Sarah Karlinsey and Dr. Richard Gill, Department of Biology

I was able to present my findings in poster-­‐form at the Ecological Society of America conference in Portland, Oregon in August. Dr. Gill and I are now in the process of writing up a paper about our work to be submitted to Tree Physiology or the Canadian Journal of Forest Research.

The best part of my experience was becoming intimately familiar with a specific landscape. I spent three to four days almost every week for over three months up in Ephraim Canyon for the duration of my project and really felt like I had developed an appreciation and rudimentary understanding of the environment by the end of the summer. This was facilitated by Dr. Gill, who, having done several years worth of research on the plateau himself, was able to share his knowledge of the area with me.

My only regret is that we didn’t have more time for sampling. It took several weeks for me to feel completely oriented in the treatment and measurement procedures and processes, and by that time, the growing season for the trees was half over. I’m confident that I will be able to feel more confident and productive as I continue my research next summer.

I definitely gained a love and appreciation of God’s creation in my time spent up on the Wasatch Plateau this summer. For the majority of the time, I was without cell phone, computer, or other man-­‐made distractions, and instead found enjoyment in exploring the myriad beauties that can be discovered in Ephraim Canyon. I now feel like I have a better grasp on both my role as a scientist and as a human being.

I have learned more and gained more fulfillment from working with Dr. Gill for the past two and half years than from any other single aspect of my education. I am profoundly grateful for the influence he has been in my life, for the valuable knowledge I have gained, and for the university and donors that made such opportunities possible.