Natalie Graham will spend her final semester of college studying coral off the coast of Bermuda. The senior biology major from the 杏吧专区 will be participating in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. The REU program is funded by the National Science Foundation.
The competitive, semester-long program allows undergraduates to conduct individual research projects in a collaborative team environment under the expert mentorship of the institute杏吧专区檚 faculty and staff.
Graham will be researching the functionality of shallow water reefs near Bermuda.
杏吧专区淚t is surreal that I杏吧专区檓 taking part in this program,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檝e always wanted to do coral research, but as anyone in marine biology knows, it杏吧专区檚 popular and hard to get your foot in the door. Now that I have this opportunity, I杏吧专区檓 going to try my absolute best to keep the door from closing.杏吧专区
She noted she is excited about spending most days in the water, conducting research on corals and their environments. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檒l be spending my final semester doing what I love. Just having a paid internship in my field of choice before even graduating is more than I could ever imagine.杏吧专区
Throughout the semester, students will give presentations that outline their research topic, methods, and results, including a final presentation to faculty, staff, and visiting students. REU students will also participate in a variety of field excursions to learn about Bermuda's natural history, flora and fauna as well as workshops and seminars given by the institute杏吧专区檚 faculty.
杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 a real coup for one of our students to be selected for this program,杏吧专区 said Dr. Beth Stauffer, an associate professor of biology at UL Lafayette. 杏吧专区淣atalie will be conducting field research on corals while there and getting credit through our department as she finishes up her bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree.杏吧专区
Graham will earn a degree in biology with a concentration in evolution, ecology, and marine biology in December. After that, she plans to get her master杏吧专区檚 degree in marine conservation/ecology, specifically studying climate effects.
Photo caption: Undergraduate student Natalie Graham. Submitted photo