Student Research Spotlight - Claire Bailey
Claire Bailey won the Undergraduate Research Poster Award for the College of Sciences and Mathematics during the 2022 Auburn Research: Student Symposium.
Hometown: Tupelo, Mississippi
Degree and major: Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology (Integrative Biology Option)
College: Sciences and Mathematics
Department: Biological Sciences
Class year: Incoming senior
Faculty mentor: Michael Smith
Using High-Quality Photography to Extract Honey Bee Colony Development
What are you researching?
Our research focused on honey bee colony development using a high-quality photography rig. We developed this assay to extract changes in total area, comb shape and comb contents during nest construction from a three-dimensional perspective. This differs from traditional inspection methods which are unable to capture changes in comb shape and comb contents over time.
How could the results benefit individuals, agencies or companies?
Analyzing how the shape of the honey bee colony develops over time allows us to evaluate nest expansion and identify growth patterns within the colony. These measurements can allow us to accurately determine colony health, giving us new metrics to understand and care for such important pollinators. Understanding how honey bee colonies construct their nests may also shed light on the behavioral patterns of eusocial insects.
Tell us why you enjoy research.
I find research to be a unique and rewarding experience which has shaped my own academic and professional goals. I have always had a love for discovery, and research allows me to fuel my curiosity about the natural world. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of field work, the cooperative nature of working in a lab and the ability to design experiments.
What advice would you give to other students considering doing a research project?
A simple motto I try to follow both in my personal life and within research is an excerpt from the poem “Sometimes” by Mary Oliver. She writes, “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
Tell us about any hobbies or activities you enjoy.
I like to spend as much time outdoors as I can, frequently visiting the Davis Arboretum on campus and going on hikes with friends. I also enjoy playing board games as well as video games, especially Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley.
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