Four Freshman Research Scholars (FRS) are currently mentored by Zoology faculty members and were among the 22 FRSs that presented their work at the FRS Colloquium. Ashley Lonetree (Psychology, mentor: Dr. Jason Beldon) and Lauren Foley (Zoology/Spanish, mentor: Dr. Alex Ophir) were awarded honorable mention for their work. There were a total of 3 HMs and one overall best presentation. The other two FRSs were Jennifer Fulenchek (Biochemistry, mentor: Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff) and Josh Mathis (mentor: Dr. Don French). Congratulations to all FRSs for their participation in this program!
Lauren Foley is a double major (Zoology and Psychology) and has been conducting research on how social recognition is important to promote monogamy and social bonding as a part of her FRS project. She will continue this work as a Wentz Research scholar in the Fall. | Jennifer Fulenchek presented a poster entitled "The effects of maternal vaccination prior to egg laying on zebra finch offspring". Her project addressed how a maternal immune challenge impacts a secondary sexual character in offspring by studying the rate of development of the orange bill in juvenile zebra finches. Zebra finches hatch with a black, melanin-based bill and as they mature, the color of the bill slowly changes to a red-orange, carotenoid-based color. | Ashley Lonetree is currently a Psychology major and has interests in Zoology and Chemistry. She has been conducting research on the reproductive effects of potential endocrine disruptors on Daphnia magna. |