Wells College Senior Kassandra Stepniak Receives the SFS Distinguished Student Researcher Award

AURORA , NY (04/14/2011)(readMedia)-- The School for Field Studies (SFS) presented its bi-annual Distinguished Student Researcher Award to Wells College senior Kassandra Stepniak, a biological sciences major from Montrose, Pa., in recognition of exceptional environmental research she conducted while studying abroad during the spring semester of 2010 at The SFS Center for Rainforest Studies in North Queensland, Australia.

Each year, The School for Field Studies honors exceptional students with Distinguished Student Researcher Awards for making important contributions in environmental research. SFS semester students engage in undergraduate research guided by SFS faculty on projects related to the Center's Five Year Research Plan (5YRP). Outcomes of these Directed Research (DR) projects provide information and recommendations to community members and other stakeholders on critical, local environmental issues. Students are nominated by SFS faculty based on their demonstrated sophistication in research design, field work, and reporting; their leadership skills and teamwork; and their contribution to the Center's 5YRP.

SFS President Bonnie Clendenning and Dean Dr. Robin Sears presented the Award this spring with nominations from Stepniak's DR advisor Dr. Timothy Curran, associate professor in forest management at the Center.

Stepniak's's research project, entitled "Does wood density affect the rate of wood decay?", found that wood density as a trait could predict decay rates of certain plant species in a relatively short period of time-a process which usually takes several years to complete. Her research is particularly timely in further understanding the carbon cycle in the midst of global warming.

Dr. Curran says, "Kassandra's project shows how work at a local scale can contribute to solving global issues; hers is the vanguard of a suite of studies which aim to understand patterns of wood decay and hence global carbon cycles."

"At the School for Field Studies, students engage in research projects that serve the local communities and address local environmental issues," says Wells College Professor of Environmental Studies Niamh O' Leary. "Kassie's research was not just for a class, it's is a great contribution to ongoing research activities in the rainforests of Australia."

About The School for Field Studies (www.fieldstudies.org)

The School for Field Studies (SFS), the nation's oldest and largest environmental study abroad program for college undergraduates, combines hands-on environmental studies with scientific research to develop sustainable solutions to critical environmental problems. SFS students work with local communities to discover practical ways to manage their natural resources. In the process, SFS students undergo a transformational experience that helps them advance their careers as skilled professionals and to become globally aware citizens.

About SFS Five Year Research Plan and Directed Research Projects

SFS Centers have developed long-term research plans to help identify, address, and resolve critical environmental problems, providing information to assist local, regional and national agencies in resource management decision-making. The purpose of these research plans is to respond to the resource conservation and management needs of the local community, provide a roadmap for the academic and research components of our field programs, and fulfill SFS research requirements and collaborate with other academic and scientific institutions. Directed Research topics are defined by the 5YRP and build on previous research, addressing an environmental problem relevant to the local community.

About Wells College (www.wells.edu)

Wells College is a nationally recognized private liberal arts college located on the shores of beautiful Cayuga Lake. Founded in 1868 and coeducational since 2005, Wells provides an academically rigorous and relationship-based educational experience strengthened by the College's small size, residential atmosphere, and dedication to experiential learning. The mission of Wells College is to teach students to think critically, reason wisely, and act humanely as they cultivate meaningful lives.

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