Eastern Connecticut State University Student Erin Conn Presents at COPLAC Research Conference

2012 Nov 28

Twenty-one Eastern Connecticut State Universty students and alumni were among more than 140 presenters at the Third Annual Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research Conference, which took place recently on Eastern's campus. The conference was sponsored by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC).

Erin Conn '13 of Moriches, NY, was one of the participating students. With the support of Biology Professor Patricia Szczys, Conn presented "Does Frequency of Extra-pair Copulation Correlate with Frequency of Extra-pair Offspring in the Monogamous Whiskered Tern". Conn's research involved examining the copulation activities of whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida), a socially monogamous species. While the apparent benefit of this behavior for the males is the potential to produce more offspring, Conn and Robert have observed in extra-pair copulations, in which both sexes run the risk of parasite transfer and a decrease of fitness.. Conn's major is Biology.

Eastern President Elsa Núñez greeted the conference participants, telling the young scholars, "I see a sea of explorers all on a quest," adding that undergraduate research benefits both students and faculty, "whether it is because it allows faculty to have research support that they otherwise might not have; whether it is that students provide perspectives and an intellectual context that pushes faculty to strengthen their research; or whether it is that faculty are inspired and motivated by working with young, curious, intelligent minds. At the end of the day, everyone benefits from having faculty work closely with their students on their research and creative activity."

"This conference presents a unique opportunity to share scholarly and creative work with peers and faculty members," said COPLAC Director William Spellman. "Board support for high impact, real world experiences like undergraduate research is part of a larger effort to provide opportunities that are integral to long-term professional success."

Founded in 1988, COPLAC has 25 members. Institutions participating in the conference included Keene State College, The State University of New York at Geneseo, University of Maine-Farmington, Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts, Ramapo College of New Jersey and Eastern.