University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Paleontology Lab- 2015-2019
My first experience with undergraduate research was in UWSP’s paleontology lab. I worked in this lab for four years, accessioning fossil specimens from the Green River (Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado) and Almont (North Dakota) formations, as well as Powell Clay Pit in Tennessee. This work included taking detailed descriptions and measurements of fossils, identifying specimens, photography and data entry. Some of the specimens I helped identify included many different plant species (both gymnosperms and angiosperms), insects, and fish. I also began training other lab members and overseeing daily lab activities in my second year of research, which I continued until my graduation.
Research that I completed in collaboration with other lab members was presented in a poster at the UWSP student research symposium, investigating the past climate conditions of the Almont locale based on the relative abundance of plant species represented in the collection. We presented a hypothetical description of the past environment based on plant species found and the conditions those plants and related modern species need to live. Studying paleontological collections can yield information on how prehistoric ecosystems responded to different climatic and geologic events, which can give us insights as to how current analogues may respond to similar events.
Part of my work in this lab involved outreach through the annual Collection Crawl, a chance for the public to explore all of the University’s natural history collections. During this event, I was able to share my experience and passion for this collection with families. I had lots of practice explaining my job and the importance of the collections to an audience with little to no scientific background. It was a great learning experience for me, and it affirmed my desire to teach.
My first experience with undergraduate research was in UWSP’s paleontology lab. I worked in this lab for four years, accessioning fossil specimens from the Green River (Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado) and Almont (North Dakota) formations, as well as Powell Clay Pit in Tennessee. This work included taking detailed descriptions and measurements of fossils, identifying specimens, photography and data entry. Some of the specimens I helped identify included many different plant species (both gymnosperms and angiosperms), insects, and fish. I also began training other lab members and overseeing daily lab activities in my second year of research, which I continued until my graduation.
Research that I completed in collaboration with other lab members was presented in a poster at the UWSP student research symposium, investigating the past climate conditions of the Almont locale based on the relative abundance of plant species represented in the collection. We presented a hypothetical description of the past environment based on plant species found and the conditions those plants and related modern species need to live. Studying paleontological collections can yield information on how prehistoric ecosystems responded to different climatic and geologic events, which can give us insights as to how current analogues may respond to similar events.
Part of my work in this lab involved outreach through the annual Collection Crawl, a chance for the public to explore all of the University’s natural history collections. During this event, I was able to share my experience and passion for this collection with families. I had lots of practice explaining my job and the importance of the collections to an audience with little to no scientific background. It was a great learning experience for me, and it affirmed my desire to teach.