Spring Celebration & Awards Night
Nicole Choma, Outstanding Senior, Environmental Science
Nicole is double majoring in environmental science and biology. She is in the Honors College, is a National Merit Scholar and a Westfall Scholar, and is the recipient of a ÁùºÏ±¦µä Undergraduate Research Award and the Sam Lieberman Regents' Award for Student Scholarship. She has participated in multiple research projects and is co-author on several papers from her work with the Gustin Lab. Nicole served as Woodwind Captain of the Wolf Pack Marching Band. She plans to attend graduate school.
Mitch Aikin, Outstanding Senior, Forest Ecology & Management
Mitch is double majoring in forest ecology and management, and environmental science. He received numerous scholarships, including the Doyle Foundation Scholarship, the Sherman T. Scholarship and a ÁùºÏ±¦µä Alumni Association Scholarship. In addition to classwork, Mitch has worked in the Gustin and Leger Labs. During the summer of 2021, Mitch was a restoration crew member for the Walker Basin Conservancy. After graduation, Mitch begins a U.S. Forest Service position doing post-fire vegetation monitoring across the Great Basin.
Brenda Soto Lopez, Outstanding Senior, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Brenda completed an Associate of Science degree at Truckee Meadows Communtiy College followed by her bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology and conservation at the University. She is a member of Pi Kappa Delta and is a recipient of the Marion Thompson Scholarship. Brenda is interested in digital illustration and environmental education. She is biliterate in Spanish and English. After graduation, Brenda plans to travel and then hopes to become a park ranger with the National Park Service.
Helen Kesting, Outstanding Master's Student, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology
Helen is a master's student in the Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Graduate Program, and she will graduate this spring. She is being supervised by Scott Allen, and her research focuses on predicting landscape-scale precipitation routing as a function of remotely sensed vegetation indices. Helen has shown extraordinary initiative and is on track to have two manuscripts published from her work. In addition, she received a ÁùºÏ±¦µä NASA Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship.
Daniel Nielsen, Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology
Daniel obtained his Ph.D. from the Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Graduate Program under supervision of Marjorie Matocq. His research focused on how diet specialization in small mammals contributes to the maintenance of species boundaries. He published his work in several high-profile peer-reviewed journals. In addition to his research, he maintained a high degree of service to the University while also furthering his commitment to science communication with the public.
ÁùºÏ±¦µä our College
The College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources is a founding college of our land-grant University. We have a long and distinguished record of fulfilling the land-grant mission to provide teaching, research and outreach programs that grow the health and economic vitality of ÁùºÏ±¦µä.
Life-improving research
Our top-notch research opportunities for students and faculty address important local issues. Our discoveries meet the world's needs, now and for a brighter future.
Lifelong learning
Our Extension programs, such as 4-H, solve problems and address critical issues to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of ÁùºÏ±¦µäns.
Undergraduate learning
Our four academic departments offer rich learning and research experiences. This builds broad foundations, grows deep expertise and impacts entire fields of knowledge.
Graduate learning
Our opportunities to participate in, lead, present and publish life-improving research enriches students and launches careers while disrupting fields of knowledge.
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