2023 undergraduate researchers reflect

Sophomore in Biology of Findlay

Faculty mentor: Fabio Leite

Project name: Evaluation of individual differences in spatial and cognitive abilities within the general population, artists, and athletes

“Becoming an undergraduate researcher is important because it gives you an introduction or real-life application in your possible field of interest, especially if you desire to go into STEM. My first year as a researcher was an introduction to research, and I would suggest that for individuals who are curious about research but don't know where to start. I also believe that it is important because it will strengthen your resume. Experiences like this help students build their resumes and confidence through learning opportunities that make them viable candidates for higher opportunities in the future. Furthermore, access to partnering with students pursuing similar goals is priceless, as the need for networking and support for the journey is significant.”

Junior in Biology of Lima

Faculty mentor: Ryan W. Norris

Project name: Reconciling evolutionary history with taxonomy in the root rats and bamboo rats in the subfamily Rhizomyinae (family Spalacidae)

“It was important to me to be an undergraduate researcher because I wanted to take on the role of figuring out my own conclusions and coming up with my own ideas about something. I feel like this has an important application to medicine because physicians diagnose patients, which requires the same idea of coming up with conclusions. I specifically want to become an infectious disease doctor, and I will have to figure out the type of infection and the correct medications to treat that infection. It makes sense that medical schools look for research engagement because it relates deeply to medicine, even if the topic of the research is not about medicine.” 

Senior in Psychology of Wapakoneta

Faculty mentor: Patrick Carroll

Project name: The Antecedents and Mechanisms of System-Justifying Tendencies
"The most surprising thing that I discovered during the project was my own ability. It is one thing to learn about research but to develop a research idea and carry out the project is quite different. I learned that I could do the things that I learned about in courses and allowed myself to feel more confident in my educational ability."

"It was important to me to be an undergraduate researcher to be more involved in my undergraduate degree. I gained opportunities in psychology and furthered my interests in the field. I was able to form many relationships being involved in undergraduate research that I would have never had without. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of a lab and to discuss things that we are all interested in. I could never have completed my project or developed these skills without the support and guidance of my advisor, Dr. Patrick Carroll, as well as my fellow research assistants."

Senior in Biology of Sidney

Faculty mentor: Ryan W. Norris

Project name: Geographic Distribution and Predicted Habitat Suitability for High Elevation Rodents in Northern Pakistan

“Undergraduate research experience provides me and my classmates the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, team work, and research skills that are transferable to any career field. These skills are valuable in any profession, as they enable individuals to think creatively, analyze complex issues, combine efforts with other people, and develop effective solutions to problems. Since I am going to dental school, I will have to be able to work with other people to provide the best dental care.”

Academy student of Sidney

Faculty mentor: Zachery Beres

Project name: Evaluating the Effectiveness of DNA Extraction from Older and Younger Seeds of Conyza canadensis

“One of the greatest things that I will definitely be taking away from this experience is the work and planning that goes into a research project such as this. Additionally, I really feel that the teamwork skills learned in the lab are vital to my future career in the medical field. In undergraduate research, you learn to adapt to your teammates and create solutions to problems which every person comfortably agrees with. You learn how to plan workdays according to yourself and your teammates' schedules. This can be tricky at times. By successfully learning these skills, I will be able to take them wherever I go throughout my life.”

Junior in Biology of Lima

Faculty mentor: Ryan W. Norris

Project name: Evaluating the geographic distribution and the evolutionary history of field and juniper voles (genus Microtus) in Northern Pakistan through molecular phylogenetics

“From the undergraduate research I’ve been involved with over this semester, I think the biggest thing I can take away is the ability to create and maintain connections with a variety of different scientists who have, in their unique contributions, have been able to work together to support a project and introduce new concepts to the rest of their community. As I’ve educated myself about the significance of my project and my peers’ projects, it fascinates me how one single research topic can fuel the curiosity of so many other scientists who can all play their own unique roles in explaining an observation or testing a hypothesis.”

Senior in Biology of Lima

Faculty mentor: Robin K. Bagley

Project name: Mirroring divergence? Evaluating speciation of parasitic wasps alongside their sawfly hosts

“As someone interested in medicine, a career based heavily on research and development, I needed to familiarize myself with the research process. Through my experiences, I learned a lot more about the scientific method and could apply it in a real-world setting by pursuing a project of mine. Additionally, I learned how to collaborate with others and work as part of a team. The undergraduate research experience has allowed me to foster my budding interests into invaluable skills, something that I will ever be thankful for!”

“My research experience has taught me how to stay dedicated to a project. By spending countless hours working in the lab or drafting posters (and currently a thesis!) I learned the value of putting in the time and working through obstacles. This tenacity will be immensely useful in my future as I pursue a career in medicine and establish new goals.” 

Senior in Social Work of Lima

Faculty mentor: Carmen Cupples

Project name: Nature Relatedness and Wellbeing in Older Adults in Northwest Ohio

“It is important for me to be an undergraduate researcher to prove to myself that I can do hard things. I would have never imagined myself taking on this kind of a project before, and it is so refreshing to challenge myself! I learned so many new, exciting skills that I can now take into the realm of social work, and to me that is awesome.”
“As a social worker, we are constantly growing, learning and evolving with time and I think embracing that we don’t know things yet, can be powerful because then it allows us to learn and grow from what we don’t know!”

Senior in Biology of St. Marys

Faculty mentor: Joseph P. Green

Project name: A Principal Components Analysis of the Binghamton Hypnotic Attitudes Scale

“I wanted to get involved on campus and experience new things. I am always looking to expand my knowledge, and undergraduate research is the best way to do that. I have gained valuable information during my time doing undergraduate research, and I am very thankful for everyone who has been a part of that.”
“It was difficult for me to be patient with the study and not rush through to get the results. During the course of our project, we had multiple different ideas and altered the study from our original plan. This taught me to appreciate the path taken, and not be so focused on the destination.” 

Senior in Zoology of Lima

Faculty mentor: Robin K. Bagley

Project name: Lepidopteran Diversity in a Restored Prairie

“I remember when I was a child, when I’d stay up late I would look up at the stars and think: what exciting and interesting things will I be up to under these stars when I’m older? This summer, while I was staying up late setting up light traps to learn about the moth diversity in the Tecumseh Interpretive Nature Preserve here at Ohio State Lima, I realized I was doing exciting and interesting things under the stars! I will truly take so many things with me from this experience, one of them being that I love doing field work. The people I’ve met who helped inspire me or told me about opportunities I never knew existed, the revelation that I have a passion for prairie ecosystems; these will inform the direction I take in my life going forward from this point. I will always seek out ways to share my knowledge with others and help lift people up, the way I was at Ohio State Lima.”

Junior in Biology of Ottawa

Faculty mentor: Zachery Beres

Project name: Assessing the Habitat, Water Quality, and Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity of The Lost Creek on the Ohio State Lima

“The biggest thing that I will take away from this project is the knowledge gained about aquatic organisms in this research. It was surprising to discover how dependent water quality and organism life is dependent on temperatures of the water. Being a researcher is important to me to build strong connections between some professors to help out with graduate school applications and future relations on campus.”

Senior in Biology of Anna

Faculty mentor: Robin K. Bagley

Project name: Evaluating mite abundance and diversity on the Ohio State Lima campus

“I think being an undergraduate researcher has great importance regarding my future. I plan to attend graduate school for Genetic Counseling and I think it has really helped prepare me for multiple aspects of that. I learned how much hard work goes into doing lab work and research. I also got the opportunity to dive deeper into the research experience. You get the opportunity to learn so much more about the scientific process and how it really works in the real world. I have learned so many laboratory and interpersonal skills along the way that I believe will really benefit me in my future!”