Student Highlights: Adalyn Vergara
— MEET ADALYN —
Class: Senior
Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management; Environment and Natural Resources
My name is Adalyn Vergara and I am from Greeley, CO. Growing up I was highly involved in athletics but always found time to go outside to be active and explore, inspiring my fascination in the biology of plants, animals, and insects. This interest of mine led me to the University of Wyoming where I study Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management as well as Environment and Natural Resources. While I finish my bachelor’s in Laramie, I also enjoy hiking, exploring all the local coffee shops, and working at the Wyoming State Vet Lab.
— ADALYN’S RESEARCH —
I am working with my mentor, Lauren Azevedo Schmidt (PhD candidate in Ecology) and advisor Dr. Ellen Currano (Botany). My team and I are currently studying the relationship between leaf mass per area and insect herbivory across two temperate forest ecosystems in order to quantify the effects of the environment on plant-insect interactions. Comparing past and modern flora and insect relationships throughout deep time will help us understand how these interactions will be influenced as climate change ensues.
ABOUT STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Every year, we award fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students attending the University of Wyoming or one of Wyoming’s community colleges in order to provide them with the opportunity to do “real” research. Occasionally, we feature one of these students and their research on this blog. For more information about our student fellowships, visit our College Programs page.