A vision for biology at Clark

Susan Foster joined the Clark faculty in 1995. Her research includes both field study in Alaska and Canada, and laboratory rearing and behavioral studies that contribute to our understanding of the evolution of the threespine stickleback, a type of fish. In her role as department chair, Foster is spearheading new curriculum development, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Keck Foundation-alumni participation in the annual fund is one of the factors foundations consider when making grants. Foster is also committed to ensuring that biology undergraduates have opportunities to conduct research to enhance their scientific careers. Here she discusses some of her plans for growing those research opportunities and the resources needed to make those plans a reality. Learn more about Professor Foster's research

I think one of the things that could really make a difference for the Biology Department would be gifts to help us establish a summer institute for our research students. Last summer we had about 20 students doing research in our research laboratories collectively. Their help was invaluable, and I think they learned a tremendous amount. But it is a very big challenge for them to make ends meet financially. Many are not paid and are doing the research anyway simply because it interests them. Ultimately, this would bring all our summer science students together, both undergraduates and fifth-year master's students for both academic exchange and socializing over the summer.

Another area in which we are in great need of resources is support for student field research. Many of my colleagues and I conduct various kinds of field research. For example, students who work with me in Alaska learn to connect what they've learned in their laboratory experience with the real environment of the organisms they are studying. Most years we take four or five undergraduates to Alaska, but there are always more students interested that we can support. It costs about $1,000 per student between the air and lodging expenses. Having the resources to support student involvement in this kind of research, not just in Clark laboratories but also in the field, is invaluable.

Finally, more department resources would enable us to invite more seminar speakers from longer distances. We like to work with our undergraduates to bring in speakers who are the most relevant to them. If we had additional resources, our students could choose the speakers who most interest them, regardless of distance, make the invitations and meet with the speakers when they come to campus. Like coursework, laboratory work and field work, hearing from real scientists is a very important component of developing our students' scientific careers.

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