Research Opportunities in Biology
Students
majoring in Biology are encouraged to participate in hands on experiences in biological research. Research experiences
can provide you with enhanced comprehension biological principles, a better understanding of science as a process
and method of inquiry, and practical research skills.
It is possible to participate in all aspects of research including experimental design, field or laboratory work, data analysis, and the in many cases, presentation of your research findings at scientific meetings or preparation of a publication.
Getting involved is easy, but you must take the initiative. Your advisor is a good place to start, though feel free to discuss research opportunities with any of the biology faculty.
Off-campus research may be possible through various scholarship and internship programs. Consult with your advisor.
Research opportunities are available in diverse fields of biology, from molecular genetics to ecology, reflecting the varied interests of the faculty. Normally you will be involved with a particular faculty member, and the research will be congruent with their interests and on-going research.
Thornton Undergraduate Research Scholarships
Student
participation in research is greatly facilitated by the Thornton Undergraduate Research
Program. This program funds biological research at Western and is made
possible by a generous bequest from Mrs. Jessie Thornton and her husband, former
Colorado Governor Dan Thornton.
Thornton Undergraduate Research Scholarships of up to $3,000 per year are awarded to students participating in research with Western faculty and money may be obtained for research supplies.
Deadlines for applications are Oct 1, Dec 1, Feb 1, and May 1. Proposals are due at 4:00pm the day of the deadline. Submit an electronic copy of the proposal (as one document) to Dr. Robin Bingham (rbingham@western.edu). The Thornton committee will review proposals and notify applicants within 1-3 weeks. After approval, applicants must submit a signed hard copy of the proposal to the NES secretary.
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Thornton Undergraduate Research Application (PDF version) (microsoft word version)
For more information contact a biology faculty member or Robin Bingham (970 943-3355, rbingham@western.edu).
Funded Thornton Biology Research Proposals
Botany
The effects of supplemental feeding on growth and reproduction of Drosera rotundifolia.
Nancy Cohen, Diana Dean
and Robin Bingham
Changes in aspen communities in Gunnison County over a thirty-year period.
Jeremy Crawford, Seth McNulty, and John
Sowell.
Summer and Fall Diet Choices of the Gunnison
Sage Grouse.
Leslie Maddox and Jessica Young.
Cell Biology
Investigation of the Annual Reproductive Cycle of Deer Mice Through
Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy Examination of Testicular and Ovarian Morphology.
Timothy J.
Bedient and Curtis Gravis
Intestinal absorption of glucose by the leopard frog (Rana pipiens).
Barbra Carroll and Terry Mullen
The
influence of light on winter stomatal conductance of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii [Parry] Engelm.)
and bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata Engelm.).
Stacey
Clark and John Sowell.
Ecology
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey of Mt. Emmons'
Iron Bog.
Samantha Schraeder and Kevin Alexander.
Long-term monitoring of riparian condition in the West Elk Wilderness.
Andrew Schauer and John Sowell.
Life history characteristics of a high and
low altitude population of white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus altipens and L. l. saxatilis).
Michele Sewolt and Jessica Young.
Genetics
Isolation of dexA conditional lethal mutants.
Jennifer L. Orr, Katherine St. Thomas and Peter Gauss.
Genetic structure in the local endemic Astragalus
anisus: implications for conservation.
Gretchen Moran and
Robin Bingham.
Genetic comparison of white-tailed ptarmigan
populations and subspecies.
Craig Stanton and Jessica Young.
GIS and Aquatic Biology
Digital
land-cover map of the Upper Gunnison Basin, Colorado.
Ralph Falsetto,
Patrick Kline, John Sowell, and Allen Stork.
Chemical characteristics and aquatic macroinvertebrate
diversity, abundance, and biomass in thermal backwaters and hyporheic zones of Tomichi Creek, Gunnison County.
Brigid Heckel, Patrick Magee, and Anne Ryter.
Regeneration of riparian communities: a comparison
between grazed and burned plots.
Caroline Janik and Robin Bingham.
Wildlife Biology
Forest Structure in Northern Goshawk Nesting
Site Areas in the Gunnison Basin.
Destin Harrell and Jessica
Young.
Using GIS to compare abiotic factors influencing
habitat use by bighorn sheep in two introduced populations.
Brandon
Diamond, Jessica Young, and Allen Stork.
An investigation of female aggressive behavior on
Gunnison Sage-Grouse Leks.
Mary Lehl, Jeannette Hildred, and
Jessica Young.