FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contacts: 
Andrew Keating, Director of Communications, 406.657.1104, media@rocky.edu

Rocky Mountain College to Host 6th Annual YRRC Student Research Forum October 26

BILLINGS — The 6th Annual Yellowstone River Research Center (YRRC) Student Research Forum will be held at Rocky Mountain College on October 26, 2017, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Losekamp Hall’s Taylor Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

“Having the opportunity to conduct research as an undergraduate is rare and I'm extremely grateful that I get to participate,” said Andrhea Massey, who will present her research project at the forum. “The support from the YRRC and the connections I've made have inspired me to go to graduate school and continue my research. When you're in the field, as you gather data and accumulate experience, you begin to find more questions with each answer.”

YRRC / RMC students will present findings from their summer 2017 research projects. Student presentations will be 10 minutes each, followed by a 5-minute question-and-answer session. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Forum Presenters / Research Projects

Gabriel Aponte (RMC Class of 2018), who is studying environmental management and policy, as well as environmental science, will present his project, “Analysis of Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) Population Structures in Five River Systems in Eastern Montana.” His faculty advisor for this research is Kayhan Ostovar.

Kelsey Crona (RMC Class of 2019), who is studying biology, as well as environmental science, will present her project, “Pre-treatment Monitoring for North Hebgen Lake Whitebark Pine Restoration.” Her faculty advisors for this research are Megan Poulette and Luke Ward.

Jade Gjerde (RMC Class of 2019), who is studying environmental science, as well as environmental studies, will present her project, “Lichen Assessment on the Beartooth Plateau, Wyoming.” Her faculty advisor for this research is Megan Poulette.

Andrhea Massey (RMC Class of 2018), who is studying environmental management & policy, as well as environmental science, will present her project, “Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Populations and Movements on Tributaries of the Yellowstone River.” Her faculty advisor for this research is Kayhan Ostovar.

Monika Rock (RMC Class of 20XX), who is studying environmental management & policy will present her project, “A Comparison of Two Remotely Sensed Models of Blister-Rust and Pine Beetle Infestation Disturbances in Whitebark Pine Stands in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.” Her faculty advisor for this research is Luke Ward.

Cameron Woods (RMC Class of 2018), who is studying environmental management & policy will present, “Stakeholder Perspectives on Approaches for Improving Public Access to Yellowstone River Islands.” His faculty advisor for this research is Luke Ward.

The YRRC is a multidisciplinary research institute comprised of geologists, ecologists, wildlife biologists, geographers and social scientists at Rocky Mountain College. The center is positioned in an area that is a microcosm of the northern Rocky Mountain region, where some of the nation’s most pristine environments coincide with ongoing processes of resource extraction, agriculture, industrial activity and increasing human settlement. A unique feature of the YRRC is the strong emphasis placed on involving undergraduate students in research projects to better understand these dynamics. Please visit the center website to learn more about the YRRC and this year’s student projects.

The Environmental Program at RMC offers majors in environmental science (ESC), environmental management & policy (EMP), and environmental studies (EST). Program courses emphasize interdisciplinary studies in the field and laboratory with a broad range of hands-on experiences. Please visit the program website to learn more.

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