Meghan Rector

Project Director, Ohio State University

Meghan Rector is a graduate student in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at Ohio State University. For her undergraduate degree, she attended Alma College, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology, with a minor in Psychology. While at Alma, she worked for three years as a Research Experience Undergraduate on a collaborative National Science Foundation grant between Alma College, Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati. She worked with Dr. Dave Clark, Dr. Andy Roberts, and Dr. George Uetz on sensory ecology, multi-modal communication, and mate choice in a species of wolf spider. During her time at Ohio State, she has been working to obtain her doctoral degree under the direction of Dr. Andy Roberts. The focal point of her research so far has been on aspects of cave ecology and silk biomechanics. In particular, she is examining the effects of environmental stressors (relative humidity, temperature, light, food availability, etc.) on the behaviors and web structure of cave orb-weaving spiders.
 

Andy Roberts

Ohio State University

Dr. Andy Roberts is a behavioral ecologist whose main research interests are in the evolution of animal communication and social behavior. He applies an integrative approach to his research program, incorporating techniques from several disciplines (e.g. environmental measurements, field and laboratory observation and experimentation, digital imaging and video/audio playback, chemical extraction, DNA microsatellites) to address interesting questions about the evolution of animal signals, sexual selection and mate choice, and group formation and social behavior.He has collaborated on a variety of projects and have worked with invertebrate (mainly spiders) and vertebrate organisms in habitats including coastal riparian, flood plain, old growth forest, Mojave desert, and cave and karst ecosystems. At present, much of Dr. Roberts’ research concerns constraints on the evolution of animal signals and signaling behavior.

Andy Allamander

Ohio State University
 

Sarah Parks

Ohio State University
Sarah Parks is completing her Master’s degree in the department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at Ohio State University. She is a 2002 graduate of Hamilton Township High School and graduated with honors with a B.A. in biology at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. While at Ball State, she took a study abroad ecology course in Belize and completed an undergraduate research fellowship and thesis, studying reservoir pollution under the direction of Dr. Jarmila Popovicova. She is now studying under Dr. Peter Curtis and is working on a prairie restoration study examining root traits in various prairie species. She has recently been hired on as a research technician for the U.S. Forest Service in Delaware County, studying American Chestnut. She has been working as Ms. Rector’s “unofficial” lab assistant since October, so has come to know and love these caves almost as much as she does! She is excited to share her love of science and the outdoors with you all this summer!

Jessalynn McCaskey

Ohio State University

Jessalynn McCaskey has studied business at Columbus State and Franklin University and graduated from Hamilton Township High School in 2001. She is a certified First Aid and CPR instructor for the Red Cross and works as a coordinator for Seal of Ohio Girl Scout Council, specializing in summer camp and outdoor education activities. She recently received her orange belt in karate and loves camping, hiking and working in the outdoors. She is very excited to be able to work with this exciting program and continue her new love of caving!

Joshua Benoit

OSU Grad Student

Joshua Benoit is a graduate student in the Department of Entomology at Ohio State University.  The graduated from Fairfield High School in 2001, and it was during this time he became interested in science-related fields, particularly biological aspects.  For his undergraduate degree, he went to Wittenberg University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in biochemistry.  While at Wittenberg, he was fortunate to work with Dr. Jay Yoder and Dr. Horton Hobbs on arthropod biology, with a few projects focused on cave fauna.  During his time at Ohio State, he has been working to obtain a doctorate under the direction of Dr. David Denlinger, a world-renowned insect physiologist.  The focal point of his research while in graduate school has been on the physiology of disease vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, etc.), particularly how these arthropods are able to tolerate dehydration and other types of environmental stress.  Along with this research on arthropod vectors, he has been to Antarctica on two separate occasions to study the only insect species (a small wingless fly) that can tolerate that harsh environment.  He is looking forward to this caving trip, and hopes it will be a great time for everyone.  

Colin

Colin pursues interests in photography and drawing. He particularly enjoys drawing, as it helps him in problem-solving.

Joseph

Joseph enjoys soccer, music and playing the guitar. In school, his favorite subject is literature.

Eric

Eric is a Boy Scout and enjoys working with animals. He hopes to have a career as a musician or as a veterinarian. He looks forward to the Web of Life program opening new avenues of science for him.

Ciara

Ciara’s favorite subject this year was biology. She is particularly interested in studying environmental laws, alternative energies and animal rights issues.

Jessica

Jessica is a lifelong student of Taekwondo, and holds a First Degree Black Belt. She reads extensively, and has enjoyed methematics and (more recently) science classes.

Ronny

Ronny is a second-year student at Metro High School. He is interested in becoming a biomedical engineer, and has a strong interest in science and nature. He’s never been in a cave.

Charles

Charles tries to lead an outdoor, active life. He’s never been in a cave, but is eager for the experience. He wants to see something on this trip he’s never seen before.

Marilyn

Marilyn’s favorite calluses are biology and chemistry. She’s looking forward to the Web of Life program because it extends learning beyond the classroom. She is looking to become a teacher.

Nathan

Nathan’s favorite subjects are engineering and biology. He is actively involved in outdoors sports such as hiking, rock climbing and running

Achal

Achal is a freshman at Metro, who enjoys being challenged by the coursework and programs there. Achal enjoys soccer, football, basketball and chess.

Kristine

Kristine enjoys sports, both as an athlete and as a spectator. She has a particular interest in the health sciences and biology, and hopes to combine her interests in a career as a biologist or in sports medicine.

Bryn

Bryn enjoys literature and science. Bryn enjoys writing, hiking and working at the zoo.

Cassie

Cassie is a sophomore looking to a career in the sciences. She enjoys sports and reading.

Jaime

Jaime’s favorite subject biology. A particular interest of Jamime’s is the way that multiple academic disciplines are actually interconnected in the real world.