GCC Undergraduate Research Grants awarded to 8 students
November 23, 2021
This year the Global Change Center continued to support the research efforts of our undergraduate students through our Undergraduate Research Grant program. From mosquito control, to a shark identification phone app, to how landowners perceive conservation efforts and more – this year’s GCC undergraduate research grant recipients are conducting impressive work with GCC faculty. This year’s research grants, totaling ~$7,500 in funds, support projects led by eight outstanding undergraduate students spanning seven undergraduate majors.
Congratulations to the following students awarded this year’s GCC undergraduate research grants!
The impact of microplastics on crayfish and branchiobdellidan annelids symbiosis
Tyler Allen, Biological Sciences
Working with Drs. Austin Gray and Bryan Brown
Projecting species distribution models under different climate scenarios for conservation
Victorjose Catalan, Wildlife Conservation
Working with Drs. Meryl Mims and Traci DuBose
Assessing urushiol’s contribution to poison ivy evolutionary fitness
Amy Fiorellino, Environmental Science
Working with Dr. John Jelesko
The effects of engagement in research on landowner perspectives on science & conservation
Anna Klewicki, Environmental Conservation & Society
Working with Drs. Ashley Dayer and Bill Hopkins & IGC Fellow Rebecca O’Brien
Adverse birth outcomes associated with proximity to poultry animal feeding operation in
rural Eastern Shore, VA
Antonia Maria Mendrinos, Clinical Neuroscience
Working with Dr. Julia Gohlke
Developing a shark identification app for online citizen science
Lauren Morris, Biological Sciences
Working with Dr. Francesco Ferretti
Optimization of an attractive toxic sugar bait trap to control Aedes j. japonicus invasive mosquitoes
Helen Oker, Biochemistry
Working with Dr. Chloé Lahondère
Plant functional and morphological traits impact carbon transport to aquatic ecosystems
Aaron Price, Crop & Soil Environmental Science
Working with Dr. Brian Badgley & IGC Fellow Stephanie Duston
The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech, with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, is proud to sponsor undergraduate students and their research projects that align with our mission for advancing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to address critical global changes impacting the environment and society. Supported projects address basic and/or applied aspects of global change science, engineering, social science and the humanities and are sponsored by a GCC Faculty mentor.
