Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  University of Toronto

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Although there are many biological topics that could grab my attention, my research interests fall in the category of aquatic ecology. As a Masters student I studied the changes in ice on lakes during the winter as a result of climate change and as a PhD student I am studying the patterns in fish species in different parts of the world. I also have broader interests in topics like climate change and invasive species. In terms of my plant related background, I took a plant physiology course during my undergrad and directed a plant biology lab during my Masters.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  In high school, one of the topics I was most interested in was science/biology. One day someone mentioned to me the idea of becoming a marine biologist, and I thought it sounded neat so I would talk about it as an idea when someone asked what I was interested in. Over time that idea really stuck with me and I thought I really did have an interest in being a scientist that works in aquatic environments. As high school progressed I took courses that would get me into an undergrad biology program and I have followed that path ever since! Now I am a PhD student at U of T studying lake fish.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  One of the coolest things I learned about plants recently is how to help the fertilization process for my tomato plant. Apparently you are able to help the process by tapping the flowers once they bloom so that the pollen gets moved so that they can self-fertilize. I tried it and it looks like it may have worked! I got a number of tomatoes this year...and it got a bit out of control!

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is a typical day like for you?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  There are many things that could be involved in a "typical day" as a grad student. My daily activities range from working on my research, to being a teaching assistant and guiding undergrad students through labs, to meeting with my supervisors and lab mates, to writing applications for scholarships and other admin work, to taking courses. If it's a really odd week, we may be attending and presenting our work at a conference! As a grad student you get to be involved in a number of cool activities, and one of the perks is that you have some ability to tailor it to things you enjoy. But if I were to bring it back to a very "typical" day, I am usually on my computer working on my research or prepping and going to classes.

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

Agronomy 6 Bailey Hewitt Nov 4, 2019

No problem at all! I hope you guys enjoyed your project, it was fun to work with you. Good luck with the rest of your semester! :)

Agronomy 6 Bailey Hewitt Nov 4, 2019

Hi guys!

Sorry my answer is delayed this week!

Those results are interesting! Looks like you are on to something since you noticed that the mammoth sunflowers seem to grow better. Do you see something/know something about the mammoth…

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Hi guys!

Sorry my answer is delayed this week!

Those results are interesting! Looks like you are on to something since you noticed that the mammoth sunflowers seem to grow better. Do you see something/know something about the mammoth sunflowers that is different than the rest of the sunflower types? To me, it looks like mammoth sunflowers are used to using their resources to grow very tall and large. Maybe this helps them take advantage of any resource they can get from any of the soils and they can put it towards growth, rather than using the resources for other things. Does this go along with anything you have discussed?

Agronomy 6 Bailey Hewitt Oct 27, 2019

Hi Kennedy,

Thanks for the update! That's neat! Have you thought about why the mammoth sunflowers in the Ohio soil are growing the best?