Fully funded! We did it!
Thank you all for your generous donations! I couldn't have made it without each of you.
As any graduate student will tell you, their dissertation means the world to them, but for me this particular project goes beyond my own research interests and touches on what drives me personally as a scientist. This project is where good science meets a good cause. In my last note I talked about why native bees are so important, both for the pollination services they provide and their inherent beauty . Understanding their importance drives my goals of promoting bee conservation and studying their biology through well-designed science.
Over the last two years, I've enjoyed tramping through central Florida prairie and forest seeking out native bees. I've come to learn about the native bee communities, their plant preferences, and some of their unusual habits (e.x. there is a species of miner bees, Andrenidae, that like to nest in the endangered gopher tortoise nests). I'm ecstatic to build on this work with my now FULLY FUNDED project! The knowledge I've built around these communities will be used interpret and understand the virus results.
The other thing I want to highlight is that I don't do this work alone. I have the privilege of working with 5 very bright and talented undergraduate students. These students have assisted me with fieldwork, bee processing, and taking on new project directions. One student in particular, Veronica Selden, has gone above and beyond, showing leadership in project work and using her artistic skills to help make this fundraiser happen. Working with the next generation of scientists who share my passion for research and the natural world will continue to be one of the best parts of this work.
Finally please message me with your address if you would like some thank you gifts sent your way! You can private message me on this platform or via email at gcobb(at)ufl.edu. Thank you again for your generous contributions to this project! I look forward to sharing updates as the work moves forward.
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