K.Elsenbroek
K.Elsenbroek
Education
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Degree: B.S. Plant Biology
Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) Degree: M.S. Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB)
Research and Experience:
Invasive plant management and monitoring
- REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) participant, Sevilleta LTER (Summer 2011)
I monitored the simulated effect of Piñon tree death in a Piñon/Juniper forest in the Los Piño Mountains in New Mexico. I measured the enzymatic activity of microbes to the mass loss of Piñon trees. I found there to be a shift in the type of microbes active in the soil after the death of piñon trees.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Internship (June 09 – July 09)
- I applied herbicide at varying concentrations (1%, 2% and 5%) to Lonicera maackii (invasive bush honeysuckle with a “mist blower”. A mist blower is commonly used for insecticides while spraying fruit crops and this experiment tested the effectiveness of the technique in a natural areas setting. My experiment determined that a 5% concentration of glyphosate is needed when spraying bush honeysuckle using a mist blower. This technique is useful in that large landscapes with heavy invasion can be treated quickly and effectively.
Outreach
Undergraduate Assistantship in Plant Biology recipient (Fall 2011- Spring 2012)
- After restoring a prairie with grades K-8 at a local elementary school in Carbondale IL, I worked with the teachers of a 1st and 2nd grade class to educate the students about science and restoration ecology. I created a series of eight, hands-on, ecological lessons to increase the students understanding of how humans rely on the natural world. In reflection, students wrote about how decomposers put nutrients into the soil, which are needed by plants as a food source and that humans need plants for air, medicine and food.
Restoration
- Restoration Technician, Nachusa Grasslands (Present)
At the 3,500 acre prairie landscape supported by The Nature Conservancy in North Central Illinois, I worked as a crew member to collect mass amounts of seed for future restorations, aided in prescribed fire and staffed public events.
Graduate Assistant IUB Department of EEB (Fall 2012- Summer 2015)
- Weed establishment and proliferation is a barrier to restoration success. In this project I tested the ability of using turfgrass species as a cover crop to inhibit the growth of weedy species in a prairie restoration plot. Turfgrass is known to have allelopathic properties and may be a useful tool to knockback weedy species thus aiding in the recruitment of natives. I found that turfgrass-treated soil supported less weedy species while trying to recruit native species.
- Microbial diversity- Restoring degraded land using above ground techniques such as seeding, herbicide and prescribed burning are commonly used but not always successful. This project went belowground and looked at the microbial community structure of prairie restorations of varying success and compared them to a remnant microbial community structure. I found that remnant soil had a different belowground community structure than restored soil and may aid in recruiting “hard to establish” prairie species.
Saluki Scholars Research Opportunity Assistantship (Fall 09 – Spring 10)
- The focus of this research project was to provide information to restoration applications in the face of climate change.The tallgrass prairie has adapted to the dry weather of Kansas as well as the wet weather of Illinois by forming ecotypic adaptations across the Midwest. Three ecotypes (from Kansas and Illinois) of were exposed to varying precipitation regimes to determine their ability to survive precipitation regime shifts. Kansas ecotypes were smaller and more photosythetically efficient while Illinois ecotypes were bigger and less photoshythetically efficient. Grown together, the three ecotypes displayed no morphological differences, regardless of precipitation treatment. When restoring prairies in the future, land managers might consider restoration with multiple ecotypes of species so that regardless of precipitation shifts, some plants will continue to thrive.
Lab Assistant Department of Plant Biology (January 09 – 12)
- With the bulk of our research being conducted in Illinois and Kansas, I worked with the Baer lab in Carbondale IL on projects to determine belowground dynamics and aboveground responses to restoration efforts. I sieved soil, did species diversity assessments, collected biomass for productivity analysis, set up long term field sites for monitoring restoration success and collected seed for future projects.
Sustainability
Research Rookies Member (October 08 – May 09)
- Conducting an independent research project, calculating electricity waste on the SIUC campus
SIUC Green Fund grant (2010)
- I worked with a geography and graphic design artist to increase awareness of the safety of tap water and the dangers that bottled water has to human health and the environment. After installing “water hydration stations” on campus, we attended various fairs (i.e. earth day) to hand out free stainless steel refillable water bottles and educated students about tap water through a poster/presentation and asked students to sign the “take back the tap” campaign.
Wildlife work:
Internship with the Department of Natural Resources (Summer 2009)
- I worked with a wildlife biologist to capture and band Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) to track their population in central Illinois. We also captured and banded Canadian geese (Branta Canadensis) to track migration populations and demographic information. Additionally, we captured and recorded information about the sex, size and condition of snapping and spiny soft-shell turtles (Chelydra serpentine, Apalone spinifera) in the Wabash River.
REU Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (Summer 2011)
- In the Chihuahuan desert I aided in kangaroo rat (Dipodomys) research. We were recording populations of kangaroo rats near artificial and natural water reservoirs. Additionally, I worked to inoculate a captive population of endangered Mexican Grey Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) pups to prevent disease upon release into the wild.
Marble Hill Farm (Summer 2015)
- During my time at Marble Hill Farm, I worked with cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and chickens. I assisted with maintaining the farm animals’ health by helping to deliver inoculations to prevent and treat diseases. I also trimmed hooves and fed the animals.
Outreach and Volunteer Management
Moderator: Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference (MEEC) 2015
Girls Inc. Summer Science Program (Summer 2014)
- Program designed to involve young, underprivileged girls in scientific activities and projects
Science Blogger for NPR (National Public Radio) Moment of Science (13-present)
- Recruited science researchers for interview, performed in depth reporting and research and disseminated scientific concepts in an accessible and exciting light to the general public.
Ecology of Place community project: May’s Greenhouse Bloomington IN (2013)
- I worked with managers at a local greenhouse to increase the purchase of native species. After touring the greenhouse my team and made an assessment of the current signage program and developed and implemented a new color coded signage system for customers to better understand the ecological value of planting native versus invasive species in their yard.
Co-Chair: Eco-Lunch Seminar 2014-2015
- My collegue and I developed a seminar series which included inviting and organizing science research talks but also professional development workshops to help graduate students in their career aspirations. I organized and schedule speakers for the department (including out of state guests) and ran meetings weekly.
Committee member for the Sustainability Commission for the city of Carbondale (09-12)
- As a student member on the sustainability council, I worked with members of the community to address sustainability issues of the city. For example, we wrote an ordinance for the city to allow chickens to be raised in residential areas for egg consumption. My job was to research communities, which had already implemented this, to investigate issues and successes other towns had experienced.
President and Co-Founder Science Writers at Indiana University (2013-2014)
- With a journalist colleague, I initiated the formation of this group using information on similar groups from other universities. Our mission is to get scientists excited about writing about their research and connects the importance of their research to the general public.
Girls Inc. Summer Science Program (Summer 2014/2015)
- Program designed to involve young, underprivileged girls in scientific activities and projects. I developed activites to increase the girls understanding of science and their connection to the natural world.
Women in STM (Science, Technology, and Math) Group Leader (Fall 2013)
- Exposes a group of undergraduate women to research opportunities available to them at IU through hands on experiences in their field. I instructed students on how to ask a scientific question and go from idea to implementation.
McNair Scholars Mentor (Summer 2013)
- Advise a group of (5) undergraduate researchers in the McNair Scholars program for their summer research intensive. I gave professional guidance and advice to undergraduate students conducting scientific research and applying to graduate school.
Science Olympiads Coach (Fall 2012-Spring 2013)
- Coach a team of high school students in preparation for state and national level science competitions. I helped students to understand scientific material for state competitions.
Environmental Educator for the McHenry County Conservation District (Summer 2012)
- I developed several games and activities oriented to environmental and natural resources. For example using hula-hoops as territories, children were assigned an animal (deer, wolf etc) and learned about the result of habitat fragmentation when hula-hoops were removed from the game of tag.
Accomplishments/Awards:
- NSF GRFP Honorable Mention (2013, 2014)
- African American Dance Company (IUB): Full company member (2013-present)
- Top 25 Most Distinguished Seniors at SIUC (2012)
- Outstanding Undergraduate in Plant Biology Award SIUC (2010)
- McNair Scholars program member SIUC (10-12)
- Research Rookies Program: Sustainability Research Project SIUC (09-10)
- Southern Illinois Dance Company: Full company member (08-12)
- Outstanding Research Rookie of the Year Award SIUC (2009)
- First place award: Poster competition at Natural Areas Association Conference (September 2009)
- Third place award: Outstanding poster SIUC Undergraduate Research Symposium (2010)
Teaching & Mentorship:
Courses instructed
Associate Instructor:
- Vascular Plants IUB (Spring 2015), Fungi IUB (Fall 2014),
- Summer Flowering Plants IUB (Summer 2014),
- Human Physiology Lab IUB (Spring 2014) and Biology of the Senses IUB (Fall 2013).
- My responsibilities as an instructor ranged from grading papers to leading and teaching my own lab. After learning and reviewing the material myself, I presented the material to my students, worked with them on class projects and met with students outside of class to ensure their understanding of the material. Comments I get from my students include “Easy to approach with questions, funny and welcoming”
Student mentees:
- During my time at IUB I have mentored several undergraduate students in developing their lab, field and research skills so that they have the experience needed to attend graduate school.
Audrey Pangello (Fall 2012-present)
- Major- Human Biology, minor creative writing. Graduating: May 2015.
- University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC) researcher (Summer 2014)
- Audrey is beginning her graduate career at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor; her career aspirations include restoring green spaces in cities for climate change adaptation.
Erin Wilde (Spring 2014-Present)
- Major- Geography. Graduating May 2016.
- Erin will be interning this fall with the Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia Washington. Her career aspirations include becoming an environmental lawyer and to participate in science journalism.
Jake Wycoff (Spring 2014-2015)
- IUB graduate Spring 2014 with a degree in Linguistics.
Grants & Fellowships:
- Floyd Plant and Fungal Biology Fellowship (Summer 2015)
- McNair Graduate Fellowship IUB (2012-2014)
- Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Grant: $2,800
- Roots of diversity: Do soil microbes drive the success of prairie restorations?
- SIUC Green Fund grant: $9,014.00 (2010)
Grant funds project to install water hydration stations on campus
- REACH (Research Enriched Academic Challenge) Award SIUC: $5,000
Undergraduate research award and assistantship
Professional Memberships:
- National Association of Science Writers (2013-present)
- Ecological Society of America (2010-2014)
- Natural Areas Association (2009-2010)
Presentations:
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Hannah M. Crane EcoLunch Biology EcoLunch Talk Spring 2015 “From Micro to Macro: Expanding Science Through Journalism”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek, Kayla I. Miller, Jay T. Lennon and Heather Reynolds Evolution, MEEC 2015 “Roots of diversity: Do soil microbes drive the success of prairie restorations?”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Heather Reynolds Evolution, Ecology and Behavioral Biology Brown Bag Seminar Spring 2015 “Roots of diversity: Do soil microbes drive the success of prairie restorations?”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Heather Reynolds Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Annual Science Meeting 2014 “Roots of diversity: Do soil microbes drive the success of prairie restorations?”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Heather Reynolds Evolution, Ecology and Behavioral Biology Eco-lunch talk Fall 2013 “Roots of diversity: Do soil microbes drive the success of prairie restorations?”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Matthew D. Therrell Department of Geography and Environmental Resources Annual Poster Session 2009 “Campus Energy Audit: An Analysis of Inappropriate Indoor lighting”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Matthew D. Therrell McNair/ILSAMP Summer Research Symposium 2009 “Campus Energy Audit: An Analysis of Inappropriate Indoor lighting”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek, Radonna McKinney, Roger Jansen, Sara G. Baer and Loretta Battaglia. Natural Areas Association Conference 2009 “Evaluation of Mist Blower Application of Glyphosate in the Treatment of Lonicera Spp. in Non-Sensitive Natural Areas”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek, Sara G. Baer and Elizabeth M. Bach. Southern Illinois University Carbondale Undergraduate Research Symposium 2010 “Ecotypic Responses of Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) to Varying Water Regimes”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek, Sara G. Baer and Elizabeth M. Bach Ecological Society of America Conference 2010 “Ecotypic Responses of Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) to Varying Water Regimes”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Sara G. Baer. SIUC Undergraduate Research Symposium 2011 “Effects of Interactive Outdoor Education on Understanding Ecological Principles and Human Connection to Nature in Elementary School Children”
Kimberly F. Elsenbroek and Sara G. Baer. STLAURS Undergraduate Research Symposium 2011 “Effects of Interactive Outdoor Education on Understanding Ecological Principles and Human Connection to Nature in Elementary School Children”
Lectures:
- Guest lecturer IUB: Biology of the Senses Fall 2013 “Synesthisia”
Professional Events:
- Chicago Ideas Week Attendee: SIUC Ambassador (Fall 2011)
Other Skills:
- Lab equipment and skills – Micro-balance, mixer mill, LiCor 6400, PAR meter, compound and stereo microscopes, DNA extraction, C:N analysis.
- Computer –Mothur, Excel, Adobe In Design, Sigma Plot, R, Microsoft: word, Powerpoint, Access, GPS, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, Final Cut.
- Field - Wildlife work, Plant ID, Dichotomous Key Use, Exotic species removal, restoration, herbicide use, trail maintenance
References:
- James Bever, Indiana University, Department of Biology, Associate Professor: 812-855-0771, jbever@indiana.edu
- Kim Compton, McHenry County Conservation District, Education Program Coordinator: 815-678-4532, kcompton@mccdistrict.org
- Whitney Schlegel, Indiana University, Department of Biology, Associate Professor: 812-855-7116, wreilly@indiana.edu
- Sara Baer, Southern Illinois University, Department of Plant Biology, Associate Professor: 618-453-3228, sgbaer@siu.edu