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For Lauren Sigrist, a senior Environmental and Conservation Biology major, with a minor in Environmental Studies, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) supported by the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) gave her the opportunity to spend a second summer exploring how technology is transforming wildlife research. She conducted her project under the mentorship of Greg Smith, PhD, faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State at Stark. 

“The research project I have been working on studies different methods of calculating relative abundance of White-tail deer in an area! It is basically a comparative analysis of ‘old school’ technology that is considered a ‘tried and true’ method of data collection by field biologists, to newer technologies that are being explored in the field. Our main focus is comparing the effectiveness of thermal drone imaging to traditional trail camera traps. It’s an exploration of the benefits and limits that are possible when using thermal drone imaging for a biological survey purpose!” 

Sigrist says this was her second summer working on the project, and she’s learned a lot about both research and herself. “As nerdy as it sounds one of my favorite things I have learned is attention to fine details! When reviewing trail camera images, I have learned to be able to recognize even a slight change from picture to picture. Sometimes those slight changes are where you can find the most interesting animals!” 

The project wasn’t without challenges. “Unfortunately, my mentor and I have faced some theft during the project. On multiple occasions we have had entire trail cameras taken out of the field,” she explained. “A lot of what we focused on over the summer were ways to combat this issue whilst maintaining the scientific integrity of the project.” 

Through these hurdles, support from the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute made a difference. “I think ESDRI’s support benefited my program! Being supported by ESDRI helped me to connect with more people in related environmental fields. I felt more connected to research at Kent State compared to my experience in the past.” Since finishing the SURE program, Sigrist has joined the ESDRI Fellows Program. 

Her work highlights how advancing technology is changing the way researchers understand and monitor wildlife. By testing new approaches while still valuing established methods, Sigrist is contributing to a broader conversation about the future of ecological research.