Anoka-Ramsey Biology students co-author amphibian undergraduate research

January 19, 2017

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Biology instructor, Dr. Kristen Genet provided students in her Principles of Biology course the opportunity to co-author a paper in a scholarly journal resulting from a national collaborative undergraduate research project.

The publication, “Effects of roads and land use on frog distributions across spatial scales and regions in the Eastern and Central United States,” investigated how land use impacts amphibians in the United States. This study built on a previous publication from 2014, and contributed to the understanding of how roads negatively affect amphibians close to wetland breeding sites.  Additionally, the results showed that relationships of between amphibian diversity and specific land uses (such as agriculture or forest) varied among regions in the USA.

Genet explains that the students, “played a role in increasing the understanding of how landscape characteristics and changes contribute to the community dynamics of amphibians.”

Students in Genet’s Principles of Biology II course all contributed data to the study, but two representatives were chosen to attend the data workshop at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, CA.  These two student authors worked with faculty and student representatives from the other nine colleges and universities that participated in the study to compile data, check data for accuracy, analyze the data and interpret the data, and provide comments on the manuscript through the submission and review process.  

For nearly a decade, the Anoka-Ramsey Biology Department has incorporated undergraduate research into its curriculum.

Genet firmly believes undergraduate research is a way to train students in science by actively being a part of the scientific research process, rather than learning about scientific concepts more passively. 

“It’s an active, engaging way to learn scientific concepts, and at the same time, students are able to contribute and be a part of the growing and evolving community of science and knowledge,” says Genet.

 

To view the published research visit: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.12516/full

 

For more information about the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Biology Department’s Undergraduate Research, visit http://www.anokaramsey.edu/academics/academic-initiatives/undergraduate-research/biology/

 

ABOUT ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, is a member of the Minnesota State system and has been a leading provider of higher education and training in East Central Minnesota since 1978 and the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul since 1965. Annually, the college serves more than 12,500 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is aligned with Anoka Technical College and together the institutions serve more than 16,000 learners–the largest community and technical college entity in Minnesota. An affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.