Erin Polka
I had always enjoyed biology growing up, but it wasn't until I took marine biology and zoology in high school that I realized it was the field I wanted to pursue for my future. CU's strong science program provided me with the theoretical and educational background that I desired, while its research facilities provided me with the technical training and experience necessary for a biologist. Funding from CU's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and support from Brett Melbourne's lab allowed me to finance my own independent project. I had the opportunity to study the demographic effects that gene flow and environmental change have on the adaptive ability of beetle populations. I now continue to work in Kendi Davies's lab, where I help study the effects of forest fragmentation on invertebrate populations in Australia. I plan on continuing on to the Peace Corps sometime within the next year.