I met Dr. Laura May-Collado my first year at UVM. After meeting with her, we planned the courses I could take to learn more about marine ecosystems. With her help I created a minor for marine science. I have taken almost every class Laura teaches and so far, this has been my absolute favorite. Knowing a little about her research and having had some experience in her lab prior to the class I was so excited to create a research project of my own in the soundscapes class. By listening and analyzing underwater recordings obtained through autonomous recorders, I investigated the soundscapes in protected areas and unprotected areas in an effort to determine the success of marine protections in the preservation of biodiversity. With Laura’s help I developed my research and produced a manuscript on over the course of the semester. Though the process was challenging, and I was nervous to do this independently, it was the most satisfying class I have ever taken.
My research into the biodiversity and acoustic levels of Panama and Costa Rica was an interesting topic, I got to listen to so many different acoustic files and an abundance of organisms. I was able to determine that Marine protected areas have higher acoustic levels than unprotected areas. And since this research was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is some of the first of its kind, so the results are intriguing. I hope to continue this research in the fall and hopefully explore something similar in the future.
The experience I had in this class not only let me develop my own research and a manuscript, but I learned so much about writing in science, conducting research, and collaborating with other scientists. This course was the closest experience I’ve ever had to what being in research is like and with Laura’s guidance, it was incredibly satisfying work. I would recommend this class to anyone and everyone interested in research!
My research into the biodiversity and acoustic levels of Panama and Costa Rica was an interesting topic, I got to listen to so many different acoustic files and an abundance of organisms. I was able to determine that Marine protected areas have higher acoustic levels than unprotected areas. And since this research was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is some of the first of its kind, so the results are intriguing. I hope to continue this research in the fall and hopefully explore something similar in the future.
The experience I had in this class not only let me develop my own research and a manuscript, but I learned so much about writing in science, conducting research, and collaborating with other scientists. This course was the closest experience I’ve ever had to what being in research is like and with Laura’s guidance, it was incredibly satisfying work. I would recommend this class to anyone and everyone interested in research!
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