The annual Summer@Rice Scholars Program held its kick-off meeting on May 18, 2024. Students came together to discuss their summer research plans, and hear remarks from Rice Rivers Center Director Dr. Greg Garman.

Participants in this eight-week session are mentored by VCU's Rice Rivers Center, Center for Environmental Studies, and Department of Biology faculty.

Student researchers include:

Brandi Baker
Research: Avian Monitoring and Research Team
Mentors: Cathy Viverette, Ph.D. (Rice Rivers Center), Lesley Bulluck Ph.D. /Dan Albrecht-Mallinger (Center for Environmental Studies)

Joey Caro
Research: Rice Rivers Center Fish Lab and Shenandoah Harmful Algae Blooms Project
Mentors: David Hopler/ Paul Zimba, Ph.D. (both from Rice Rivers Center)

Nicholas Hanna
Research: Spatial Analysis and Visualization 
Mentors: Cathy Viverette Ph.D. (Rice Rivers Center), Jennifer Ciminelli (Center for Environmental Studies)

Ren Hollins
Research: Spatial Analysis and Visualization 
Mentor: Nina Brundle (Rice Rivers Center)

Sage Lockett
Research: Lycosidae Phenology, Abundance, Diversity and Behavior/Research Station Stewardship 
Mentor: Nina Brundle (Rice Rivers Center)

Juniper Peterson
Research: Avian Monitoring and Research Team
Mentors: Cathy Viverette, Ph.D. (Rice Rivers Center), Lesley Bulluck, Ph.D./Dan Albrecht-Mallinger (Center for Environmental Studies)

AJ Shur
Research: Shenandoah Harmful Algae Blooms Project
Mentors: Paul Zimba Ph.D./Ron Lopez (Rice Rivers Center)

Emily Sharp
Research: Avian Monitoring and Research Team
Mentors: Cathy Viverette, Ph.D. (Rice Rivers Center), Lesley Bulluck Ph.D./Dan Albrecht-Mallinger (Center for Environmental Studies)

Sara Spence
Research: Gough Lab Research/Flux Tower
Mentors: Chris Gough, Ph.D./Lisa Haber (did she hood yet?) (Department of Biology)

Dylan Stephens
Research: Forest and Wetlands Monitoring and Mapping/Research Station Stewardship
Mentor: Ed Crawford, Ph.D. (Rice Rivers Center)