Alexis Carlson, of Brooklyn, 'paving the way' as one of Clark University's inaugural LEEP Project Pioneers

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Alexis Carlson is a LEEP Project Pioneer at Clark University

WORCESTER, MA (01/24/2013)(readMedia)-- Alexis (Lexi) L. Carlson, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is one of 46 Clark University students selected to serve as a LEEP Project Pioneer-the first class of students conducting projects under LEEP (Liberal Education and Effective Practice), Clark's model of education that combines a robust liberal arts curriculum with life-changing world and workplace experiences.

The LEEP Pioneers have been working closely with faculty mentors as well as Clark alumni and organizational partners on projects of shared interest or leading-edge research and analysis. The projects, some of which started this summer, and others which will commence during the 2012-2013 academic year, allow the students to creatively address actual problems and apply their knowledge in authentic workplace settings before they graduate. The LEEP Projects span the full breadth of academic studies, from arts/humanities to natural and social sciences.

Carlson worked in a Clark biology lab to complete her research of the National Science Foundation-supported PolyPEET project, which focuses on the taxonomy of a genus of a mushroom-forming fungi called Trametes. She also presented her research as a poster at the annual meeting of the Mycological Society of America this summer. She kept a blog about her research.

"Clark's LEEP Project Pioneers initiative is the inaugural run for an exciting new feature of our undergraduate curriculum. LEEP Projects provide opportunities for students to blend academic learning with professional development," said Colin Polsky, associate dean for undergraduate research and active pedagogy and associate professor of geography. "LEEP Projects not only allow Clark students to dive deep into a topic about which they are passionate, but also require students to learn how to communicate about the topic to multiple and diverse audiences."

Carlson was one of 10 undergraduate students who received funding through the Steinbrecher Fellowship program this spring. She used her Fellowship to support this project. The Steinbrecher Fellowship Program was established in 2006 to encourage and support Clark undergraduates' pursuit of original ideas, creative research, and community service projects.

"I went into the summer thinking that I knew most of what there was to know about my research and was surprised to find out how much I was missing. One of the main themes of my project was how to effectively communicate scientific information," said Carlson. "I had previously thought that using visual aids as well as carefully crafted prose would mostly do this, but what I found was that sometimes all you need to do is be a character. People may not always be able to connect with the science, but they can connect with you. Not being such a scientist when you explain your research can be hard, but it can make all the difference."

Carlson wished she was able to attend more scientific conferences so she could pick up more tips on presenting her research.

"Watching my fellow lab member present their research was an incredibly valuable experience. Everyone had their own unique style and being able to observe all of them really helped me add to my own style," she said.

She did, however, participate in Fall Fest on the Clark campus this past October, and was able to revise the poster she presented in July to further refine and improve upon the way she communicated her research findings to a lay audience.

Carlson is a member of the Class of 2013 at Clark; she majors in biology. Carlson is a 2009 graduate of the Brooklyn Friends School. Her academic accomplishments at Clark have earned her a spot on Clark's Dean's list; she also is the recipient of a leadership scholarship.

Founded in 1887 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Clark University is a small, liberal arts-based research university addressing social and human imperatives on a global scale. Clark's faculty and students work across boundaries to develop solutions to contemporary challenges in the areas of psychology, geography, management, urban education, Holocaust and genocide studies, environmental studies, and international development and social change. The Clark educational experience embodies the University's motto: Challenge convention. Change our world. www.clarku.edu