Question: How did you initially get involved with undergraduate research on campus?

I initially enrolled in a research-specific class in integrative biology (IB). In this semester class, I was paired with a mentor who worked under an IB professor. In lab, we digitally and physically reconstructed ant nests. We did this to help better document ant nest architecture. I was able to assist my mentor with this throughout the semester, and at the end I asked to continue to work in the lab.

Q: Being named an Undergraduate Research Award winner this past spring is a great accomplishment. Tell us about that experience.

Presenting at the Undergraduate Research Symposium was a great experience. I have never done anything like this before, so I was very grateful for the opportunity. I was accompanied by my three other lab mates, and we were all trying to give our best presentation rather than thinking of an award at the end. When we all found out we won, we were all very excited that our hard work paid off, especially since we are one of four labs in the nation documenting nest architecture.