This summer, more than 80 students and faculty kept campus abuzz with the hum of hands-on field and lab research. The Seaver Summer Research Community’s work covered topics in biology, health and human sciences, mechanical engineering, computer science and more disciplines across the college. With such a diversity of research projects to choose from, we spoke to some of the students about their unique summer experience. Today, we spotlight Natalie Hedding ‘27, a biology major working under professor Wendy Binder.
Describe your research in a way that a high school student would understand it.
I will be studying fluctuating asymmetry in coyote skulls using the NextEngine 3D Scanner. 3D Scanners use photogrammetry which takes 2D data (images of the skull at different angles) and turns it into 3D data. The digital scans will then be measured to relate symmetry to overall health with a focus on environmental stresses being a factor.
Why would someone outside your field be interested in your project?
Pollution is something that has been found to have detrimental effects on our Earth, so one should wonder what it is doing to our health. Starting with coyote skulls we can start to get an idea of how environmental stress affects health.
What are some of the lessons students learn while working on research?
Students learn so much about themselves when conducting research. They learn how endless their possibilities are and the importance of hard work. They also learn that the unknown is not scary but exciting.
How does doing research complement coursework?
Participating in research I have learned the significance behind asking questions to test knowledge. Exploring the unknown teaches you when it comes to coursework you can figure out anything as long as you have the drive to. It also has encouraged me to dive deeper into my coursework because this project has taught me how I can apply previous knowledge to real-world scenarios that I can expand on.
What advice would you give to someone on the fence about doing research?
The beauty of discovering new things is something one truly doesn’t know until one experiences it firsthand. Research will show you how endless your possibilities are when you put your mind to anything. It pushes you to ask yourself questions that you have never asked before. You get to see the results of what it is like to dive into the unknown, an opportunity that doesn’t happen every day. Therefore, I can assure you if you do research you will learn not only amazing things about the world but amazing things about yourself.
