Work-Study Research Assistant Program

Faculty Name: Stephen Trumbo

Faculty Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

General Research Focus: Our lab investigates the behavior and ecology of biparental burying beetles. We are focused at the present on the regulation of brood size and environmental factors, such as population density, that affect the decision of how many offspring to raise.

Brief Position Description: We need help to maintain the beetle colony. This will involve feeding beetles, changing the rearing containers and general lab hygiene. In addition, we need help in altering population density as a factor in brood size regulation, as well as recording results (number and size of offspring). Students will learn about insects (specifically beetles), their care and experimental design.

A "Student Laboratory & Field Analysis Assistant - 203" will assist faculty in research efforts within a laboratory or other research-specific environment. A student in this position will: Maintain the beetle colony. Feed beetles, change their rearing containers, and general lab hygiene. Students will also alter population density for beetles. They also will set up experiments (containers of soil with a resource for breeding), obtain experimental results (number and size of offspring), and take down of experimental setups. Students will also weigh and measure beetles and learn to determine the sex of beetles.