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Megan Meuti, a third year majoring in entomology and microbiology, began researching in Dr. Susan Jones' Termite Lab in 2005. While initially just assisting in the lab, Megan began to work on her own research projects, and is continuing to develop new research areas in the lab.
What advice would you give to current undergraduates who want to get involved in research?
I would advise current students interested in research to dream big and stay passionate. If there is a certain topic that interests you, pursue it! Consult faculty who do similar work, discover what other researchers have found, and with enough passion, persistence and perspective, all of the pesky details will become resolved. It is also essential to be flexible and patient; as you begin your research, you may discover that the project that you first investigate needs modifications, or you may have to restart an experiment after overlooking an important detail. Remember that research is a process that affords you the opportunity to learn more from your failures than successes.
What project are you currently working on?
Currently, I am conducting research to determine if and to what extent nitrogen fixation depends on the concentration of nitrogen in food sources by groups of termites hat feed on either wood (low N), pine needles, or aspen leaves (high N).
How did you find this research topic?
I first became interested in this topic while reading A Neotropical Companion, a required text for Dr. Peter Curtis’ class in tropical field ecology. The text suggested that termites might add a substantial amount of nitrogen to the soil of tropical ecosystems, where it is an essential nutrient that limits plant growth. This topic immediately caught my attention as I was working as a research assistant in Dr. Jones’ termite lab, and wanted to integrate my interests in entomology, microbiology and ecology into a unique research experiment.
What have you enjoyed in your experience?
While I have greatly enjoyed discussing my topic with my research advisors and am extremely appreciative of their help and support, what I have most valued is the independence and tremendous sense of ownership I have over my work. From creating the experimental design and applying for grants, to developing necessary techniques and troubleshooting when all does not go as planned, I have had the opportunity to think critically, creatively and freely. Therefore, I have grown and benefited from this experience, more so than in any inside of the classroom.
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