2008-2009 Fellows
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Cohorts Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
My name is Adriana Leiva. I was born in Austin, Texas, but raised in Mexico. I am a Biology major, focusing on marine systems at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Currently, I am working on a morphological study of Sulu Gobies (Acentrogobius suluensis) in the South Pacific. I will be working in the upper Gulf of California for my SEEDS research. The vaquita (Phocoena sinus),one of six true porpoises (Phocoenidae) that can still be found around the world, are an endemic to the upper Gulf of California and have the most restricted distribution of any marine mammal. They are vulnerable to extinction due to their rarity (the most recent population estimate was 567 individuals, Jaramillo-Legorreta et al., 1999)and restricted distribution. Biologists working on the conservation efforts of the vaquita have suggested establishing a protected zone for the long-term conservation efforts of the vaquita and/or a buyout of the fishery. Although many individuals from many institutions and countries have been involved in activities to nominally address the problem, little to no progress has been made with respect to implementing solutions. The focus of my project will be to investigate the reasons for the “implementation gap”. We will collect data through interviews of persons involved in any capacity with vaquita using standardized questions. Analysis of answers will provide a means to identify the gaps in conservation efforts. Project title: “Why do species go extinct: A closer look at implementation gaps in vaquita (Phocoena sinus) conservation.”
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 Ana Elisa Perez QuinteroUniversity of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Mentor: Helda MoralesThere in the middle of the Huitepec “arvenses” grow, good weed that helps other species grow. They don’t discriminate, even though they are so useful and appreciated, they keep their humbleness. I will study the management of “arvences” in three organic farms in the highlands of San Cristobal, Chiapas. I will always refer to “arvences’” by their Spanish name, Tzeltal, Tzotzil and Scientific names so that anyone will understand what plant it is. We will also be studying the awareness farmers and children in five rural schools have towards these weeds and why they are so important in agriculture. I am Ana Elisa and I have lived all my life in the heart of the city in Río Piedras, where I currently study Environmental Community Health at the University of Puerto Rico. Even though my life has been spent in an urban context, my family is from Morovis and has always found time to explore our island (it’s pretty easy to see it all since it’s really small). Sometimes when we didn’t have the time to travel, I continued those trips by painting, writing, or reading about the same things I found so exhilarating in science and nature. Right now my priority is to do research in ecology, so that I can acquire knowledge of different techniques that can be applied or modified for a healthier Puerto Rico. Project Title: “Organic vs. conventional: Weed management in the agricultural systems in the suburban areas of San Cristóbal de las Casas.” |
 Brittany MilesJohnson C. Smith University Mentor: Sandra Clinton and Amy RingwoodI am Brittany Miles from Decatur, GA and I am a junior at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. I chose to major in Biology because science is such a major part of every day life. I find it amazing that life itself, fromthe smallest plant seed to the largest organism in the world, are all part of one big cycle. I never imagined that my academic career would lead me to the field of ecology, but Dr. Fail brought it out of me. His passion for the environment, for life, and for knowledge has inspired me. He challenges me every day to be a part of a solution. My hopes and dreams at the end of my educational career are to be armed with the knowledge and ability to make a difference, and to help the environment and people to live pure, safe, and meaningful lives. She will be working with two mentors for her fellowship, Dr. Amy Ringwood and Dr. Sandra Clinton, both of the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Brittany will be studying microbial dniversity in streams. She will be looking at their genetic make-up (some bacteria swap genetic material in order to survive), how many different species are in a sample, and any environmental factors that may have an impact on their diversity. |
 Colleen CooleyNorthern Arizona University Mentors: Larry Stevens and Emily Omana Hello. My name is Colleen Cooley and I am currently attending Northern Arizona University (NAU) as a junior studying environmental sciences with an emphasis in management. I was born and raised on the Navajo Nation, specifically from a small rural community called Shonto, Arizona. My family and I grew up with no running water and electricity and we continue to live the same lifestyle ever since my parents moved to this beautiful place I call home. Therefore, my lifestyle revolved around animals and the environment and being creative with what we had around my home. From the time I began to understand the issues within the environment surrounding the Navajo tribe, I knew I wanted to return to the Reservation and help them in any way I can, which led me into the environmental sciences field. As I grew older, I learned more and more about the many issues surrounding our environment. I believe my older sister was another reason I chose to go into the environmental field because she knew a lot about the environment and the importance of recycling. I would love to learn more about the policy aspect of managing the environment, especially with the issues the Native American tribes are facing with their lands. In addition, I’m interested in learning more about conservation with water on Native lands because I come from a reservation where water is sacred and precious to my people and strip mining has taken most of our water just to provide electricity for people in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. I would like to share my knowledge about policy and management on Native lands with the Native American tribes who don’t understand why these environmental issues on their lands are continuing to affect them and why not much is being done about it. Project Title:”Improving Springs Ecosystems Stewardship: A Rapid Multi-Cultural Inventory and Assessment Approach.” |
 Sarah RenteriaUniversity of Texas at El Paso Mentor: Jeremy Jones and Amanda RinehartHello, my name is Sarah Renteria and I will be conducting my fellowship research in the Caribou Creek Watershed outside of Fairbanks, Alaska! My mentors are Jay Jones and Amanda Rinehart who study the effect of permafrost on watershed hydrology and nutrient fluxes. This summer I will be asking how phosphorus uptake varies in streams with different extents of permafrost. I’m currently at the University of Texas at El Paso and grew up in the Chihuahuan Desert. Not until I started studying ecology did I appreciate the uniqueness of the desert and really fell in love with the magic of nature. The SEEDS trip to Chiapas Mexico was my huge eye opener where I discovered my passion for ecology and people. In the future I hope to work with everyday day people with different cultural backgrounds and form the important link between science and education. Reaching out and making science, especially ecology, comprehensible to people outside the scientific community is vital in changing people’s perspective on how they live their lives and their viewpoint of nature. |
 Serge FarinasClayton State University Mentor: Beth MiddletonMy name is Serge Farinas and I’m a Biology major at Clayton State University. I was first exposed to ecology through my advisor, Dr. Boudell, who has really helped me to focus my interests. I always knew that I wanted to do something that was applicable to the environmental issues we are currently dealing with, and so far I am feeling very satisfied with the direction ecology is taking me. I have done work in forest ecosystems and feel very much at home there. Right now, I am enjoying the beginning stages of research. I feel very honored to have been given this privilege. I hope that my research will show my appreciation, as I endeavor to do something that will benefit our community. He will be doing his fellowship research with Dr. Beth Middleton of the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. The focus of his study will be on wetland ecology and climate change. |
Adriana Leiva