My summer research project explores nonfiction writing and the growing industry of independent self-publishing. I tied my project to a NMU faculty led study abroad with Dr. David Wood and in conjunction with a session at the University of Roehampton, London, to Stratford-upon-Avon and London, England that I went on this June. While I was preparing to study abroad, while traveling abroad, and on my return I wrote about my experiences as a first time traveler to create a narrative for other students considering studying abroad. Over the rest of the summer I am formatting, editing, and compiling my travel narrative. Self-publishing in the publishing industry is growing and experiencing every part of the publishing process from writing the narrative to creating a cover design can help prepare for publishing my own works and working as a publisher.

I am interested in determining if rock-climbing impacts lichen communities. Specifically, species diversity, richness (number of different species), and overall coverage on rock climbing locations around Marquette and throughout the Upper Peninsula. Further than the scientific value, this information will be useful and shared with the climbing community, possibly for conservation outreach. In addition, knowledge of lichen species will convey the uniqueness of these environments, and the impactful role people play on these ecological communities.

I am interested in determining if rock-climbing impacts lichen communities. Specifically, species diversity, richness (number of different species), and overall coverage on rock climbing locations around Marquette and throughout the Upper Peninsula. Further than the scientific value, this information will be useful and shared with the climbing community, possibly for conservation outreach. In addition, knowledge of lichen species will convey the uniqueness of these environments, and the impactful role people play on these ecological communities.

My research focuses on the emerging field in the world of theatre called dramaturgy, which is the practice of historically researching and developing a brand new play while collaborating with designers, directors, actors, and often the playwright themselves. 

My project is called "Antigone 2016," and I'm using the concept of dramaturgy to update the classic Greek play "Antigone" and draw complex political conclusions about its points about women related to the state of women in America under President Trump. I will be producing my work in the 2018 Fringe Festival at the Forest Roberts Theatre, and acting in the role of Antigone. This work represents the addition of dramaturgy to NMU's Theatre program and is helping me to grow within the field to which I would like to apply my degrees.

The research project I have been working on is looking to convert the type of T-cell typically used in adoptive T-cell transfer therapy (CD8+ T-cell) into what is known as a “stem-cell memory” T-cell (TSCM). This project was developed as a collaborative effort between The Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center at Northern Michigan University and the Liau Lab at University of California - Los Angeles. With the support of the Lundin Research Fellowship, I traveled to UCLA and am spending ten weeks working with Dr. Robert Prins Ph.D., Dr. Linda Liau M.D., Ph.D., and NMU alumnus, Horacio Soto M.S. to determine if we can “reprogram” CD8+ T-cells to TSCM cells by treating them with several epigenetic modulating drugs commonly used as chemotherapeutic agents for treating cancer patients.

We are working with the Marquette County Conservation District to monitor vegetation survival and growth in two mitigation wetlands located near Presque Isle Park in Marquette. Our research will contribute to a long-term collaborative project requiring annual monitoring of wetland hydrology and vegetation and control of invasive species for the purpose of establishing forested mitigation wetlands on Presque Isle.