Adler lab; Pollination Ecology
Looking for assistance with a project measuring the composition of pollen grains collected by multiple pollinator species across multiple pollinator habitats.
Project Summary:
The overall project is built off of some really cool laboratory studies that showed a reduction of a gut pathogen, Crithidia, in bumble bees that were fed Asteraceae pollen diets. My project extended these laboratory studies to see if we find similar results in real pollinator habitat, as in if a pollinator habitat has higher Asteraceae plant species richness and abundance, is there less Crithidia prevalence in the pollinator community? Last summer we surveyed 22 pollinator habitats and measured plant community traits, collected specimens from 7 pollinator species to measure Crithidia pathogen load. However, to show that the pollinators we collected were foraging for Asteraceae pollen grains (and potentially getting the medicinal effect from these pollen grains), we want to looking at the pollen composition our specimens were actively collecting.
Position Description:
This position would be for credit only (up to 3 credits, 9 hours/week), unless the individual has work-study available. The student will help with a mix of creating pollen slides and counting pollen grains on the slides. Making pollen slides is done in a fume hood by dabbing the hind legs of the pollinators (the species we chose collect pollen grains in corbicula or scopa on their hind legs) onto dyed gelatin and melting the gelatin onto a microscope slide. Counting pollen grains involves using a microscope to identify pollen exine (outer membrane) structure into categories based on the presence of spikes and their length, which students will be trained for. Both of these tasks involve using the physical lab space, so there is no option for remote work. It also means that ideally an undergrad would have blocks of time that are at least 2 hours due to the time it takes to set up and clean up. You will be a part of a team of undergrads working on the same project and switching between these tasks.
The lab values students who are excellent communicators, detail-oriented, proactive, responsible, and who contribute to a positive work environment that supports everyone.
To apply, please provide the following information:
(1) A cover letter indicating your name, pronouns (optional), email, major, year, GPA, if you are eligible for work study funding, your spring semester work availability, reason for your interest in the position, any relevant experience, and how this position relates to your career goals
(2) Names/contact information for 2-3 references.
This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience doing laboratory analysis of plant-pollinator systems. Adler lab mentors a large number of undergraduates who often stay and progress to conducting their own research as honors/senior theses. Many students have successfully continued to graduate school, medical school, vet school, research positions in industry and non-profits, and science communication.
There is a possibility, but no guarantee for students to continue in the lab during the summer or subsequent semesters depending on the opportunities we have. However, we prioritize current students (who have performed well) for these roles. Note that during the academic year, the positions are generally unpaid (for credit) unless the student has a work study award however summer work may be paid.