Tarleton REU Program

The 2021 REU cohort with their research posters at the 2021 REU symposium at Timberlake Biological Field Station:

REU research spotlight: Jose Martinez

Home Institution: Wharton County Community College, Texas

REU Mentor: Dr. Dustin Edwards, Dept of Biological Sciences

Jose is working with Dr. Edwards to develop PCR protocols to test animal droppings, such as birds and bats, for viruses like retroviruses and coronaviruses. These protocols would allow for the non-invasive testing of wildlife (i.e., no need to capture animals and take a blood sample) to identify and monitor viruses.

REU research spotlight: Nicole Herbert

Home Institution: Tarrant County College, Texas

REU Mentors: Dr. Arthur Low, Dept of Chemistry and Ms. Joree Burnett, Dept of Geology

Nicole is collecting water from the Colorado River at Timberlake and using HPLC methods to identify pharmaceutical compounds. This will lend insight into the pharmaceuticals and other chemical pollutants in the river and identify potential sources of pollution upriver from the station.

The REU cohort headed out on a fun adventure at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center to celebrate the end of a week of statistical analysis and poster preparation in week 9. They also visited Dinosaur Valley State Park to see the tracks and have a swim. It's hard to believe only one week remains!

REU research spotlight: Nayeli Medina

Home Institution: Tarleton State University

REU Mentor: Dr. Robert Cavazos, Dept of Sociology

Nayeli is working with Dr. Cavazos to collect surveys of residents near the field station to gauge perceptions and concerns of water quality and pollution of the Colorado River. This will lend insight into social aspects of water quality and environmental policy in the area, which can be used to develop future research and educational outreach programs at Timberlake.