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Previous | Next Robin Sleith '08 Curiosity and a good internship lead to studying plants' responses to warmer climates Robin Sleith's no-fear lunges have cowed more than one opponent on the Ultimate Frisbee field. His demeanor in the biology lab is a bit more staid, yet no less passionate. Robin's endless hours in the Terrace and Ackley labs paid off in spring '06 when he was accepted into the highly competitive Research Experience for undergraduates at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado. As one of 10 undergraduate researchers (out of 140 applicants) funded by the National Science Foundation, Robin worked side-by-side with national field researchers for the summer. "It was great to be able to talk and live with world-class researchers. I was continually amazed by the conversations and interactions I had with the scientists at the lab. People were very personable and approachable." Robin was part of a research team assisting field biologist Dr. Brian Enquist in a project measuring carbon dioxide flux among various plant communities in the Rockies. Each of the many test sites required a tent to enclose the plants and an infrared analyzer to measure CO2 levels. Robin and crew measured the levels five times between 8 a.m. and midnight every other day. Alternate days they spent in the lab, entering and analyzing data. Robin also began his own independent research project at the lab. His study looked at the effects of temperature on two plant leaf functional traits with the hope that any findings may contribute to understanding the potential impacts of global warming on plants. He observed 6 to 7 species of plants at different elevations and within an experimental "warming meadow," in which he used heaters suspended above the plants to simulate an atmospheric increase in CO2 concentrations. As Robin looks forward to possible careers in conservation biology and ecology, he realizes that his GMC preparation, combined with the prestigious internship, have given him a leg up. "I was able to learn so many valuable field skills this past summer. I really think it gave me a good feel for what's ahead in the professional world." |
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