Ben Christ
Year in school:
junior
Major degree program/department:
fisheries and wildlife, Spanish
Faculty mentor:
John Faaborg, PhD, biological sciences
How did you get involved with undergraduate research?
I started sending several professors e-mails during second semester my freshman year. Eventually I heard back from a few of them saying that I should come and talk with them in person. After a bit of exploring, I found the project for me.
On what kinds of projects have you worked?
During my freshman year, I did an honors research project for ichthyology and investigated habitat preference in cavefish. My sophomore year I volunteered in an animal communication laboratory and worked with vibrational communication in insects. Currently I am investigating extra-pair paternity in a species of bird called Bell’s Vireo under John Faaborg.
Why is this experience so valuable to you?
Research is something that becomes a lifestyle over time. It teaches you to look at the world in different ways, to not be afraid to form your own conclusion and to investigate solutions to problems in the world around you. My research experiences have taken me across the United States and to different countries. Without a doubt, I will continue conducting research in the future.
What advice would you offer to other students considering undergraduate research?
Be as proactive as possible in your search for a research project. Do not be afraid to talk to your TAs and professors as well as your peers. I found out about all of my previous research experiences through the grapevine, so keep your ears open! Also, while it is frustrating at times, conducting research is incredibly rewarding in the end. Not only will a successful research project be personally satisfying, but you will have contributed something valuable to the scientific community as a whole.
