Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  Dartmouth College

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Changes in plant and animal communities, conservation, pollination, effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors

  
  
• 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):

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

  In 6th grade, our English teacher gave us an assignment to report on someone who had an awesome job we would love to have. I found Jane Goodall, a scientist who went out to Tanzania to study chimpanzees. I learned she went to college to study ethology (the study of animal behavior). So, throughout 6th grade, I wanted to be an ethologist.

  
  

  Then, in seventh grade, I learned about ecology. I wanted to be an ecologist. That stuck! I'm an ecologist.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  What is your favorite plant? Why?
  
  

  Vaccinium uliginosum, which is a dwarf blueberry. It is the plant I study, and the berries are DELICIOUS.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

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

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

  Advice for future scientists:
  
  

  Science is challenging. That is what makes it fun! Don't be afraid to be challenged, don't be afraid to try something new, and don't be afraid to change your mind about your career trajectory. If you think you want to be a scientist and later decide you want to be something else, that's great too! All the hard work you do will help you in any career.

  
  
  

  Don't be afraid to fail.

  
  

  Don't be afraid to fail.

  
  

  Don't be afraid to fail.

  
  
• Availability

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

  
  
• In addition to English, I am comfortable communicating with students in the following languages:

  (not set)

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

hvchsuclesfall2018 project 2 Christine Urbanowicz Nov 2, 2018

Hi all! How's it going? I'm curious - do you have results? 

hvchsuclesfall2018 project 2 Christine Urbanowicz Oct 23, 2018

Hi Ellie, I just want to reiterate that if the fly (as seen in image) was only on the petals, it is not acting as a pollinator. Pollinators need to transfer pollen from anthers to stigmas, so they need to be touching either the anthers or the…

more

Hi Ellie, I just want to reiterate that if the fly (as seen in image) was only on the petals, it is not acting as a pollinator. Pollinators need to transfer pollen from anthers to stigmas, so they need to be touching either the anthers or the stigmas (i.e., the reproductive organs). If they are, they may be pollinators.  Were all of the insects you saw just hanging out on the petals? 

Also, mosquitos can be pollinators. Females that cannot get blood meals and all males (all of which don't take blood meals) will go to flowers to feed on nectar. When the mosquitos are visiting those flowers, they can transport some pollen from flower to flower. Cool, right?! Again though, to be considered pollinators, these mosquitos need to touch the anthers or the stigmas to get that pollen on them and to transfer that pollen. 

Does your group have a good idea of where the anthers and stigmas are on kale and mums? 

hvchsuclesfall2018 project 2 Christine Urbanowicz Oct 19, 2018

Darn! It looks like frost damage. Were they kept outside? Also, bees and flies don't like flying in the cold (they are exothermic), so that could also contribute to seeing no pollinators. The picture you uploaded shows some buds...maybe…

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Darn! It looks like frost damage. Were they kept outside? Also, bees and flies don't like flying in the cold (they are exothermic), so that could also contribute to seeing no pollinators. The picture you uploaded shows some buds...maybe they will open soon. I am guessing insects are going to be flying this afternoon  - it is going to be warm!