Kraus Fellowship Research

Kraus Fellowships are funded by an endowment from the late John and Alice Kraus to encourage undergraduate research that incorporates the Kraus Nature Preserve by providing funding to support research costs. Kraus Fellowship applications are solicited once each semester, with 5-6 fellowships typically awarded each year. The fellowships provide a $500 stipend plus a modest equipment and supply budget.

The following entries list by academic year OWU students involved, the titles and faculty advisors of past research projects made possible by Kraus fellowships.

2006-2007

Harrison, Jeff . Invasive patterns of garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata: association with large trees in Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Laurel Anderson.

2005-2006

Fredebaugh, Shannon. Study of the factors affecting alterations in food webs in freshwater ecosystems. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing

Peterson, Julie. Effects of rust-fungus infection in sharp-lobed hepatica and black cherry. Faculty advisor: David Johnson

Schroeder, Max. An investigation of the natural processes of feather degradation. Faculty advisor: Edward H. Burtt, Jr.

Schroeder, Lauren. Invertebrate species diversity affected by bentonite spill at Kraus. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Schroeder, Max. An investigation of the effects of the bentonite spill on the bacteria in Wildcat Creek at Kraus. Faculty advisor: Laura Tuhela-Reuning.

Steele, Sarah. Seasonal home range variations in rodents. Faculty advisor: John Gatz.

Weaver, Meghan. Recolonization of Wildcat Creek by invertebrates after a Bentonite spill. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Weaver, Meghan. A survey of plethodontid salamanders at Kraus Preserve. Faculty advisor: John Gatz.

2004-2005

Blyth, Lauren. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgininiamus) as dispersers of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Faculty advisor: Laurel Anderson.

Carrillo, Andrea. Heavy metal accumulation in mushrooms as indicators for fertilization runoff. Faculty advisor: Heather Grunkemeyer.

Costello, Heather. Kraus soil sampling for keratinolytic fungi and the role of feather- degrading fungi in the soil. Faculty adviser: Jann Ichida.

Dontoh, Maame. The effects of the invasive plant garlic mustard on the germination and establishment of oak seedlings. Faculty advisor: David Johnson.

Lawrence, Jessica. What can heavy metals tell us about the Kraus preserve? Faculty adviser: Karen Fryer.

Miller, Erin. The effects of atrazine on pond biodiversity. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Schiavo, Audrey. A population study of Alliaria petiolata in Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Laurel Anderson.

2003-2004

Ali, Yousef. Interactions between predators, zooplankton and phytoplankton in pond ecosystems. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Ali, Yousef. Monitoring water quality at the Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Heather Grunkemeyer.

Purvar, Jahnvi. Monitoring water quality at the Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Heather Grunkemeyer.

Sumner, Matt. A high resolution biostratigraphical study of the Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Keith Mann.

Usmani, Shirin. . Mitochondrial DNA sequencing and karyotype analysis in cryptic species of wood-feeding roaches (Cryptocercus punctulatus). Faculty advisor: Ramon Carreno.

Wambsgans, Cynthia. Conodont biostratigraphy of the Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Keith Mann.

Williamson, Kate. A reptile survey of Kraus preserve. Faculty advisor: Sally Waterhouse.

2002-2003

DeVanna, Kristen. The effects of the insecticide Sevin on pond ecosystem functioning. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Head, Sarah. The parasites of wood roaches. Faculty advisor: Ramon Carreno.

Nixon, Lindsay. The effects of carbaryl on biofilm formation as analyzed with confocal microscopy. Faculty advisor: Laura Tuhela-Reuning.

Rubeck-Schurtz, Nichole. The effects of the insecticide Sevin on pond ecosystem functioning. Faculty advisor: Amy Downing.

Schneider, Amy. Vocalization patterns of red-bellied woodpeckers. Faculty advisor: Edward H. Burtt.

2000-2001

Lefevre, Colleen. Biology of Allaria petiolata (garlic mustard): fall and winter management of an invasive plant species. Faculty advisor: Sally Waterhouse.