Student Research

Leah Bieniak '21 and Rachel Schoenecker '20 conducting research on a field trip during May Term 2019.
Leah Bieniak '21 and Rachel Schoenecker '20 conducting research on a field trip during May Term 2019.

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.