Honors & Independent Studies
Thanks to our low student-faculty ratio and ample funding for undergraduate research, nearly any student who wants to do research with a botany faculty member can. In recent years students have worked with faculty on projects in many parts of New England and the continental U.S., as well as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Venezuela, and Peru, in addition to laboratories in New London Hall.
Faculty-student collaborations often lead to presentations a conferences and co-authorship of papers in top science journals. Connecticut College botany majors have presented their work and won awards at the Northeast Algal Symposium, the New England Estuarine Research Society, the International Diatom Symposium, the Botanical Society of America, and the American Society of Plant Biologists.
One botany student was the first author of a book on Connecticut lakes before he graduated. Two others recently presented their research on tidal marsh ecology at regional and international scientific meetings. Many students have worked with Professor Siver to create and maintain an interactive, searchable database on lakes and ponds (the Silica Secchi Disk).
Current Projects
- Ultrastructural changes in the digestive glands of Nepenthes alata during protein absorption. Professor Owen and Sarah Beaudoin '09.
- Comparison of nectary and digestive gland morphology from six species of Nepenthes. Professor Owen, Lesley Sutherland '09, Sarah Beaudoin '09, and Melissa Dusch (the Hotchkiss School).
- Activation of signaling pathways during xylogenesis in cultured stem cells of Zinnia elegans mesophyll. Professor Owen and Patty Arensun '11.
- Scanning electron microscopy survey of bacteria. Professor Owen and Rachel Zwick '08.
Botany and Biology faculty also advise students on projects in the biological sciences and environmental studies.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 15:16