What are you up to now?

Ernesto I. Rodriguez

REU '07

Mentor: Aaron Ellison

Project: Effects of Deer Population in Ant Density in Black Rock Forest, Quabbin Reservoir, and Simes Tract (abstract)

Hometown: Yuma, AZ

College and major: Northern Arizona University, Environmental Sciences with Biology Emphasis, class of 2009

• What you miss most about the REU program: The food and the tranquility of the forest.
• What you miss least about the REU program: The blood sucking insects.
• What about the REU program has stuck with you: I continue to study ants, as I did in my project. However, I changed the focus of my studies slightly.
• Have you stayed in touch with other REU students?: I have continued relationships with a few my fellow 2007-REU-ers, mainly through the internet.
• Whether your REU experience supported or changed your career plans: The REU completely changed my career plans. Before I entered the program I was a science education major, and once I left, I became an environmental science major.
• What you're up to now: In Summer '09, I will be participating in the first scientific ant survey in Navajo Natio lands. I will be collecting specimens and doing lab work in my molecular genetics project on Brachymyrmex depilis.
• Read more about Ernesto's work after his REU program here.