Abstract Detail

The Science of Meaningful Undergraduate Research Experiences

Jabaily, Rachel [1], Fetterly, Emma [2], Bodine, Erin [3].

A liberal arts approach to studying life history evolution of the Bromeliaceae.

Collaborations across disciplines form naturally at primarily undergraduate liberal arts colleges. Biological questions can be approached from many angles at once and undergraduate researchers are key partners at every step. Our project is a partnership between botanist and biomathematician principle investigators and undergraduates at three liberal arts colleges (Colorado College, Rhodes College, New College), who study body plan,life history evolution, and conservation of the Neotropical family Bromeliaceae. We are at various points in multiple studies of species in the field and in the greenhouse. In this talk, we will overview the research objectives and highlight results from multi-year greenhouse experiments on several bromeliad species differing in clonal reproductive capability and timing relative to flowering. We will also discuss the process of our work- how we developed the project across institutions and disciplines, how we coordinate work between colleges and between faculty and students, and how we pace the work with teaching-heavy positions. Long term collaborations between similar institutions with great students move research forward and prepare our students to be innovative problem solvers and botanical leaders.

1 - Colorado College, Department of Organismal Biology & Ecology, 14 E. Cache la Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA
2 - Colorado College, 14 E Cache La Poudre St, Colorado Spgs, CO, 80903, United States
3 - Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN, 38112, United States

Keywords:
Undergraduate research
liberal arts college
Bromeliaceae
biomath
conservation.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: COL10, The Science of Meaningful Undergraduate Research Experiences
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Friday, July 31st, 2020
Time: 2:15 PM
Number: COL10008
Abstract ID:526
Candidate for Awards:None