Obler Research Program Explores Ant Species in the Bahamas

Elmira, NY (06/25/2019) — Obler Research Program Explores Ant Species in the Bahamas

From June 4 - June 19, three Elmira College faculty and six students traveled to the Gerace Research Centre on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas, to conduct research and attend the 3rd Joint Symposium on the geology and natural history of the Bahamas as part of EC's Obler Summer Research Program.

The Obler Summer Research Program provides EC undergraduate students an opportunity to meaningfully participate in faculty research each year. Students participating in this year's program worked with faculty on their research during both Term II and Term III, and continued that work in San Salvador.

Working with Dr. Daniel Kjar, associate professor of biology, was Emily Breheny '20 and Lauren Franklin '20. Together, both students and Dr. Kjar trapped ants using a new pitfall trap designed and printed at EC using a 3D printer. There were 160 pitfall traps deployed across Palmetto habitats on the island that resulted in catching 487 ants from 13 different ant species. For each ant that was caught, the team curated, identified, and data based each one.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Corey Stilts, partnered with Destiny Decker '21 and Tyra Holden '22 to design, program, and build Arduino-based field sensors and data loggers. These sensors were then deployed in the field during trapping and sampling events.

A third student-faculty team was comprised of Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Krista Barzen-Hanson, Mark Brado '22, and Tre'mesha Harrison '22. The task for this team was to work on the detection of polar organic chemicals in water sources across the island.

All students were given the opportunity to present their field research at the symposium.

"Although there were many arduous days of research in the field, many bug bites and late nights in the lab, we found time for ourselves on the island." said Kjar. "We were able to snorkel, explore the beautiful island, and interact with other students and faculty conducting research at the Gerace Research Centre."

In the upcoming year, many of these students will continue working on the datasets that have been accumulated and publish their results.

To view more information and photos from the trip, visit the groups Facebook page.

The Obler Summer Research Program, established by Dr. Ralph and June Obler in memory of Rose and Norman Obler, expands upon a history of student-faculty research at Elmira College, which has typically been conducted during the academic year. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to conduct research during an intensive summer program, closely mentored by faculty. Research programs have included scholarly work in subjects such as psychology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, chemistry, botany, ecology, and mathematics.