Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Faculty

Dylan Fischer, fischerd@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

In this project, the SURF fellow will join a small team conducting continuing monitoring of forest vegetation recovery following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The project primarily focuses on over 800 plots in old-growth silver fir forests northeast of the mountain. Major duties of the fellowship include measuring vegetation diversity and abundance in numerous survey plots, conducting data management activities, streamlining data collection processes, and conducting data analysis and write-up. The student will also be responsible for completing a research project within the scope of the overall objectives of the larger study. In the first half of the summer, the SURF student will be responsible for site recognizance, data organization, data entry from past years, and conducting tree height surveys of newly established conifers on the pumice plain (blast zone) near the mountain. A 45th-anniversary research pulse will also take place in July, and the fellow will be expected to participate in this two- to three-day research event that aggregates researchers from around the world and across disciplines. Intensive measurements will occur between July 15th and August 30th and consist of 2-4 weeks spent in remote locations between Mount St. Helens and the Goat Rocks. Measurement will be divided into 6-10 day "tours" followed by equal breaks. Accommodations will consist of rustic camping conditions in remote locations. Students should have their own transportation to and from the campsites (paved road and graded forest service roads) but can arrange for transportation with faculty if needed. Applicants should have experience working with plant identification at the intermediate level. Detailed training will be provided in the field, so exact knowledge of species at the site is not required. Students should also have experience with community ecology, excel, data entry, and camping in remote conditions. Work may involve conducting detailed measurements in adverse weather conditions with bugs, cold weather, and other unforeseen or uncontrollable scenarios. Students should be prepared for this. Student projects may include a measurement of post-eruption tree growth in the blast zone, a comparison of clear-cuts and old-growth forest recovery after the blast, or other projects directly related to the vegetation recovery of the study sites following the 1980 eruption. Interested applicants should contact faculty Dylan Fischer prior to applying (fischerd@evergreen.edu).

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

Students should have their own transportation to and from the campsites (paved road and graded forest service roads) but can arrange for transportation with faculty if needed. Applicants should have experience working with plant identification at the intermediate level. Detailed training will be provided in the field, so exact knowledge of species at the site is not required. Students should also have experience with community ecology, excel, data entry, and camping in remote conditions. Work may involve conducting detailed measurements in adverse weather conditions with bugs, cold weather, and other unforeseen or uncontrollable scenarios. Students should be prepared for this.

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

Major duties of the fellowship include measuring vegetation diversity and abundance in numerous survey plots, conducting data management activities, streamlining data collection processes, and conducting data analysis and write-up. The student will also be responsible for completing a research project within the scope of the overall objectives of the larger study.

Additional Information

Interested applicants should contact faculty Dylan Fischer prior to applying (fischerd@evergreen.edu). More information and photos of the study sites are available on Evergreen Ecosystem Ecology (E3) Lab - Tephra Disturbance Ecology

Faculty

Alison Styring, styringa@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

The ornithology lab is working to monitor population trends and species richness of breeding birds in the campus forest. Work involves navigating to 44 long-term monitoring stations and taking early morning acoustic recordings; programming, deploying, and retrieving autonomous recording units; and conducting habitat surveys. It also involves computer lab work downloading, analyzing, and archiving recordings, entering data from surveys into spreadsheets/databases and analyzing trends and diversity using inferential statistics. There may also be opportunities to participate in other long-term monitoring efforts regionally.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

Applicants must have completed at least eight credits of college-level biology (General Biology with Lab) and at least four credits of college-level math. Desired qualifications: knowledge of Pacific Northwest forest birds with an ability to identify common species by site and sound, proficiency with field recording, and prior experience or coursework with a focus on data analysis. Interested students should contact Alison Styring (styringa@evergreen.edu) for more information on the projects, qualifications, and expectations. 

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

The successful applicant must commit to conducting field work starting in the early morning (sometimes as early as 4:45 am) to as late as 4 pm on field days. The faculty will work with the student at the beginning of the projects (after which the student will be expected to complete the work independently) and will meet regularly throughout summer. Field work includes hiking in uneven terrain using map, compass, and GPS, identification of bird species by sound and sight, observation of behavior, tracking in roadless areas and maintenance/basic repair of field gear. In addition, students must scan and enter (in excel) all field observations within 24 hours of each field outing. A final research poster focused on one or more of the labs projects is should be completed by the end of the fellowship and should include a comprehensive literature review of the topic, description of field and analytical research methods, a results section clearly presenting quantitative analysis and visual representation of the analysis and a discussion of the broader meaning of the project. Successful completion of coursework in field research, scientific writing, and statistical analysis will be beneficial to the applicant. Students will gain knowledge in standard methodologies (both field and analytical) in field ornithology. 

Additional Information

I expect students to draw from strong organizational and observational skills when undertaking work on these projects. An ability to follow both written and verbal guidance (such taking notes during meetings with the faculty) carefully is extremely important to the success of the projects and to a successful SURF experience. The principles reflected in the Six Expectations of an Evergreen Graduate are an important foundation to these research projects.

Faculty

Lalita Calabria, calabril@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

The overarching goal of this research project is to assess the current range and population status of endangered lichen species in Washington State. The results from this research will aid forest managers in developing conservation action plans for protecting these rare species and the habitats where they occur. undergraduate researcher fellows will engage in one ore more of the following research activities:

1. Compile historic records and complete field inventories for rare lichen species in Washington State
2. Learn the process of inventorying, analyzing, mapping and evaluating the relative rarity of species and habitats where they occur.
3. Collaborate with State and Federal agencies, as well as global conservation organizations to develop conservation action plans and rarity rankings for Washington rare lichens.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

Students must have completed prior coursework in lichenology and botany at an intermediate level. Experience using GIS, excel and research databases is preferred. The research will require orienteering skills and the ability to hike off trail over uneven terrain through dense forest understory. A drivers license and ability to drive up to 4 hours to remote study sites. Strong observation skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

Field work will involve revisiting historic collection sites in Washington for each rare species to verify the status of known populations, determine the extent and abundance of populations, and characterize ecological conditions. Students will gain skills with library and herbarium research as well as identification of rare lichen species. Students will be expected to maintain a field journal with detailed notes on habitat and species. Student fellows will also gain experience with developing conservation assessments for rare species. This will include mapping current patterns of occurrence for each species, delimiting the current threats to populations and to the habitats where they occur, and estimating changes in population size.

Faculty

Dustin Zemel, dustin.zemel@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

This research project explores the spatial and perceptual dimensions of sound through multichannel audio experimentation. Conducted in my assigned studio space in LAB1 at Evergreen State College, the project focuses on how sound can be dynamically parsed and recombined using EQ (frequency) controls, calibrated speaker placement, and audience positioning. 

At the core of this research is the psychoacoustic phenomenon of the Shepard Tone, which creates an illusion of perpetual movement despite its stable frequency structure. Students will manipulate this and other sound sources in real time, developing pre-designed soundscapes that present stable sonic environments. Rather than designing a space that actively responds to audience movement, this project invites audience members to explore the room and discover locations with unique sonic properties that resonate with them. The goal is to investigate how sound environments can encourage personal engagement and perceptual attunement to blended or competing frequencies. 

This project aligns with students interested in sound design, media arts, and experimental installation practices. It is structured as an iterative, practice-based inquiry, with students acting as junior research partners in testing and refining spatialized audio configurations. The research will culminate in an art installation intended for exhibition, with the local venue DECAY expressing interest in showcasing in-progress or final works.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

Successful applicants should have intermediate or advanced skillsets in at least one or two of the following areas: sound design, audio engineering, live playback systems, audio mixing, Max/MSP, Ableton Live, Arduino, video shooting/editing/playback, or sound treatment for installation. While prior experience with spatialized audio is not required, students should have a strong interest in working with immersive sound environments and a willingness to experiment with new tools and techniques.

This project is ideal for students with backgrounds in acoustics, studio art, installation, responsive AV environments, music, or deep listening practices. Fellows should be comfortable working in an iterative, hands-on research process, where real-time experimentation and critical reflection guide project development.

Applicants should be self-motivated, eager to collaborate, and capable of problem-solving in a studio-based research environment. Prior coursework or practical experience in sound design, media arts, or experimental music production is recommended. Familiarity with coding environments (such as Max/MSP or Arduino) is a plus but not required. Most importantly, students should be excited about exploring the perceptual and spatial possibilities of sound in an artistic context.

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

Fellows will play an integral role in the research process, engaging in hands-on experimentation with multichannel audio environments. Their primary responsibilities will include manipulating EQ parameters in real time, configuring and calibrating speaker placement, and testing how different spatial arrangements affect audience perception. Fellows will also assist in recording, editing, and processing audio; integrating hardware and software systems (e.g., Max/MSP, Ableton Live, Arduino); and documenting research findings through written reflections, diagrams, or video recordings.

Through this work, fellows will gain valuable experience in sound spatialization, psychoacoustic phenomena, and immersive media design. They will develop technical skills in audio mixing, live playback, and interactive media tools while deepening their understanding of how sound can shape physical and perceptual space. Additionally, fellows will refine their ability to think critically about installation art, audience interaction, and experimental approaches to sound presentation. Multichannel video may also be incorporated after initial calibrations.

This project fosters an exploratory and collaborative learning environment, giving fellows the opportunity to contribute original ideas and develop their own creative inquiries within the research. By the end of the summer, they will have built a strong foundation in spatial audio experimentation and be prepared to apply these skills in artistic, academic, or professional contexts.

Faculty

Erik Thuesen, thuesene@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

Organisms that live in estuaries experience a wide range of environmental parameters, and these fluctuating conditions of temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, etc. pose physiological challenges that need to be overcome. This project will examine the response of whole animal metabolism to changes in various environmental parameters. Working with one or two specific species commonly encountered in Puget Sound, this project will establish the environmental parameters that the species can tolerate. Appropriate species will be chosen based on mutual interests of the student/faculty and on the availability of specimens. Past research in this lab has focused on crustaceans, cnidarians, ctenophores, nemerteans, polychaetes, chaetognaths and molluscs.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

Students will need to have completed coursework in marine sciences and/or zoology and possess a working knowledge of lab chemistry and microscopy. This project contains both lab and field components, and students should feel comfortable carrying out investigations in both situations. Students will collect animals in southern Puget Sound, maintain them in seawater aquaria, and measure metabolism of target species in the lab. 

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

A short final report describing the results and a poster about the project will be put together by the students. Student(s) involved with this project will benefit through gaining experience in marine fieldwork, learning to identify marine invertebrates, learning to use a sophisticated oxygen fiber optic oxygen sensor, carrying out precise in vivo oxygen measurements, analyzing data, and preparing figures using statistical and graphing software.

Faculty

Lyndsay Rice, Lyndsay.rice@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

The "Adaptive Adornments: Communicating Through Pattern and Form" research project explores the intersections of animal partnering, human ornamentation, and communication. This interdisciplinary work integrates biology and art, establishing connections between natural patterns and human behavior. The project will create wearable pieces that combine digital fabrication with hand-fabricated techniques. These pieces will emphasize themes of attraction, status, and communication, investigating how ornamentation serves as a language in both natural and cultural contexts. The project aims to enrich academic discourse by informing courses that blend science and art, particularly those concentrated on marine biology, patterns, and communication. The research findings and resultant artworks will also be disseminated through potential exhibitions and academic discussions.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

The ideal student fellow should be interested in interdisciplinary research that connects art and science, particularly in pattern, ornamentation, and communication. Experience in metalsmithing, hand fabrication, and mixed-media approaches will also be advantageous. Students at an intermediate or advanced level in Fine Metals and highly motivated beginners with strong interests will also be considered.

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

The student fellow will actively contribute to the fabrication process by engaging in material preparation and fabrication, assisting with laser cutting, and creating and assembling components.

Additional Information

This research is closely tied to interdisciplinary learning and will directly inform upcoming courses integrating marine biology and art. The wearable pieces created will be artworks and teaching tools, illustrating how biological systems influence artistic expression. The project also aligns with ongoing discussions in contemporary art and design regarding the role of pattern, ornamentation, and communication in natural and human-made contexts. This fellowship will provide students with hands-on experience in creative research, bridging the gap between theoretical studies and applied studio work. Their contributions will support the project and enhance their artistic explorations.

Faculty

Shaw Osha, oshas@evergreen.edu 

Project Description

This research project centers on furthering the creation of an artist's book that explores American racial history through multiple artistic mediums, personal narrative, and scholarly research. The work aims to contribute meaningfully to ongoing dialogues about shared history, race, relationships, and subjectivity in America. A student fellow will collaborate directly with faculty to organize and document the creative and research processes, helping to shape this complex body of work into its final form as a published artist's book. This interdisciplinary project combines artistic practice with historical research, taking place primarily in Photoland, the faculty studio and online. The work encompasses various artistic mediums including photography, painting, and text-based pieces, alongside extensive archival research and personal narrative writing. The academic expertise spans visual arts, American history, and critical race studies. The project builds upon contemporary discourse in these fields while offering new perspectives through the intimate format of an artist's book. The work environment will be highly collaborative, with regular meetings to review progress and discuss creative decisions.

Expertise Required of Student Fellow

The student fellow should have strong organizational skills, coursework in art history, studio art and photography, American studies, or related fields, and proficiency with digital image management and InDesign or other layout/publishing software. They should also have college experience in research methodologies, and writing and editing abilities. The student should demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity to issues surrounding race and identity in America, ideally through previous coursework or research experience in these areas. Strong interpersonal skills and interest in a creative, collaborative effort, as well as the ability to work independently and be self-directed are important.

Responsibilities of the Fellow(s) and Knowledge and Expertise to be Gained

The student fellow will gain hands-on experience in artistic development and creative research processes and professional practices of photographing, documenting and preparing images for reproduction. Primary responsibilities include cataloging artworks (some photographing), maintaining digital archives, and creating detailed indexes of writings and research materials. The fellow will assist in organizing visual and textual elements using InDesign or other software, provide critical feedback on narrative structure, and conduct potential publisher research. Through this work, they will develop professional skills in art documentation, assisting in creative processes, and research in publishing processes. They will gain intimate knowledge of how artistic projects are developed and refined while deepening their understanding of contemporary artistic practices addressing social issues.

Additional Information

This art research project is different from other academic research in its embrace of subjectivity and ambiguity and its refusal to try to define absolute conclusions. Student fellows will gain experience in how creative research can contribute to complex social questions by allowing for multiple, often indeterminate perspectives and remaining open to evolving interpretations. Student interns should know this position involves technical organizing and documenting and it requires comfort with iterative processes that are intuitive and associative while considering critical dialogue and the ability to engage thoughtfully with nuanced discussions about the complexities of history, race, identity, and representation.