Research underway at the Snyder Wildlife Refuge & Field School
From bird health and One Health studies to biodiversity mapping, eDNA analysis, and wildlife camera trapping, the refuge supports cutting-edge interdisciplinary research across natural science disciplines.
Camera Research In The Tucson Region (CRITTR)
Dr. Jesse Alston and his team of student naturalists have installed cameras at Snyder as part of a region-wide camera network to better understand wildlife presence, activity, and habitat associations across the region (including urban Tucson).
West Nile Virus Testing
Gracie Ann Fischer, a PhD student advised by Dr. Leigh Combrink, is testing mosquitoes and birds around Tucson for West Nile virus to better understand transmission dynamics and predict future outbreaks in birds and people.
Vegetation Monitoring
Researchers from the Arizona Remote Sensing Center, Cindy Norton and Dr. Wim van Leeuwen, are using hyperspectral LiDAR drones to monitor vegetation health, species distribution, and early signs of drought stress or invasive species encroachment. Data will guide decisions for preserving ecosystem resilience and biodiversity.
Pending Projects
Utilizing Undergraduate Research to Build Career-relevant Skills
In collaboration with the STEM Learning Center and the College of Education, we aim to develop course-based and flexible undergraduate research experiences that utilize the Snyder Field School and are responsive to real-world labor needs. Research will focus on (1) identifying what instructional design elements most effectively strengthen students’ research knowledge, skills, and confidence, and (2) examining how participation in research experiences shapes academic outcomes (e.g., grades, retention).
This work advances evidence-based approaches for integrating research experiences into undergraduate education while preparing students for meaningful participation in STEM fields.
(In-review with the National Science Foundation)
A Professional Development Model for K12 Science Teachers
In collaboration with the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Sociocultural Studies, we will examine the impact of engaging K-12 Arizona teachers in hands-on science experiences on their teaching practices. These experiences will be designed to model authentic scientific inquiry and support teachers in implementing experiential learning aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Research will also focus on how these science experiences shape teachers' confidence in teaching science.
Through this work, we aim to advance knowledge about how experiential learning for teachers can shape teacher proficiency in implementing experiential learning for students.
(In-review with the National Science Foundation)