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
Email me: israel.deltoro@lawrence.edu

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.
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.
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.
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!
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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.
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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!
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Hello, my name is Anna White. I am interested in animal conservation and welfare. This summer I am working on the drone project to document biodiversity across land trust properties in Wisconsin. I also hope to compare conservation bioindicators collected by lab mates, with the data collected via drones.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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