Environmental Studies student Derek Wright presents sparrow research at national conference

Environmental Studies student Derek Wright '11 is presenting his research at the Student Conference on Conservation Science held at the Natural History Museum in New York City Nov. 3-5, 2010. This conference has an impressive and diverse list of scientists attending and presenting. Wright has worked with Noah Perlut, Ph.D.,assistant professor of environmental studies, and Steve Travis, Ph.D., associate professor of biolgoy, exploring how agricultural processes, particularly hay harvest, affects nestling sex ratios of Savannah Sparrows, a ground-nesting migratory songbird. Wright has conducted molecular analysis of ~1,300 nestlings. His work began in November 2009 and continued as a research project through the College of Arts and Sciences summer research program. Dr. Perlut explained that the researchers will move the work towards publication this winter. In the meantime, wright's poster presentation will hang on the 2nd floor of Decary Hall.