Madeleine Dissinger
University of Alabama
Year: 2023
Project: Quantifying Evolutionary Changes in Molluscan Prey
Advisor: Derek Briggs, G. Evelyn Hutchinson Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curator, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, Erynn Johnson, Gaylord Donnelly Postdoctoral Associate
Experience Overview: ”My expectation of SURES was that I’d learn more about invertebrate paleontology, and research in general. I can safely say that that expectation was far exceeded. The opportunity to study at Yale gave me invaluable connections and a strong group of friends. I was able to dive into the Ivy League experience in a way that I hadn’t anticipated. From exploring campus to visiting the Peabody’s world-renowned collections, I gained so much knowledge about my career path. Through SURES, I became more confident that research is the right choice.”
Kieran Dykstra
Brown University
Year: 2023
Project: Phages in the Microbiomes of Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, and Possibly Other Marine Animals
Advisor: Paul Turner, Rachel Carson Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Director, Center for Phage Biology and Therapy; Director, Quantitative Biology Institute; Director, Program in Physics, Engineering, and Biology, Catherine Hernandez, Gaylord Donnelly Postdoctoral Associate
Experience Overview: ”This summer fellowship was amazing! Not only did I gain a great deal from working in the lab, but the program accommodations and educational events were very helpful as well. Living in the Yale dorms granted a unique experience, and allowed for a very easy commute to the lab. Through my work in Turner Lab under Paul Turner and Cathy Hernandez I have been able to do everything from improving from my basic lab work skills to developing my own experimental evolution study. This has been a truly unforgettable experience.”
Camila Freire
Sao Paulo State University
Year: 2023
Project: Plant Roots in Brazilian Savannas
Advisor: Carla Staver, Associate Director, Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Juliana Teixeira, Postdoctoral Associate
Experience Overview: ”The SURES program was truly one of the most exceptional experiences I could have as an undergraduate. Beyond the contact with interesting research, the fieldwork also provided a great opportunity for learning from exceptional scientists, formulating questions, and conducting new experiments. Visiting the campus, presenting work and meeting other researchers were also experiences that enriched my perspectives on building my career in science.”
Alina Garza Pizana
University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
Year: 2023
Project: Forecasting the Risk of Warming and Temperature Variability on Species
Advisor: David Vasseur, Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Experience Overview: ”My academic journey took an unexpected turn midway through college (at the beginning of my junior year) after I took a couple of pivotal environmental science courses: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Global Change Ecology, and Introduction to Environmental Studies. The sheer volume of information and data I was exposed to completely reshaped my career aspirations, and I can honestly say it was the riskiest yet best decision I ever made.
Fast forward to April 2023, I found myself applying to the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies Undergraduate Research Program (SURES), which is, in my opinion, one of the most prestigious internship opportunities in the country for aspiring ecological science fellows. What drew me most to this umbrella program was its objective to investigate the broad effects of global change from multiple angles through individual studies focused on topics such as temperature variability, landscape genomics, natural resource depletion, climate change, deforestation rates, and more. The ultimate goal was to develop the findings of each individual study/project into a publishable scientific publication.
In particular, I was fascinated by a study focused on forecasting the risks of temperature variability and resource depletion on microbial species, which provide an incredibly rich array of ecosystem services, such as regulating the Nitrogen cycle. Through a series of two main temperature-dependent experiments, encompassing 11 temperature treatments, four nutrient concentrations, and five well-studied protist species, our aim was to map the minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures at which these five species could maintain positive growth and determine the points at which growth ceases at the thermal extrema. This information would then be used to forecast future protist population trajectories in the context of a rapidly changing climate.
I am immensely grateful for this transformative opportunity. Growing up in the most impoverished region of the United States (South Texas), I rarely encountered people who expressed an interest in the scientific field. For most, the primary concern was providing food for their families. Witnessing these disparities and the lack of representation for women of color in STEM only fueled my determination to choose the path of most resistance today to reap the rewards of a better quality of life tomorrow. This program ignited my passion for science and propelled me further along this exciting career path.
My hope is that my journey serves as an inspiration to anyone from a lower socioeconomic background or disadvantaged background. The seemingly unfair adversities you may face in life can sometimes become your single most valuable asset in leveling the playing field. Embrace the challenges, persevere, and never give up on your dreams.”
Leticia Giacom
Sao Paulo State University
Year: 2023
Project: Plant Roots in Brazilian Savannas
Advisor: Carla Staver, Associate Director, Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Juliana Teixeira, Postdoctoral Associate
Experience Overview: ”My experience in the SURES program was truly transformative. It broadened my horizons and solidified my determination to pursue a career in science. The program provided me with the unique opportunity to design and develop a research project from start to finish, collecting data in the field and working with the results under the guidance of exceptional scientists. This hands-on approach to scientific research was an invaluable experience that helped me further in achieving my dream of becoming a scientist.”
Nikita Jaisiree
Gateway Community College
Year: 2023
Project: The Role of Animal Behavior in Disease Avoidance
Advisor: Vanessa Ezenwa, Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yen-Hua Huang, G. Evelyn Hutchinson Postdoctoral Associate
Experience Overview: ”My summer experience was truly exceptional, exceeding even my highest expectations. I gained a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between ecology and immunology, which further ignited my passion for pathology. Throughout the program, I felt incredibly supported as I delved into new concepts and techniques in both the laboratory and fellowship activities. This immersive experience provided a unique platform to explore new areas of interest while nurturing existing passions. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking an enriching opportunity to expand their scientific horizons.”
Lauren Latham
Tuskegee University
Year: 2023
Project: Forecasting the Risk of Warming and Temperature Variability on Species
Advisor: David Vasseur, Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Experience Overview: ”This fellowship was an invaluable asset to my academic journey and research aspirations. Despite entering the program with limited experience in research and a developing understanding of the environmental sciences, I gained profound insights into the field through the program’s training and mentorship. This transformative experience has propelled my skills and knowledge to new heights, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this exceptional program.”
Gabriela Lebron
Skidmore College
Year: 2023
Project: How Do Plants Adapt to Harsh Environments?
Advisor: Jennifer Coughlan, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Experience Overview: “This summer was incredibly informative for many reasons! I was able to experience first hand what it’s like being in a lab and getting to be a part of a lab community. I learned so much from my PI and other lab members. It was also great to learn about the research that other labs were conducting, seeing collections from the Peabody Museum, and getting to know the New Haven area!”
Christine Lumen
Miami Dade College
Year: 2023
Project: Agroforestry as a Natural Climate Solution
Advisor: Sara Kuebbing, Director of Research, Yale Applied Science Synthesis Program, The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment; Cole Gross, Research Affiliate, The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment
Experience Overview: “It was the best summer! I immersed myself in an experience of true research, where I could make a real-world impact. Collaborating with like-minded individuals, real professionals in their field, fueled my passion for research - fostering an environment that encouraged continuous learning and personal growth.”
Jesús Buenrostro
Heritage University
Year: 2022
Project: Lungless Salamanders (Plethodontidae)
Advisor: Martha Muñoz, Assistant Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, Yale Peabody Museum
Experience Overview: “My experience this summer was a bit of everything! From personal gain and experience, stem research and working in a lab environment and in the field as well was pretty cool! I liked being able to venture out and travel a bit around the area besides doing my research, as well! Meeting new people who are too interested in a stem career! My wonderful PI who made it her mission for this to be an exceptional experience! My second advisor who was always there for me when I needed some help, advice, questions answered. Help was always there and available, which gave me a sense of comfort and hospitality. I was a bit homesick here and there but keeping myself busy helped take my mind off that feeling, which there was lots to do. Overall, very grateful for the opportunity and hospitality.”
Christian Capuno
California State University, Stanislaus
Year: 2022, 2023
Project: Phages in the Microbiomes of Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, and Possibly Other Marine Animals.
Advisor: Paul Turner, Rachel Carson Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Director, Center for Phage Biology and Therapy; Director, Quantitative Biology Institute; Director, Program in Physics, Engineering, and Biology
Experience Overview: “I was raised in a rural farming town with limited opportunities for STEM, and grew up feeling stifled, that I had unrealized potential. This fellowship provided me with that big break— by immersing me in this environment, I discovered both my penchant and aptitude for research, fully confirming the career path I would pursue. SURES supported me the whole way through— from analyzing publications, to authoring my own, and lecturing on such. Through this program, you learn about the reality of full-time research, and whether it’s right for you— and for that, I recommend it highly.”
Nirvana Delev Martinez
University of La Verne
Year: 2022
Project: The Malawi Ancient Lifeways and Peoples Project (MALAPP)
Advisor: Jessica Thompson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology; Assistant Curator of Anthropology, Yale Peabody Museum
Experience Overview: “A once in a lifetime opportunity, is more than fitting for the enriching 2 months spent in the beautiful country of Malawi, Africa. From a typical ‘California’ city girl turned backpacking, camping expert overnight, my time as a part of the Malawi Ancient Lifeways and People’s project was beyond fulfilling through the submergence learning to live day to day life as a Malawian in Lunjika village, making friends from around the world, and experiencing the importance of educating oneself of cultural evolution through archaeology. Our full-time schedule consisted of driving or hiking to our sites; working alongside locals for the duration of the day completing tasks such as paperwork housekeeping, recording found artifacts, interviewing excavators, being the excavator, ‘shooting’ thousands of points a day per site, and working in the lab to help label, categorize and sort the hundreds and thousands of artifacts. Simultaneously sharing within the community, the importance of our research, and encouraging locals to build similar interest in the preservation of sites containing the evolution of their ancestors. I will forever hold gratitude for the opportunity I was granted to broaden and diversify my experiences in STEM by the Yale Institute of Biospheric Sciences.”
Rosangela Gutierrez
Florida International University
Year: 2022
Project: Speciation and Species Discovery in Black Basses
Advisor: Thomas Near, Chair and Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Bingham Oceanographic Curator of Ichthyology, Yale Peabody Museum; Head of College, Saybrook College
Experience Overview: “I cannot think of a better way to have spent this past summer. The YIBS SURES fellowship not only focuses on the research program, but also includes a lot of activities to keep students engaged in different ways. Every week there is a new workshop led by an expert to provide a well-rounded experience. The accommodations are great, the faculty and staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. Also, this program is structured in a way that gives students the opportunity to explore Yale.”