PEOPLE
ABOUT ME
I love experiencing spring from a kayak, when the birds are in breeding plumage and performing beautiful dances.
I love being in the classroom or lab, discovering with students how our amazing world works.
Nik Snyder, Ph.D.
recent graduate
Mentoring Style:
Prefer to mentor students one-on-one in lab or hands-on experiences, especially enjoy mentoring freshmen students or people new to the field.
I appreciate new student's enthusiasm and quest for what excites them about science. With a little time and investment, anyone can learn to do science!
Employ pedagogical theory and use a variety of STEM education tools while mentoring. I approach mentoring and teaching as a learning opportunity for us both. I primarily act as a 'guide on the side', there when you need me, a sounding board for new ideas, a cheerleader when you're down on your luck, or a friendly nudge in the right direction. I challenge myself and my students, only asking that we try our best and remember, 'if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.'
Develop my students into independent and critically thinking researchers, who form and test hypotheses, evaluate published literature, and communicate results through writing and conferences.
CURRENT MENTEES
PAST MENTEES
Lacey Dickerman
Undergraduate
LAGU field assistant, managed egg collection and incubation, mentored ND Gov. School students, studied effects of in ovo melatonin injections on embryo development, characterized early embryo microbiome.
Lacey is currently at University of North Dakota working towards a Master's in Science Education.
Megan Schwalbe
Undergraduate
Used course artifacts to investigate the impact of active learning in science general education labs. Mentored ND Gov. School students.
Megan is currently a teacher in Fargo, ND.
Mary
High School ND Governor's School Student
Manipulated yolk melatonin to investigate consequences on embryo development.
Alka
High School ND Governor's School Student
Manipulated yolk melatonin receptor signaling to investigate consequences on embryo development.
Alka is currently at North Dakota State University studying biology.
Esofi
High School ND Governor's School Student
Examined melatonin receptor protein levels to investigate ability of early embryos to detect mom's yolk melatonin prior to embryo's own internal production of melatonin.
Ethan Boertje, M.S.
Undergraduate
Examined seasonal differences in Franklin's Gulls egg shells.
Master's Student
Examined seasonal diffs. in yolk hormones in Franklin's Gulls.
Ethan is currently a Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever.
Amal
High School ND Governor's School Student
Manipulated yolk melatonin and melatonin receptor signaling to investigate consequences on embryo development.
Amal is currently at Arizona State University studying biology.
Sydney Yingling
Undergraduate
Working on molecular sexing of bird samples, exploring environmental factors on egg shell investments, and counted embryo heartbeats treated with melatonin.
Sydney is currently a nurse and applying to PA/PT schools.
