What is the project your team works on?

One of the PIs (principal investigators) is studying how temperature is affecting mosquitoes in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Urban environments often create heat islands and are generally warmer than rural areas. The other PI is working on sound and how it affects mosquito-mating. A lot of times mosquitoes identify a mate through wingbeat frequencies. So, we wonder, ‘If there's a lot of sound pollution, how do [mosquitoes] recognize each other and how do they exhibit that behavior?’

How does science at Tyson stand out to you?

It's really student-focused. I am doing my own research, coming up with a research question and starting to think about experimental design. It's really a good mix between working with our PIs on a set project and then coming up with our own independent questions. Also, working with the Science Communication team and the Education team, emphasizes that science does not exist in a vacuum. Science can affect everyone and should involve everyone. Tyson strives to create an equitable environment and to examine issues that prevent equity in science.