Trinity Atkins
Graduate Student
My research is looking at the effects of habitat fragmentation on plant-pollinator networks in tallgrass prairies, using the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid as a model system. I am using eDNA metabarcoding to identify the orchid's network, to look at the effects of isolation and connectivity of prairie patches on arthropod presence and visitation to the orchid, and to look at the effect of the orchid on the pollinator networks of co-occurring plants.
Email: trinity.atkins@ndsu.edu
Korie DeBardlabon
Graduate Student
My research focus is conservation of monarch butterflies. My goal is to understand cryopreservation and activation of spermatozoa in monarchs. Spermatozoa activation is essential for successful fertilization because activated spermatozoa become motile and move through the female’s reproductive system. It is unknown what activates monarch spermatozoa. It is also unknown how cryopreservation affects spermatozoa activation.
Email: korie.debardlabon@usda.gov
Josie Pickar
Graduate Student
My research focuses on looking at potential constraints on the reproductive success of the charismatic megaflora, the threatened western prairie fringed orchid, Platanthera praeclara. I'm interested in studying what influences pollination services to this species and other factors that may influence fruit production in this plant.
Email: Josephine.pickar@ndsu.edu