Adam Grasmick presents his Research Work in the 21st Annual McNair Scholars Research Symposium

Adam Grasmick, Botany major, described his research on leaf anatomy and morphology of Tillandsia complanata, a widespread epiphytic species from the Bromeliaceae. Very little is known about leaf structure differences in bromeliads in relation to light exposure, and his research is one of the first studies to address this question.

Bromeliads are ecologically important epiphytic and terrestrial monocots in the New World tropics and subtropics and play an important role in sustaining the biodiversity. These specimens were collected from the Cloud forest in the Napo Province, Ecuador.

Adam’s presentation was one of the twelve talks delivered in the 21st annual McNair Scholars Research Symposium in UW Wyoming Union on Monday, July 29, 2013. McNair Scholars program prepares undergraduate students “to pursue graduate studies by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.”  Dr. Greg Brown (Chair, Botany Department) is serving as Adam’s mentor for this research project.

--- Contributed by Adam Grasmick

Cloud Forest, Ecuador field course

Interested in adventure and would like to explore the wild world. Live in the Cloud Forests (Ecuador) and be part of a team discovering new life forms in the eastern Andes Mountains. This course is taught as a Honors course (HP-4152-01: Cloud Forest Ecology in Ecuador) allows students "to study forest ecology at a high-elevation cloud forest in the Andes Mountains."

Dr. Greg Brown, Professor and Department Head and Dr. Scott Shaw, Professor, UW Renewable Resources, take students every summer to the Cloud forest of Ecuador for exploring and studying plants and animals in these tropical evergreen forests.

Dr. Brown found a remarkably small orchid

More information about this course can be found in 2010 Reflections (UW College of Ag Publication)

Interested to know more about this course?  Contact Dr. Brown