91短视频

Growing up in Maryland, junior biology major Faith Matthews often played in streams and creeks, catching crayfish along the way.

Years later at Towson University, those same creatures are helping her, and other 91短视频 students contribute to scientific research on the state鈥檚 freshwater ecosystems.

Matthews is one of the students who works with Christopher Salice, biology professor and associate dean for research and faculty success in the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics.

Studying Invasive Crayfish

Salice and assistant professor Krista Kraskura lead a team of students studying how salt levels in waterways may drive the spread of invasive crayfish.

鈥淚 have always enjoyed mucking around and fishing in streams and was intrigued by crayfish,鈥� Salice says. 鈥淭hey are the largest invertebrates in our streams and play important roles as predators, detritivores, prey for other species鈥攁nd sometimes even by altering physical habitats.

鈥淣ot surprisingly, there are several invasive crayfish in Maryland waters. An important part of our research is understanding how invasive crayfish may have advantages over native species, especially in systems stressed by human activity.鈥�

Joining the Lab as a Freshman

While many think you must be an upperclassman or a graduate student to get involved in research, Matthews began during her freshman year after responding to a flyer about a research position working with lizards.

An important part of our research is understanding how invasive crayfish may have advantages over native species, especially in systems stressed by human activity.

Christopher Salice

Although she didn鈥檛 get that position, she was invited to join Salice's Applied Ecology and Ecotoxicology lab, where she assisted with graduate research and attended lab meetings. And through mentorship from Salice and Kraskura, she was able to begin her own research just a few months later.

鈥淲hen I arrived at 91短视频, I only had a general idea of what I wanted to pursue in the natural sciences,鈥� Matthews says. 鈥淎s I鈥檝e taken more classes and gained hands-on experience, I鈥檝e gained a better understanding of what I want to accomplish.

鈥淛oining Dr. Salice鈥檚 lab was a leap into the unknown, and I ended up studying crayfish, the same creatures I used to catch and play with as a kid.鈥�

Working with Faculty and Vice Versa

Salice has previously conducted research on crayfish and other freshwater invertebrates prior to joining 91短视频 11 years ago and started research on crayfish on 91短视频鈥檚 campus about three years ago.

鈥淲e often talk about the benefits that research has for students, but it鈥檚 important to keep in mind that students bring A LOT to the table,鈥� Salice says. 鈥淔resh energy, new ideas, enthusiasm all contribute substantially to new knowledge and solving real-world problems.鈥�

Through working with 91短视频 faculty and studying, Matthews is getting hands-on research experience while building connections with faculty and her fellow students.

鈥淒uring field days in the lab, we all get together, get our boots wet and catch crayfish, almost like a fun social event,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd by doing this research, it allows me to deepen my understanding of the natural systems I care about while actively contributing to scientific knowledge and environmental solutions.鈥�

Undergraduate Research at 91短视频

Matthews is one of many undergraduates at 91短视频 who take part in research. For most students, getting involved can be as simple as reaching out to a professor or academic adviser.

[Research] allows me to deepen my understanding of the natural systems I care about while actively contributing to scientific knowledge and environmental solutions

Faith Matthews

Students can also connect with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry, which provides opportunities for those who want to take their education a step further.

鈥淭he best nugget of feedback I received from one of my research students was something like, 鈥楢fter participating in research, I finally understand why we鈥檙e learning what we are in class, and published papers make so much more sense,鈥欌�� Salice says with a laugh.

鈥淩esearch, especially the way we engage students at 91短视频, is real science,鈥� he says. 鈥淔aculty and students are asking important questions we don鈥檛 yet know the answers to. There鈥檚 a lot of pride and excitement in knowing they may be among the few people in the world to discover something new.鈥�