Pictured: Caroline Speidel and Hannah Russel, 2024 Tom Callahan Research Award recipients
Caroline Speidel and Hannah Russel, students in this summer’s Undergraduate Research Program, have been recognized with Tom Callahan Undergraduate Research Awards given in memory of former FOSA Board Member and National Science Foundation (NSF) researcher Tom Callahan. The students presented their research findings at the Blandy Research Forum in August, where an anonymous panel of impartial judges selected award winners.
Caroline, from the University of Virginia, won Most Creative Project for “Bumble Bee Nesting Preferences as Predictors of Vulnerability to a Warming Climate.” Caroline's mentor was T'ai Roulston, UVA Associate Professor and Curator of the State Arboretum of Virginia.
Hannah, also from UVA, won Best Presentation for “Assessing the Ecological Impacts of Salt on Vigna unguiculata and Its Mutualistic Relationships” Hannah's mentor was David Carr, UVA Associate Professor and Director of Blandy Experimental Farm.
The 2024 Undergraduate Research Program supported five students from around the country, all of whom completed impressive and professional research projects over the course of the the 11-week program alongside their faculty mentors. Funded by Blandy Experimental Farm and the Foundation of the State Arboretum, the program’s goal is to provide promising undergraduates with exposure to and experience in field research. Kyle J. Haynes, Associate Director and Research Professor, is the REU Director.
