St. Norbert College's Sarah Gray participates in Harvard Forest summer research program

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From St. Norbert College, June 24, 2010
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, (920) 403-3089

Sarah Gray, a senior chemistry major at St. Norbert College, was accepted to Harvard University's undergraduate summer research program for ecology at Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass.

During the 12-week program, Gray is a part of a 34-student cohort and is studying species of hardwood trees and their response to soil warming and increased nitrogen levels due to global climate change. Her research indicates that trees with more nitrate reductase have a better competitive advantage in the forest.

After completing the program, Gray will present her results at Harvard Forest's annual student research symposium. All research students have the opportunity to continue working with their mentor to publish their research in scientific papers, honors theses and conference abstracts. This summer, Gray will be collecting research both in the field and in the lab. She hopes her experience will help her choose a career after St. Norbert as an environmental chemist or ecologist.

Harvard Forest has been Harvard University's outdoor lab and classroom since 1907. It is one of 26 long-term ecological research sites in the United States focusing on environmental change and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The summer research program at Harvard Forest is a competitive academic curriculum and has served undergraduates for almost 20 years.

Gray is a native of Whitelaw, Wis.