Meet the Center for Tree Science undergraduate research program participants and learn more about their projects and experiences at The Morton Arboretum.
2020 Undergraduate Researchers
The REU program went virtual in 2020, with participants working remotely from home on their independent, mentored research projects. Students attended weekly scientific writing seminars, field-based group activities, professional development opportunities, and research presentations from the scientists and staff that help make The Morton Arboretum exceptional.
Major funding provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program and Morton Salt; other funding as noted.
Theodore James Bohdanowycz
Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan
U.S Wild Harvested Tree Species: A Conservation Snapshot
Advisors: Dr. Jessica Turner-Skoff, Dr. Murphy Westwood, and Christina Carrero
Andrew Ernat
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Exploring Remotely Sensed Data as an Indicator of Phenological Sensitivity in Oaks
Advisors: Dr. Christy Rollinson and Lucien Fitzpatrick
Maddie Fernandez-Laris
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Exploring Barriers to Recruitment of Transplanted Seedlings of the Endangered Quercus Brandegeei
Advisor: Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare
Janey R. Lienau
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
The Effects of Forest Type on Ground Beetle Abundance and Diversity
Advisors: Dr. Meghan Midgley and Dr. Rob Buchkowski
Katelyn McBride
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Sap flow variation in response to environmental factors in American sycamores
Advisors: Dr. Chuck Cannon and Samantha Panock
Tanya R. Perez
University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Tree growth in response to slope in a Highway Setting
Advisors: Dr. Jake Miesbauer and Dr. Allyson Salisbury
Kaylee J. Rosenberger
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
Sampling to capture the most genetic diversity when population sizes vary in a rare species
Advisors: Dr. Sean Hoban and Emily Schumacher
Pranav Sai
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Processing and Analyzing LiDAR Scans of Trees
Advisors: Dr. Chuck Cannon and Colby Borchetta
Leslie M. Vargas
The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
Early Detection and Rapid Response: Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Monitoring
Advisors: Dr. Chai-Shian Kua, Tricia Bethke, and Dr. Chuck Cannon
Funding provided by: Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program and Morton Salt
2019 Undergraduate Researchers
Major funding provided by the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and Morton Salt; other funding as noted.
Andrew Archundia
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois
Title: Tree Physiology and Soil Amendments in Highway Environments
Advisors: Drs. Jake Miesbauer and Allyson Salisbury
Alice Bieda
Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota
Title: Investigating Phylogenetic Trends in Vole Herbivory Patterns on Tallgrass Prairie Species
Advisors: Dr. Andrew Hipp and Marlene Hahn
Funding provided by: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental funding
Mariah Casmey
Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
Title: Using Open Source Data to Identify Conservation Priorities at Large Spatial Scales
Advisors: Dr. Murphy Westwood, Christina Carrero, and Emily Beckman
Perry Giambuzzi
University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Title: Comparison of wood growth sensitivity to timing of optimal temperatures among trees varying in xylem anatomy and mycorrhizal association
Advisor: Dr. Christy Rollinson
Sydney Kaplan
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois
Title: Drones for Tree Science: Multi-sensor 3D modeling and Precise Canopy Sampling
Advisors: Drs. Chuck Cannon and Matthew Spenko
Gabriela Krochmal
Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Title: Tree Growth Responses to Chronic Fertilization in a Lowland Tropical Rainforest
Advisors: Drs. Silvia Alvarez Clare and Richard Condit
Jessica Langguth
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Title: Fine-root functional traits across the gymnosperm phylogeny
Advisor: Dr. Luke McCormack
Jamilys Rivera
University of Puerto Rico - Humacao, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Title: Comparison of growth and recovery in response to drought stress across wood types
Advisor: Dr. Christy Rollinson
Ella Segal
Rice University, Houston, Texas
Title: The Impacts of Fine Root Mass and Soil Nitrogen Availability on Nitrogen Uptake Rate in Trees
Advisors: Drs. Meghan Midgley and Ray Dybzinski
2019 Undergraduate Research Program Participant
Bailie (Fredlock) Munoz, Research Technician Fellow (RTF)
Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois
Title: Botanic garden populations of Quercus havardii: are we conserving enough genetic diversity?
Advisor: Dr. Sean Hoban
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
2018 Undergraduate Researchers
Our thanks to Morton Salt for their generous contribution to the 2018 undergraduate research program; other funding as noted.
Alyssa L. Barrantes-Leonard
Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
Title: Species richness protects prairie species from vole herbivory
Advisors: Dr. Andrew Hipp and Mary-Claire Glasenhardt
Funding provided by: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental funding
2018_Barrantes-Leonard_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Cori L. Butkiewicz
University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland
Title: Forests on the Edge: Climate, soil and fire on the prairie-forest boundary
Advisor: Dr. Christy Rollinson
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
2018_Butkiewicz_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Elizabeth M. Gibbons
Michigan State, East Lansing, Michigan
Title: A Phylogenetic Analysis of Biodiversity in an Oak Dominated Forest of the Chicago Region
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
2018_Gibbons_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Lydia Schlaefke
Michigan State, East Lansing, Michigan
Title: Root regeneration after fall and spring root severance of two common urban tree species, Acer platanoides and Betula nigra
Advisor: Dr. Gary Watson
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
2018_Schlaefke_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Rachel S. Sims
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Title: Leaf habit versus mycorrhizal fungi association: A framework for predicting tree species effects on soil
Advisor: Dr. Meghan Midgley
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Ashley A. Wojciechowski
North Central College, Naperville, Illinois
Title: Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Understory Plants in a Chronically Fertilized Lowland Tropical Wet Forest in Costa Rica
Advisor: Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Blog Post about REEF (continuing research experience)
2018_Wojciechowski_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
2018 Undergraduate Research Program Participants
Alice Bieda
Downers Grove North High School graduate, Downers Grove, Illinois
Project: Species richness protects prairie species from vole herbivory
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp and Mary-Claire Glasenhardt
Marion Deal
Downers Grove North High School graduate, Downers Grove, Illinois
Project: Species richness protects prairie species from vole herbivory
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp and Mary-Claire Glasenhardt
Amayrani Sanchez
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois
Project: Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Understory Plants in a Chronically Fertilized Lowland Tropical Wet Forest in Costa Rica
Advisor: Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare
Mary Ashley Tenedor
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois
Project: Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Understory Plants in a Chronically Fertilized Lowland Tropical Wet Forest in Costa Rica
Advisor: Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare
2017 Undergraduate Researchers
Our thanks to Morton Salt for their generous contribution to the 2018 undergraduate research program; other funding as noted.
Amy Byrne
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Title: Diversity mechanisms shape first year survivorship in a phylogenetic and functional diversity prairie restoration experiment
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Funding provided by: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental funding
Sara Desmond
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Title: Latitude predicts leaf size in bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
Title: Examining the Effects of Bacterial Leaf Scorch on the Leaves of Quercus mongolica trees within The Morton Arboretum Collection
Advisor: Dr. Chuck Cannon
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Taskeen Khan
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Title: The Impact of Injury on Sap Flow in Quercus palustris
Advisor: Dr. Chuck Cannon
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Sierra Lopezalles
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
Title: Effects of prescribed burn regime on the growth of mature trees in Midwest oak forests
Advisor: Dr. Christy Rollinson
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Kathryn (Katie) McGee
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Title: The Effect of Prescribed Fire Regimes on Seedling Regeneration and Nitrogen Dynamics in an Oak Forest
Advisor: Dr. Silvia Alvarez Clare
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
Samantha Panock
Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Title: Uncovering belowground properties of urban forests: The relationship between root systems, soil characteristics, and fungal communities in deciduous and evergreen trees at The Morton Arboretum
Advisor: Dr. Meghan Midgley
Funding provided by: Morton Salt and Center for Tree Science
2016 Undergraduate Researchers
Mackenzie Coden
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Title: Testing protocols for preserving oak leaf tissue and extracting DNA for use in oak conservation genetic studies
Advisor: Dr. Sean Hoban
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Mackenzie's summer research experience
Alison McGarigal
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Title: Comparing the Efficiency and Accuracy of a Digital Photography and Laser Based Technique in Conducting Forest Surveys
Advisor: Dr. Chuck Cannon
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Ali's summer research experience
2016_McGarigal_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Quinn Taylor
University of San Diego, San Diego, California
Title: Burn Forest Burn: Effects of Annual Burning of Forest Soils
Advisor: Dr. Meghan Midgley
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Quinn's summer research experience
Kirsten Triller
University of Northwestern-St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota
Title: Environmental impact and influence on urban tree health of biochar and biosolids
Advisor: Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Kirsten's summer research experience
2016_Triller_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Kasey Pham
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Title: A time and place for everything: The shifting predictors of genetic diversity in the oak chloroplast
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Funding provided by: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental funding
Kasey's summer research experience
2015 Undergraduate Researchers
Mary Babiez
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Title: The correlation between basal isoprene emissions and climate of the native range within oak species
Advisor: Dr. Mark Potosnak
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Bruce Jake Berger
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Title: Isolating the invasive mechanisms of non-native canopy trees on white oak and sugar maple seedling growth
Advisor: Dr. Robert Fahey
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
2015 group blog archive
Jacob Cerminar
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Title: Biosolids and biochars initial effects on environmental quality in urban soil
Advisor: Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
Angélica Bannwart Lopes
West Virginia University & Universidade Federal de Viçosa - Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Title: Testing the accuracy of imaging software to measure tree root volumes
Advisor: Dr. Jason Miesbauer
Funding provided by: Center for Tree Science
2015 group blog archive
Erin Pfarr
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Title: Genome sizing of wild collected weigela and weigela cultivars
Advisor: Joseph Rothleutner
Funding provided by: The Daniel P. Haerther Charitable Trust
Nick Steichmann
Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
Title: Hybridization across the Bur Oak Range
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Funding provided by: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates
2014 Undergraduate Researchers
Breane Budaitis
Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio
Title: Inferring the history of morphological diversification in sedges
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Hipp
Interns: Alexa Cotton & Kasey Pham
Elizabeth (Liz) Carter
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Title: Do oak species that are genetically associated with warmer climatic niches have greater isoprene emission rates?
Advisor: Dr. Mark Potosnak
2014_Carter CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Erik Desotelle
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Title: Assessing performance of volunteers to monitor the urban forest
Advisors: Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch & Dr. Lara Roman
2014_Desotelle_CTS_URF_Poster.pdf
Christina Fites
Indiana University - South Bend, South Bend, Indiana
Title: Carbon storage and dynamics of The Morton Arboretum
Advisor: Emma Bialecki
Stuart Hupp
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
Title: Oak seedling survival and growth in relation to canopy structure and understory competition
Advisor: Dr. Robert Fahey
Kathrine Klaus
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Title: Towards a sustainable designer urban soil for trees
Advisors: Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch & Michelle Catania
Brian Maule
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
Title: Effects of urban trees and green infrastructure on water quality and runoff
Advisor: Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch
Felipe Santich
University of California - Davis, Davis, California
Title: Assessing the use of morphological characteristics to predict branch attachment strength
Advisor: Dr. Jason Miesbauer