Senior Jaiden Frantz received the award for best student presentation from the Michigan Entomological Society Research Conference last fall for her research on mayflies. But this fall, she’s heading off to law school.
“I think over time, she realized that pre-med was not for her and she was really interested in pre-law to be a lawyer,” Chair and Professor of Biology David Houghton said. “She wanted to be an environmental lawyer. As her academic adviser, I thought that was an excellent idea because most lawyers, politicians, and anyone from that aspect of humanity knows nothing about science and it shows. It would be really nice to have somebody who actually understands empirical science.”
Alongside serving as Frantz’s mentor and adviser, Houghton also directs the G. H. Gordon Biological Station at Rockwell Lake. It is here where students are able to conduct some of their research and learn in a field setting.
Here’s what Frantz had to say about her research:
What was your research about?
My research is about the critical thermal maximum of two different size classes of Stenonema femoratum, more colloquially known as flat-headed mayflies. I collected them by hand from a stream and put them in a stream-like simulator that was able to slowly increase the temperature by a specific interval to see at what point the water became too hot for them and they needed to release from their substrate (which in this case is a rock).
Why did you specifically choose the mayfly?
I knew I wanted to do field work and I wanted to do it at the biological station, where I had the opportunity to work this summer, which was great. The mayfly is very abundant in that area. I think it was probably more of a necessity than it was a love for this specific method.
How do mayflies affect Michigan climate?
They’re mainly good food sources for other insects and even some fish. They’re also very good thermal indicators. If scientists are seeing less of them in a habitat, that’s a very good indicator that there is something wrong with the ecosystems, temperature or otherwise.
What does this contribute to on a larger scale?
Thermal maximum is a commonly used scientific term. It’s basically a very small drop in a large bucket that looks at the effects of climate change on larger stream systems– what raising water temperatures does and how that affects species in the stream.
Do you think your project will be used for something to preserve wildlife in Michigan?
I don’t think my specific study is going to be “used by the state.” Climate change is a buzzword that a lot of people are looking at. However, I don’t think what I found is something that is groundbreaking. I think it’s a smaller study that’s confirming what’s already been found in other studies – basically that insects do have a cap on what they’re able to tolerate. If waters continue to warm, that’s a reality we will face.
What was it like presenting your work to the Michigan Entomological Society?
I really enjoyed myself. It was me and two other students who worked at the biology station. It was kind of a collaborative effort to work on our own presentation but also help each other. My adviser and mentor, Dr. Houghton, was super helpful. We ran through my presentation a bunch of times, so I felt very prepared. It was a lot of fun to share something that you’ve worked so hard on.
What do you plan on doing after college? Is it related to your research?
I’m actually going to law school. I think I am very fortunate to have a biology background because I think it offers a different way of thinking than maybe traditional majors going to law school. If I’m ever interested in doing something like environmental law, I’ll definitely be set up for success.
