ENV Students Experience a Scientific Conference

Thanks to funding from the Lucille Werlinich Environmental Science Student’s Fund, five Purchase College Environmental Studies students got their first experience at a scientific conference this April.

ENV students and Professor Allyson Jackson attended the joint meeting of the Northeast Natural History Conference, Association of Field Ornithologists, and Wilson Ornithological Society, which was held virtually due to covid. The conference included both oral and poster presentations of research, mentoring opportunities for students, panel discussions, a film festival, and various keynote addresses from researchers.

ENV Senior Tiffani Rushford presented her senior project research as a virtual poster and had this to say about the experience:

“Attending the Northeast Natural History Conference in 2021 was quite an experience. Even though this event was virtual, I presented my undergraduate research on a poster and I got a lot of useful information about current environmental research and jobs. This event was great for networking as well, I got to chat with fellow undergraduate researchers and professors about what to expect after undergrad, different job options, and tips for graduate school. I want to incorporate what I’ve learned during this conference into environmental programs to teach at the nature center I work at to inform the public about cool scientific finds.”

Other students in attendance were equally excited to see research first-hand and connect with other researchers.

Kristen Pareti: “The conference was a great way to connect with like-minded scientists on varying levels of their career and education. It was inspirational to see their research and feel confident that I can make a difference too.”

Eric Beilin: “Attending the Northeast Natural History Conference was a truly great experience. Not only did I increase my general knowledge by learning about the research being done in this field, but I learned about how I can move forward in my education and career. The networking and information sessions will be something that will help as I take the next steps in my professional life.”

Alyssa Rosenberger: “I loved learning about the research of pollinator populations and their interactions with native plants. It made me excited to get involved in our own native garden on campus!”

Andre Selino: “I learned how the natural sciences community is a large group of people who are insightful, scientifically creative, and have a desire to learn more about fields outside of their expertise but within the natural sciences. We constantly continue to question the natural world around us and ponder on how we can solve problems in such a widespread field. There’s so much we can examine in the natural world but at the end of the day they all intertwine. The NENHC is a prime example of how us scientists/student scientists in this broad field can intertwine and work together to solve problems and issues that need the public’s attention. It’s a way we can all come together with expert knowledge and insight on differing subfields of the natural sciences to solve problems and make this world a better place while inspiring others to do the same.”