Cheyenne Eisenhut
Presentation topic: Diversity of Canids
I truly believe growing up on a small cattle farm in rural upstate New York sparked my curiosity in the biology of animals. My parents could always find me down at the barn in the pens with the cows and horses, and my babysitter found me in the dirt studying rolly pollies. As a child, my neighbor and I would search for frogs in the pond across the road from our houses. I was fascinated in how you could actually watch the life cycle of a frog. That innate curiosity has led me to becoming an animal science major, and I hope to become an equine veterinarian.
Cassandra Frankel
Presentation topic: “Plant-Insect Relationships: Friends or foe?”
Hello! My name is Cassie Frankel and I’m a senior at Cornell studying entomology and animal sciences. I grew up with a father who loves reptiles (meaning we had a LOT of cool reptiles in our home) and a natural curiosity for the outside world, so much of my free time was spent outdoors looking for cool snakes, toads and bugs to ask my dad about. I was later introduced to the world of horses and continued to learn what I could about creatures big and small, soft and scaly, and for the longest time I considered being a veterinarian. But career plans change, and thanks to the many opportunities I’ve been exposed to here at Cornell I’m considering a much more active career in the field of Entomology.
Joseph Giulian
Presentation topic: Spider Biology
My name is Joe Giulian and I am currently a Junior dual majoring in Entomology and Biological Sciences. I grew up in rural eastern NY, where my passion for biology was energized by the immense wildlife right in my backyard. After assisting several post-Doctoral ecologists with their research on the lesser antillean island of Dominica, I left with an enhanced love for biology and research, as well as a deep admiration of spiders and their ecology. With this and the experiences I’ve had at Cornell, I know that I’d like to continue towards a career in research and teaching.
Jacob Gorneau
Presentation topic: “Fossils: A Time Machine into New York State’s Natural History”
Hello! I am Jacob Gorneau, a junior Entomology major in the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences at Cornell University. For me, nature has always been an inherent source of entertainment, fascination, and inspiration. This passion for nature was refined to all things entomology when, despite exhausting much of the vertebrate diversity in my area, there was always something new to observe in arthropods. It is this same youthful curiosity in nature and science that drives me daily to ask questions about the world we share with our jointed-legged cousins. I have currently been an undergraduate teaching assistant in three entomology courses at Cornell and having the opportunity to open others’ eyes to the world of entomology has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I hope to always have some form of science education and outreach in my career, wherever the winds may take me.
Alison Haigh
Presentation topic: Reptiles and Amphibians
Hello, I’m Alison! I am studying Environmental Science at Cornell, with a focus on conservation biology. I believe that connecting with nature is best done through the things that are equally weird as they are wonderful. On campus, I work in a lab that studies reptiles and amphibians through genetics, and have tons of fun sharing my passion for these cool organisms with the public through the Cornell Herpetological Society. On any given weekend you can find me climbing a tree, catching salamanders in a nearby stream, or hanging out with my pet snake, Bacon.
Casey Hale
Presentation topic: “Pollination Nation: the secret lives of plants and their pollen agents”
My name is Casey Hale and I transferred into the entomology department at Cornell University last year as a junior from Corning Community College. Although I am broadly interested in all insects, I specifically work with honey and bumble bees in Scott McArt’s pollinator health lab. Currently, my main research focus is on the potential fatal effects of the use of both insecticides and fungicides on bumble bees.
Xinci (Jessy) Ling
Presentation topic: “Function and Anatomical Structures of Predator vs. Prey”
Most people call me by my nickname Jessy. I am an animal science major that is heading on a pre-vet track. Over the summer, I have volunteered in Costa Rica alongside my vet mentor, who has inspired my love for teaching and learning. In return, my goal is to spread knowledge and encourage curiosity in the new generation just as my mentor has done for me.
Sarah Marino
Presentation topic: “Plant Superheroes: How Plants Defend Themselves”
I am a plant science major with a concentration in plants and human health and minors in entomology and theatre. I have worked as a garden specialist at a camp, coordinating curriculum and teaching both garden and nature education in the context of overarching themes such as forces in motion and mechanical animals and I have worked at a farm, teaching farm to table, sustainability and nature themes. I have also participated in many outreach events including Insectapalooza and conferences to engage 7th grade girls in science and science careers.
Anita Michalak
Presentation topic: “Adaptations in Winter Wonderland – How Mammals Survive the Cold”
Hi there! My name is Anita and I’m currently a senior majoring in Environmental Science at Cornell. I spent this past year studying polar biology in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and later completed an internship at the Mammal Research Institute in Poland. My goal is to continue down the career paths of wildlife biology, conservation, and genetics; I’m particularly interested in mammals and now have a love for the Arctic, so if I could combine those interests it would be a dream come true!
Arabelle Osicky
Presentation topic: “The Magic of Metamorphosis: How Bugs Grow”
My name is Arabelle and I’m currently a senior entomology major at Cornell University. My primary topic of interest is vertebrate decomposition ecology, especially the biology and roles of Silphid carrion beetles in our ecosystems. Some of my favorite hobbies are drawing, hiking, and collecting animal skulls!
Annika Salzberg
Presentation topic: “Dress to Impress! How do insects defend themselves with their coloration?”
Annika Salzberg is a senior undergraduate student studying entomology! At Cornell, she works in the Poveda lab on pest management in Kenyan maize fields, as well as at the Cornell University Insect Collection as an assistant curator of moths. She’s worked with kids one-on-one as a science tutor as well as with larger groups at many bug-themed outreach events, and she’s excited to bring the world of insects into the classroom!
Andrew Schmalfuss
Presentation topic: Radical Raptors! How they survive and thrive
My name is Andrew Schmalfuss, a 32 year old non-traditional undergraduate at Cornell University. I have been on staff with a humanitarian non-profit for the past 10 years and am passionate about education. I am a licensed falconer and have spent the past 5 years working with several species of raptors (imprinted, rehabbed and wild caught) and am love growing a passion for these animals in others.
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hel Vanicek
Presentation topic: “Forest ecology: Plants Adaptations to Climate”
Hello! My name is Rachel Vanicek. I grew up in Rhode Island, on a farm growing plants for landscapes! I spent most of my childhood outside on beaches, in fields, and in woods. As I looked at the world around me, it only kept giving me more questions than answers. Being outside inspired a love of plants, their wacky ways, and how those adaptations and differences from one another lead to them coexist in different ecological niches. That’s how I ended up at Cornell studying Plant Sciences, and now I get to work outside with plants as a job!