Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Cedar creek ecosystem science reserve

  
  
• Employment Status

  University / College Staff

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I study the ecology of invasive plants and am interested in what management strategies (fire, seed addition, invasive removal, etc.) are best for restoring ecosystems that have been damaged by invasive plants or human development. I love working in freshwater wetlands, lakes, and prairies, and I love identifying plants (grasses and wildflowers) and insects! I'm currently studying the effects of prairie habitat fragmentation on bumblebee diversity.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

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

  You do not need to know exactly what you want to study or who you want to work for. Enjoying a lot of different topics is okay and normal. Don't plan every detail of your future-it's great to have a vision but take this from a scientist: most things don't go according to plan! As long as you take all of the opportunities that come your way, take time to talk to scientists, and ask a lot questions, it will work out!

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is a typical day like for you?

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

  Lately, on a typical day, I go to my research station and train myself and my trainee on identifying plants. We go for prairie walks and look for plants to collect and then identify. We then help with data collection by sorting and weighing plant clippings. We go sample bumblebees in the early afternoon when they are most active. I go home and work on writing my research papers and making graphs. I enjoy hiking and pressing plants to identify and make art designs with in my freetime!

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

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

  In high school, science was a class, not a career. I enjoyed science, my biology teacher helped my fall in love with it, but still, I had no clue being a scientist was a real career (especially a scientist that does field work work in nature). I wouldn't have seen myself becoming an accomplished scientist in a million years.

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

pumpkin Clarissa Moore Nov 1, 2023

Very cool results! 

pumpkin Clarissa Moore Oct 14, 2023

My favorite invasive plant I've studied is Phragmites. It's a reed and I used it to make straws and flutes, and it's really pretty! That's an awesome career goal, good luck!

pumpkin Clarissa Moore Oct 14, 2023

Yes I have a rescue dog named Kaylee! She also really loves exploring nature You don't even like butterflies?