Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities

oak lake webpage

Available Awards

• Jon Haertel Endowment for Work on Vertebrate Animals
• Charles and Marcia McMullen Endowment of Undergraduate Research in Natural Resources

Contact

• Dr. Charles Fenster - Director and Professor
• Dr. Bruce Eichhorst - Assistant Director

2021 Summer Research Topics

1. Herpetological research with Dr. Bruce Eichhorst at OLFS

For the past two summers I have been developing a research program on reptiles at OLFS.  My main target species are Red-bellied Snakes (RBS) and Prairie Skinks (PS), but there are also Common and Plains Gartersnakes, and Painted Turtles.  Undergraduate students interested in working with me will get to work on a variety of topics related to reptile ecology but could also work on some aspects related to amphibian species found at OLFS.  Because I will be living at the station, I will be available daily to work directly with students, thus providing them with extensive direction, mentorship and exposure to field techniques.  The following are some of the topics students will get to work on.

• Assess population status of RBS and PS and their use of different habitat types
• Determine efficacy of using cover objects to attract snakes and skinks
• Assess attraction effectiveness of different materials that can be used for cover objects (e.g., wood, metal, roofing shingles, etc.)
• Determine thermal environment under cover objects and its influence on periods of reptile use throughout the day
• Mark snakes and skinks for mark-recapture population estimates
• Photograph and collect RBS to assess color and body pattern variation
• Determine relative frequency of Common and Plains Gartersnakes at the station
• Assess degree of ectoparasite infestation in skinks
• Experiment with new methods to attract female skinks (i.e., artificial nest sites)
• Measure and mark female Painted Turtles that nest on trails at the station

2. Relationships among Aquatic Species Diversity and Shoreline Development with Dr. Alison Coulter

In the Prairie Pothole Region, increasing human land use has led to the loss and degradation of aquatic habitats.  For example, the cultivation of row crops increases dissolved sediment which can lead to algae blooms and low oxygen conditions which can kill aquatic life.  Humans may also remove shoreline vegetation which can also increase sediments as the loss of vegetation destabilizes soil. Degradation of aquatic habitats from shoreline development can be minimized by employing best practices such as retaining native vegetation buffer strips.  However, control of shorelines may belong to multiple landowners or it may be infeasible for a landowner to keep a vegetation buffer along their entire shoreline.  Therefore, it is important to know if small areas of undeveloped shoreline can positively influence aquatic species and habitat. This study will use Oak Lake and 2 additional lakes to examine if variation in shoreline type can influence small scale aquatic species diversity and habitat quality.  Oak Lake has a variable shoreline types including areas with row crops with small vegetation buffers, mowed grasses right up to the water, forested areas, and prairie/shrub areas.  The student who completes this project will establish aquatic quadrats along different shoreline types and will monitor fish number and species diversity, aquatic invertebrate diversity, and aquatic habitat characteristics (e.g., temperature, water clarity) in each quadrat.  In addition to sample collection at Oak Lake, this project will involve work identifying collected aquatic invertebrates on campus and sample collection from up to 2 additional lakes.

RMEF Webpage

Available Awards

Wildlife Leadership Awards (WLA) include a $5,000 scholarship and one-year RMEF membership.

Qualifications

College juniors and seniors chosen for their leadership ability, dedication to wildlife conservation and scholastic achievements.

Application

Download the RMEF application.

Herbarium Webpage

Paid and unpaid opportunities.

Dr. Maribeth Latvis - Herbarium Director

NPI Webpage

Paid and unpaid opportunities.

Dr. Lora Perkins - NPI Lead Faculty

CREU Webpage

• each research hub will recruit 2 students.
• SDState represents one of the major research hubs.
• will provide $4000 stipend, $2000 lodging, $1000 research allowance, and professional mentoring and training.

REU-Plants Webpage

Interdisciplinary research in plant sciences linking genomes-phonomes-landscapes.

Contact

Dr. Lan Xu - mentor

Dr. Maribeth Latvis - mentor

Dr. Lora Perkins - co-mentor for a student on a seedling project.

This website will be updated soon with individual project descriptions, but we’d like to start recruiting!

• Good GPA (3.0 or better)
• Resume - including academic and research experience
• Statement of interest
• Unofficial transcript
• Letters of recommendation – ask if your references can provide you with a “strong” reference!