Sigma Xi 2015 Student Research Showcase
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
If you want to connect with them on social media, click on their Twitter and/or LinkedIn icons if available.
"Genetic Basis of a Mating Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans"
Tangirul Islam, The Bronx High School of Science
One of the major problems in genetics is understanding how genes govern evolutionary changes. The evolutionary change the project focuses on is behavioral, specifically the copulatory plugging found in Caenorhabditis elegans, an organism extensively used
"Benthic fish guilds in the shallow sublittoral zone of Lough Hyne, Ireland"
Ryan Peter Jiorle, University of Florida
This research focuses on determining the density and composition of the fish communities in the shallow sublittoral zone of Lough Hyne and explores whether or not they could have been responsible for a recent dramatic decline in Paracentrotus lividus urchins.
"The Role of Plant Dispersal on Ecosystem Function"
Luka Negoita, Syracuse University
The goal of my project is to study how plants move around (plant dispersal) and the link between plant movement and ecosystem processes.
"Spices as Fly Deterrents"
Morgan Nelson, Coffman High School
My study demonstrates that flies prefer unseasoned meat for laying eggs and feeding. If flies avoid meat seasoned with cayenne pepper, then there is reduced opportunity for fly-borne disease. This may explain in part why people from cultures in hot climates, where flies are abundant and bacteria grow quickly, tend to use a lot of spices.
"The impacts of two ubiquitous invaders on an endemic island bat"
Jessica Nicole Welch, University of Tennessee 
I conducted my study on Aguiguan, Northern Mariana Islands. I wanted to know if two invasive species might affect the availability of resources for the endagered Pacific sheath-tailed bat.