MEET THE B-Team

Israel Del Toro, Ph.D. Much of my research focuses on the important ecosystem services provided by social insects that often go unappreciated. I use observational studies, experiments, spatial and statistical species distribution models to measure and predict the effects of a changing climate on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. I normally work on ants but bees are my latest challenge!
​Email me: israel.deltoro@lawrence.edu

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​Relena R. Ribbons, Ph.D. I am a Forests for Nature and Society (FONASO) Fellow and received my Ph.D. from Bangor University and the University of Copenhagen. 
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I am broadly interested in community ecology with a focus on
forest nutrient cycling, disturbance dynamics, soil ecology,
and ecosystem structure and function. I explore links between soil microbial communities and insects and plants. To learn more about my research in addition to the BYO-Beez project please head here. 

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​Hi! My name is Erin Szablewski, and I am a Sophomore Geosciences major and Environmental Studies minor. This summer I will be researching Wisconsin’s soils and the microbial communities that live within them. I am excited to research the intersections between our earth, and the creatures that inhabit it! 

I am a rising sophomore from Chicago, planning to double major in environmental studies and geoscience. This is my first true research experience, though I have always been drawn to explore the outdoors in a kind of accidental ecology research. I became interested in bees a few years ago when I started building bee hotels, and am fascinated by the intersections of people and nature, leading me to  environmental justice activism. I am also an avid runner on the cross country and track team, and spend free time playing ukulele, gardening, and backpacking. ​

Hi, my name is Allegra Taylor! I'm from Northern California and I'm studying learning in bumblebees and UV florescence in flowers in the lab. My other research interests are other insects, birds, and bats. ​

Hi! My name is Floréal Crubaugh and I am a senior at Lawrence University. I’m studying biology and English, and my research interests include conservation biology and community ecology. This summer I am sampling plant and soil microbe diversity at our study sites to better understand the factors that influence community composition and structure. I’m a beekeeper and the bee manager for the Sustainable Lawrence University Garden, or SLUG, so I’m excited to be studying native bees as well!

Hello, my name is Cristina Errickson. I am a junior studying Environmental Studies at Lawrence University. My main interest is in ecology, sustainability, and environmental justice. Over the summer I am excited to investigate the relationship between floral diversity and bee diversity. I'll be planting varying amounts of flower species in small plots, and recording bee visitation. Have a great day!

Hi! My name is Matthew Lee and I am a senior at Appleton North High School.  My subject interests are computer science, statistics, and environmental science.  This summer, I am excited to work with a research team to develop a methodology to collect ecologically-relevant information using drone imagery. We plan to use drone imagery to collect and evaluate habitat types and quality of the sites in the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust.

Hi! I’m Heidi Kroth and I’m a senior at Lawrence University. I’m studying studio art, German, and pre-med, but my research interests include conservation and land management to improve bee habitats. I became a part of the Appleton Pollinator Project after taking a class with Israel. His offer of extra credit lured me into volunteering with HIVE installation, and I’ve been hooked on bees ever since!

Bees who have flown the hive (Beelumni)

Hi! I'm Emily Stanislawski and I am a recent Lawrence Biology grad who mostly has been involved with the community outreach aspect of the project. However, recently, I have transitioned into more of a lab manager role and am helping ensure all our projects are running smoothly. My major research interests lie in entomology, science education, and science communication. 

My name is Cady Greenslit and I am a recent Lawrence grad. My research interests are behavior as well as molecular ecology. In the past, I have used molecular techniques and DNA to understand more about my favorite native bees, bumble bees! I also served as one of the lab managers role. I help ensure all our projects are running smoothly.

Hi! My name's Jessica Robyns and I'm a senior at Lawrence. I double majored in biology and environmental studies. I became involved in the project in the summer of 2018 when I got the opportunity to study ground-nesting bees at Bjorklunden, Lawrence's second campus in Door County. I spent the summer learning about the bees of Bjork.

My name is Emily Hill  and I'm a biology and Spanish major from DeForest, WI.  I am interested in studying urban ecology and conservation biology. In 2017, I became involved with the Appleton Pollinator Project.  In addition to studying bee diversity, I measured floral diversity of our study sites.   

​Hi! My name is Maggie Anderson and I'm a double-majoring in biology and music. I first became interested in bees when I started beekeeping on my farm in high school and I have since made it my goal to educate others about the current pollinator crisis and what they can do to help. I am involved in the Appleton Pollinator Project because it is exactly that: a way to help pollinators in urban environments by understanding their habitat needs. The project also speaks to the type of research that I hope to do in the future, as my current interests include spatial ecology, conservation biology, and entomology. ​

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