Zoe Dickerson

Undergraduate Fellow

What has it been like connecting with people via Zoom?

“It’s definitely different. I think when it’s a smaller group, like the four people in my lab group meetings, it’s much easier to connect. We’ve also had big breakout rooms in colloquium where I’ve been able to get to know people and actually make relationships. It’s weird but also surprisingly going very well. It’s nice that we get to show each other our pets. Rachel’s cats always join our lab meetings.”

Regarding COVID-19 and rising racial tensions, do you think science is dependent on cultural stability?

“Science definitely can’t progress business as usual with everything going on. Because, you know, there are many racial inequalities in the science community.

I’ve seen more of a focus, people being moved to address it. At Tyson, it is really great to see all the articles being posted in the diversity and inclusion thread and all the conversations that are happening. I’m glad that the scientific community isn’t just separating from what’s happening. They aren’t just saying, you know ‘these protests are happening but we’re just doing science.’ There’s a lot more acknowledgement of what’s wrong with the scientific community. It’s important to focus on the inequalities of science, as well as science.”

Do you have anything else to add about this summer?

“I’m really grateful that the internship didn’t get cancelled. Because it is my first internship, I was really worried that it was going to get cancelled and I was going to miss the chance to participate. While my experience is a lot different than I had expected, I’m really grateful that I’m still able to do this, not just because of the experience that it provides but also for just being able to have a job this summer. I’m surprised at how I’m still having such a good time. I know at the beginning of the summer when they announced it would be remote, I was glad to still have a job this summer but was wondering, ‘Is this even going to be fun? Am I still going to be able to make relationships with these people?’ It exceeded my expectations.

I’m still able to form relationships with people, even though we’re all meeting through cameras.”

Zoe worked with Rachel Becknell’s Ecological Restoration team during summer 2020. Learn more about the plans for their research into soil microbial impacts on prairie restoration here.