I recently presented research at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH), I had the opportunity to enter into the student competition, mainly consisting of graduate students, for the chance to win the Tracy I. Storer Award.
My research investigates how varying water parameters influence trematode intensity and prevalence on freshwater fish. My results thus far have supported that its prevalence in the ecosystem has dramatically decreased compared to previous years. This sheds light on the relevancy of parasite conservation in the ever-changing world of the Anthropocene.
At the conference, I attended presentations given by experts in the field which allowed me to reflect upon what I might want to research in a graduate program or what kinds of job opportunities would be available to me in the future.
I am forever grateful to the Honors Program for providing me with the opportunity and funding to develop, conduct, and present this thesis project. I’d also like to thank the College of Natural and Health Sciences and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry for additional grants and funding.
Thank you,
Claude Lee