April Science Seminar: Graduate Student Research Showcase

Date and Time
April 22, 2024, 12:00 pm CDT

 

The Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center is helping build the next generation of climate adaptation scientists by offering undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers hands-on experience in research production and community engagement, training opportunities, and mentorship. 

Our April Science Seminar will feature research presentations from two affiliated graduate students: Wendy Leuenberger of Michigan State University and Shasta Kamara of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Join us to learn about Wendy and Shasta's work and ask questions about what they've learned. 

Register Here

About Our Speakers 

Wendy Leuenberger with a butterfly on her finger

 

Wendy Leuenberger (she/her) is a PhD candidate at Michigan State University in Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. Wendy is broadly interested in using quantitative methods to understand and predict species dynamics and determine appropriate conservation actions. Wendy is developing data integration methods to evaluate trends in butterfly species and communities in the Midwestern United States over the last thirty years.

Shasta Kamara holding a small paddlefish next to a tank.

 

Shasta Kamara (she/her) is PhD student in the Program of Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on differences in Paddlefish across their range and aims to inform the conservation and management of the species. To do this, she has combined laboratory and field studies to provide insight into the influence of thermal variation on Paddlefish stress response and post-release behavior. With warming environments, thermal variation may pose a threat to Paddlefish recovery and survival after enduring capture stressors. 

This is the final seminar in our spring series. The summer 2024 seminar series will be announced soon! Sign up for the MW CASC newsletter to receive updates.