石榴直播

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 2, 2023

Van Par is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. She is currently working with professor of biology and chair of the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), Dr. Paula Jackson.

Par is studying the microbiome and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem, which has been endangered for decades.

Q: What is your hometown and high school?

A: I鈥檓 from Tucker, Georgia, but I graduated from Academe of the Oaks in Decatur, Georgia.

Q: What is your major and class year?

A: I鈥檓 a sophomore and right now my major is biology, but I am thinking about changing it to environmental engineering or adding a minor to my current major. 

Q: Can you describe why you chose to attend 石榴直播?

A: I toured a lot of schools and was accepted to most of them, but I felt so comfortable here. It felt more like home than any other, and the food was too good to pass up. Also, in all honesty, they offered me the most money, and I couldn't say no to that.

Q: What motivated you to pursue your specific degree, and what motivated you to considering changing it?

A: I鈥檝e always liked biology and was originally planning to major in nursing when I came to 石榴直播. In my first biology class, we were learning about brine shrimps. We got to look at them under microscopes and it piqued my interest. As I was going to more biology lectures and learning about evolution and the different systems in our bodies, I was just amazed by all of it. When I first came to 石榴直播 I selected nursing as my major and I did it so that I鈥檇 be able to get a decent job after graduating, but I felt so passionate about what I was learning so I changed my major to biology. And I still love biology, but the reason I am considering switching is because I did a research internship this summer where we had seminars every Wednesday with different professors each week who would talk about their ongoing research, and there were a lot who were talking about environmental engineering. It seems like a field where you can study a broader topic than in biology where most biologists focus on specific species, which sounds like something I might enjoy more. And I feel like engineering really has a direct impact on both humans and other living things.

Q: What was the internship?

A: So, I did the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program at Cornell University. It is offered every year and I first learned about it at an event. The project I worked on was 鈥淚nvestigating the effects of fungicide residues on the growth and feeding of Monarch Butterfly larvae.鈥� Basically, through the program you get to work on an independent project with your mentor and your Principal Investigator (PI), so each student is placed in a different lab, and we oversee it for the most part. My program was funded by NSF, so my housing, travel, and meals were free. 

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: I'm applying to be a . One of the mentors last year encouraged us all to apply, and I feel like students are not always aware of the different opportunities that exist. So, I want to make sure they do know about it and tell them about my experiences and how they can get there themselves. 

Q: And who are you working with?

A: I'm working with Dr. Paula Jackson, who is the chair of the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. 

Q: Why do you feel that the research you are working on is important?

A: Well, it's important because a lot of ecosystems are slowly disappearing and dying, like the longleaf pine ecosystem which is becoming endangered because of a lack of controlled burning. The fire helps fight back the other plants around the trees and supplies nutrients for the soil. We are essentially studying the relationship between the microbiome in the ecosystem to see if it can be used to enhance the fire that the forest needs.

Q: What would you say has been your greatest success since coming to college?

A: I feel like I don鈥檛 have one greatest success because I am successful academically and maintain good grades and I am successful in my research, but I think the friends I have made while here that is my greatest success.

Q: Do you have an idea of the career path you're trying to be on?

A: I have several right now. I know I want to be a researcher, and I know I want to do some kind of biological work, but it could be industry or government or even engineering. 

Q: And finally, what would be your advice for students starting out in research?

A: I would say try to go to as many events as possible and do everything you can to be involved, but don鈥檛 compare yourself to anyone else and just learn at your own pace. While research is a great way to strengthen your resume, make sure you actually care about what you鈥檙e studying.