Jun 2018 - Sep 2019

Lincoln Park Zoo Research Apprenticeship Program​

 

I was a research intern under the endocrinology and epidemiology center at Lincoln Park Zoo. Over the summer, I worked with zoo staff and other interns to analyze the fecal hormone samples of Black-crowned Night-Herons. These birds migrate to the Lincoln Park Zoo during the summer to breed. 

 

Every day, in the morning, we collected samples from the fecal traps set below the nesting sites of Black-crowned Night-Herons. We took these samples to the lab where they are freeze dried and the fecal matter is separated from dirt and plant matter. We performed an enzyme immunoassay, which involves diluting the sample and evaluating the cortisol levels in solution through a spectrophotometer. 
 

We received BCNH fecal samples from the Smithsonian National Zoo and I compared the cortisol concentrations of both populations. From the data, I drew conclusions about the stress factors of BCNH. These findings were presented at the Wild Things conservation conference. I learned about data analysis, endangered species, careful following of lab procedure, and sustainability.

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