Research in the Isotope Ecology lab
It dates back to September went I first went to the Cincinnati Zoo and saw Lemurs. They became my favourite primate species. I started to look for them and one day found that Dr. Crowley is doing research on Lemurs. I tried contacting her and recalled that I had contacted her before for another project. It was a significant opportunity for a variety of reasons. I worked in Dr. Brooke Crowley’s lab under the department of geology and anthropology. Dr. Crowley’s projects concentrate on isotope ecology. I committed 5 hours per week for the spring semester 2014. The various projects in her lab use isotope to detect ecological differences among modern and extinct communities of mammals, the habitat and dietary differences on the isotopic signatures in modern. I learned techniques essential for isotope ecology and I got to learn about basic logic and science involved in conservation planning of species. I worked on two projects. In one of these projects, we analyzed habitat and dietary differences on the isotopic signatures of modern lemur species living in fragmented habitats. In another, we examined the bone collagen from extinct rodents and lizards from the Canary Islands to reconstruct the dietary niches and habitat preferences for animals in the past.
The prior research experience that I had undertaken gave me an important lesson of life that maybe research is not meant as an option for my future. But I tried it one more time as I wanted to keep myself busy in some productive work. After this experience, I realized how interested I was in this lab as it related to my interests. It made me realize how passionate I was for conservation and how I would like to learn more about this field. This experience helped me in making my understanding about conservation planning better. It helped relate a sample collection of soil to its practical application to conservation planning. Some of the important take always from this experiences are:
· It is really important to have a sustainable planning in labs which would help in saving both money and the environment.
· Communication is the key to deal with any situation.
· Consistency is important to have a constant flow of learning.
The prior research experience that I had undertaken gave me an important lesson of life that maybe research is not meant as an option for my future. But I tried it one more time as I wanted to keep myself busy in some productive work. After this experience, I realized how interested I was in this lab as it related to my interests. It made me realize how passionate I was for conservation and how I would like to learn more about this field. This experience helped me in making my understanding about conservation planning better. It helped relate a sample collection of soil to its practical application to conservation planning. Some of the important take always from this experiences are:
· It is really important to have a sustainable planning in labs which would help in saving both money and the environment.
· Communication is the key to deal with any situation.
· Consistency is important to have a constant flow of learning.