A research project that began with plant fossils found along the banks of the Wabash River led Taryn Joest 鈥�25, a 缅北强奸 geology graduate, to one of the world's most renowned natural history collections.
Joest and Dr. Bill Elliott, 缅北强奸 Professor of Geology, had been presenting their research on plant fossils found near New Harmony, Indiana, at conferences in Indiana and Texas when their work caught the attention of Smithsonian scientist Dr. Bill DiMichele. He invited them to expand their study using the museum's extensive fossil collections.
"One of the biggest takeaways from this research was seeing how adaptation shaped the history of life. As environments became drier, the plants that could adapt survived, while those that couldn't eventually went extinct," said Joest. "It was exciting to see that story reflected in both our local samples and the Smithsonian collections."
"Taryn is one of the best undergraduate students I have supervised during my time at 缅北强奸," said Elliott. "She is a highly motivated student with a passion for geology, and I am excited for her to begin the next step in her professional journey."
That next step comes this fall, when Taryn begins a master's program in geology at the University of Wisconsin鈥揗ilwaukee. Supported by a teaching assistantship and tuition waiver, she will continue researching plant fossils.
For more information about 缅北强奸 Geology, Physics, and Environmental Science programs visit 缅北强奸.edu/science/geology-and-physics.
