We are continuing our series of videos introducing you to the Temple Ambler Field Station Research Interns as they share insights into their research and their experiences on campus.

Claire Becker, a senior Neuroscience major with a minor in Environmental Studies offered by the College of Liberal Arts, was introduced to studying the environment by her roommate.

"My roommate was an Ecology major and she showed me all the classes and the cool research opportunities she had — that's what led me to my Environmental Studies minor," she said. "I always liked field work and working outside, seeing how the environment is changing close up and being able to do things hands-on; I learn better that way. I knew other students who had been part of the Temple Ambler Field Station, and they got to do some really great projects so I decided to apply as well."

Collaboratively, the Field Station research interns are "working on collecting census data in the Temple Forest Observatory," Becker said.

"We measure the diameters of trees with sensor bands and collect data on the recovery of the forest after the 2021 tornado," she said. "My personal project is seeing how the disturbance effected structural diversity in the forest and how that is affecting granivores and squirrels. It's related to the impact that granivores have on seed dispersal and forest recovery."    

Her experience with the Field Station, Becker said, has greatly helped prepare her for the future.

"It has been a really good resumé builder for me," she said. "I've gotten to learn a wide variety of field techniques. I've also learned how to analyze the data we collect and share it in presentations; just a lot of helpful skills that you can learn from this research.

Students gain advanced training by engaging in hands-on research internships that bring alive the excitement of science through an inquiry-based experience. Student interns work alongside researchers in the field to support ongoing projects and can develop investigations of their own.

Students interested in becoming a Field Station Research Intern, should reach out to the Temple Ambler Field Station at fieldstation@temple.edu with their name, why they are interested in working with the Field Station, current transcripts, and current resume.

Learn more about the Temple Ambler Field Station at https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation.