Published: Sept. 22, 2015

Erin Polka working in the woods.I had always enjoyed biology growing up, but it wasn't until I took marine biology and zoology in high school that I realized it was the field I wanted to pursue for my future. 聽CU's strong science program provided me with the theoretical and educational background that I desired, while its research facilities provided me with the technical training and experience necessary for a biologist. Funding from CU's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and support from Brett Melbourne's lab allowed me to finance my own independent project. I had the opportunity to study the demographic effects that gene flow and environmental change have on the adaptive ability of beetle populations. 聽I now continue to work in Kendi Davies's lab, where I help study the effects of forest fragmentation on invertebrate populations in Australia. I plan on continuing on to the Peace Corps sometime within the next year.