The Graduate Student Speaker Series, which began last semester as a way to showcase the research done by graduate students at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, will expand for the spring semester.

The series has been received better than anticipated, said Lewis Grove, chair of the speakers committee and vice president for the Graduate Student Association. He said interest in attending the events and being a speaker has been high. Last semester, only two presentations were given, but five have been planned for this semester.

Seminars are held Fridays throughout the semester at noon in Room 110 of Moon Library. Refreshments are provided, but students are also invited to bring their own lunch to eat during the presentation.

Chris Standley, who is studying for a master’s degree in forest entomology, opened the spring semester series Friday with a discussion on his research involving an invasive woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in New York.

Standley’s discussion was different from last semester’s events because it had a more narrow, science-specific focus, Grove said. About 35 people attended and then participated in a half-hour conversation afterward, he said.

Grove, who arranges the events, said the idea to hold the forums came up last spring when he realized there were few options for students to present their research and receive input from peers.

Since graduates from each ESF department are featured throughout the series, it is also a way for students to find out more about what is going on in departments outside their own.

‘It’s a benefit to find out what everyone does,’ Grove said.

Grove is looking for a speaker for the next session on Feb. 25. Interested ESF graduate students are welcome to apply by contacting the GSA. Speakers for March 11, March 25 and April 15 have yet to be finalized, but Grove said a few potential speakers have been lined up.

Elizabeth Hunter, who is studying for a master’s degree in conservation biology, will likely speak March 11 about her work with Galapagos giant tortoises. Robyn Oakes, who is seeking a doctorate in environmental chemistry, and Barbara Rodriguez, who is seeking a master’s degree in landscape architecture, might speak on the other two dates, Grove said.

Plans for the speaker series next year have not been set, but Grove said he believes it is something the GSA would like to keep going.

He said: ‘It’s something the GSA will hope to continue.’

dkmcbrid@syr.edu

Published on February 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride