Remote Trail Camera Imagery Review and Freshwater Mussel Meta-analysis

We are seeking a highly motivated student to assist with reviewing trail camera imagery collected from three cameras positioned around a dam impoundment in Massachusetts. This work supports a study on predation of stranded freshwater mussels during a dam removal. The student will manually review and classify images flagged by the cameras, which have been deployed for over six months, capturing a photo every 15 minutes and recording movement when detected. In addition, the student will contribute to a global meta-analysis examining the impacts of dams and dam removals on freshwater mussels. Responsibilities include locating scientific and grey literature, reading and extracting relevant data in accordance with standardized study protocols, entering data into a collaborative database, and helping maintain data quality. This effort will be conducted in partnership with a team of five other undergraduate researchers. This position offers flexibility and may be completed remotely, in a hybrid format, or in-person.

Name of research group, project, or lab
The Roy Lab (ECO) - Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Website
https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/allison-roy
Why participate in this opportunity?
  • Develop research skills classifying imagery data sets
  • Contribute to research in freshwater mussel conservation
  • Learn about the impacts of dam/dam removals on freshwater mussels and other biota
  • Flexible remote hours
  • Learn data entry and data management skills
  • Learn organizational skills when reading scientific literature
  • Become more comfortable with scientific jargon
  • Possibility for this position to lead to honors projects
Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Animal Behavior
Animal Science
Biology
Ecology
Environmental Science
Mathematics & Statistics
Natural Resources Conservation
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

Applicants should have precise attention to detail, be comfortable working for multiple hours in a computer setting independently, be self-motivated and have a positive attitude. An academic background in biology or natural sciences is preferred, but not required. Training will be provided for both projects; however, applicants must be able to communicate effectively and ask questions. Please submit a CV and a 1-page letter of intent to Alexa by the end of the opening period to be considered for this position (ahershberger@umass.edu).

Time commitment
1-4 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Research - Independent Study or Research Assistant credit
Research - Volunteer
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned
  • Wildlife image classification (reviewing and categorizing trail camera datasets).
  • Environmental data management (entering, organizing, and maintaining datasets).
  • Scientific literature review (identifying and retrieving relevant studies).
  • Data extraction from peer-reviewed and grey literature into standardized formats.
  • Database management in a collaborative research setting.
  • Conservation research techniques related to ecology.
  • Use of standardized research protocols for reproducible science.
  • Scientific communication skills through working with technical terminology and concepts.
Project start
Fall 2025 Semester
Contact Information:
Mentors
Alexa Hershberger
ahershberger@umass.edu
Graduate Student
Alexa Hershberger
ahershberger@umass.edu
Graduate Student
Name of project director or principal investigator
Allison Roy
Email address of project director or principal investigator
aroy@eco.umass.edu
1 sp. | 1 appl.
Hours
1-4 h/wk
Project categories
Environmental Science (+6)
Animal BehaviorAnimal ScienceBiologyEcologyEnvironmental ScienceMathematics & StatisticsNatural Resources Conservation