Kimberyln Eversman did a Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of North Carolina- Greensboro in the summer of 2018. In this mathematical biology project, Kimber studied the western honey bee and the varroa mite parasite that infects the honey bees.
How did you find out about your research experience, and what was the process for applying?
I found out about this research experience through www.pathwaystoscience.org. This was a great website for letting me specify the topics and requirements I wanted for my REU. It led me to the UNCG website where I was able to apply to their Math Biology REU. This application consisted of getting two letters of recommendations from my professors and also writing them a cover letter.
Can you summarize your project and what your role was?
My project was focused on the western honey bee and the varroa mite which is a parasite that infects the honey bees. One way that honey bees have of protecting themselves is through hygienic behavior. So what we did was through experimental observations determined if there was a division of labor within this behavior. My role, more specifically, was to then build a simulation to determine if a division of labor would lead to high efficiency for the hive.
How did you benefit from this experience?
The main thing this gave me was research experience. I was particularly interested in gaining fieldwork experience and also being able to apply my disciple to real-world biological problems which this allowed me to do. In addition, I got the opportunity to visit graduate schools and gain advice on making myself a better applicant when applying.