Leigh Ellyn Preston is a DrPH candidate in Epidemiology and Environmental Science at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. Leigh traveled to Quito, Ecuador to research the environmental health infrastructure issues and zoonotic exposures that potentially influence diarrheal disease in urban neighborhoods versus rural neighborhoods. While abroad, Leigh also had a goal to identify barrios on the islands of San Cristobal and Santa Cruz with higher incidence rates of parasitic infections. Come hear about Leigh’s experience and what she learned!
Rachel Adams is a PhD candidate in the Ecosystem Science and Management department. Her research focuses on deep rooting tropical trees in the seasonally dry forests of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. With genetics tools and stable isotopes, Adams determined which species can grow deep roots into the caves and how their access to groundwater impacts above ground forest composition and productivity. Come hear about Rachel’s experience and what she learned!
Brie Myre is a PhD candidate in Biology studying sea turtle feeding physiology during reproduction. Her goal is to use physiology as a tool for conservation, as hormones can inform us about the cryptic behavior of these mysterious creatures. The central focus of Brie’s work is to advise the development of more effective conservation plans to aid Olive Ridley sea turtles in having more and healthier offspring. Come hear about Brie’s experience and what she learned!
Fellows pre-proposals must be submitted to the MSC L.T. Jordan Office, room 2293 on the 2nd floor of the MSC, by 5pm on October 12th.
Fellows proposals must be submitted to the MSC L.T. Jordan Office, room 2293 on the 2nd floor of the MSC, by 5pm on October 29th.
Fellows interviews will be conducted from November 7th to the 14th. Upon notification, applicants will sign up for time slots for the interview.
Manuel Flores is a senior in the Department of Ecosystem Science
and Management. He traveled to Costa Rica to study the
physiological differences of shade tolerant plants across varying
elevation gradients. Manuel will continue developing his thesis
with the LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Program.
Sarah Brinkley is a PhD candidate in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
She traveled to Honduras to study how soil health impacts coffee quality and
how it may improve agricultural management practices.