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 Erin Rees
Why did you choose Trent? Studying at Trent was going to enable me to continue developing my skills as an ecological modeler by learning from highly accomplished researchers in landscape ecology and landscape genetics. I was really excited about the collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources with a variety of wildlife projects. Furthermore, I loved the peacefulness of a smaller campus in the countryside. How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you? What are your passions in life? I love to learn and explore – whether it be in science, or playing new songs on my banjo or guitar, or getting involved in a new outdoor adventure. Living in Peterborough, I have taken advantage of the active running, cycling and cross country skiing communities. I also love that there are so many great rivers nearby, making it easy to get back on the water to white-water paddle. Have you been involved in any clubs, groups, and/or sports at Trent? If so, which ones? Nope – at this point in my life I’ve been spending my extra-curricular time involved in the community of the town where I’m living. Where did you complete your undergrad/other graduate work? B.Sc. Geography, Biology (Honours), Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario; M.Sc. in Geographical Information Science, University of Edinburgh, Scotland Describe your graduate studies research? Which faculty members did you work with? My research involved further developing a computer model to simulate the spread of raccoon rabies across a landscape. We use this model to test factors we hypothesize are affecting the rate of disease spread (e.g. major rivers, landscape geometry of available habitat). This helps are understanding of disease-host ecology which is beneficial for designing effective disease control strategies. I worked with Drs. Bruce Pond and Rick Rosatte (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources scientists in the Wildlife Research and Development Section) and Drs. Brad White, Chris Kyle and Dennis Murray from Trent. What has your time at Trent meant to you? What are some of your favourite memories? What will you take with you from Trent? My Trent experience has given me the opportunity to work with fantastic scientists in a beautiful setting. Trent’s collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources resulted in opportunities for me to go “into” the field and help out with various field projects (e.g. wolf, moose, raccoon rabies control), which was great for me to gain a perspective about the great effort involved to acquire data which I use down-the-line sitting behind my cozy computer. If you love the outdoors and studying wildlife – Trent’s a wonderful place to be! What are your future plans and aspirations? What do you hope to accomplish? I want to continue to grow as a scientist and develop my research in landscape genetics, ecology and infectious disease-host dynamics. I envision myself working at a smaller university, like Trent, because I feel it’s easier to develop stronger working connections with faculty and students without all distractions of big urban spaces. I want to make a difference by helping to protect and converse the natural environment. |
Bradford, Ontario