4 August 2006
Maya
Strahl
Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia
Dear NMNH Office of the Director,
I would like to thank you for supporting the 2006 Research Training
Program (RTP) at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This
program has allowed me to participate in research that directly relates
to my interests in ecology and evolutionary relationships within the
plant kingdom. My project involved the tribe Mutisieae, a member of
the sunflower family which contains many species native to flat-topped
mountains in the region of South America known as the Guiana Shield.
I've spent the summer databasing specimens and mapping them on climate
and elevation maps to determine whether their distribution patterns
reflect their evolutionary history. As part of my research I've gained
valuable experience working with a Microsoft Access database and using
the ArcGIS mapping program to map specimens.
One of my favorite things about this Program is the extensive learning
opportunities it offers. Since coming here I have gained an understanding
of how scientists study plant systematics and manage herbarium collections.
Through the many tours and lectures offered by the RTP I've learned
how museum collections are acquired, studied, and displayed; held rocks
that fell from Mars, and learned about stardust research, paleobotany,
and anthropology. I was able to visit botanical gardens and conservatories
in Washington, Barcelona, and New York City, and see all my favorite
animals at the National Zoo. I have also had the privilege of attending
an international conference in Barcelona, Spain where I experienced
a touch of Spanish culture and learned a lot about plant taxonomy and
the Asteraceae family. The many cultural opportunities that are available
here in Washington have contributed to making this the best summer I've
ever had.
I'm a rising senior at a small liberal arts college where non-medically
oriented fields in biology are underappreciated so it was great to live
and work with people who are dedicated to studying natural history.
I've had a great time working on my research project and I know that
if I hadn't participated in the RTP I would not have learned about such
a broad range of scientific disciplines this summer nor had so much
fun while doing so. Again, thank you for contributing to this great
program.
Sincerely,
Maya Strahl
Research Training Program
Class of '06