialist
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Allyson PlantzMay 13 Grad
Riparian predation and apple snails Peace Corps
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Alexandra
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Tracy DayDec 12 Grad
Stable isotopes and apple snails Public Health Intern
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Katie Gibson
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Alexis
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Megan Rice SheltonMay 11 Grad Hatchling survival and disturbance Medical Doctor Residency
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Matt TrawickMay 10 Grad
Hatchling survival and water stress EPA Lawyer
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Olivia StanzerMay 10 Grad
Ecological role of ovorubin PhD Physical Therapy
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Scott ManusovMay 09 Grad
Aggregation of P. maculata Lab Technician
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James McDonoughMay 09 Grad
Field oviposition of apple snails MD Resident
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Colin KyleHonors
May 09 Grad Oviposition behavior of non-native apple snails PhD Quantitative Ecology
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Sarah HensleyMay 08 Grad Juvenile consumption of exotic plants PhD
Teacher & Writer |
Abby Youens SmithMay 07 Grad
Juvenile growth patterns MD
Resident |
Brandon BolandMay 07 Grad
Food Choice in apple snails PhD Molecular Nutrition
Postdoc |
Matt BarnesHonors
May 06 Grad Fecundity of Pomacea maculata PhD Molecular Ecology
Faculty TT |
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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 10 years of research with no end in sight. |