Student Research

Summer Research Spotlight
Environmental studies major Leah Bieniak ’21 and Biology major Rachel Schoenecker ’20 were awarded multiple grants for their summer research project: “Determining Species Abundance and Habitat Preferences of Breeding Birds in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.”
The research duo co-authored proposals for a $1,000 grant from the Illinois Ornithological Society and a $500 grant from The Ames Library . Individually, Bieniak and Schoenecker received research funding from the Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Scholars and Artists Program and The Criley Endowment Fund , respectively.
"I have always been a bit of a ‘bird nerd,’ and I am very interested in how humans can protect biodiversity,” Bieniak said. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in research that will help us understand how human developments can harm or support breeding bird species." Read more about their story.