Undergraduate Researcher: Renee Lopez-Smith

For her 2001-02 Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Award, Renee Lopez-Smith, a senior in plant biology, studied the microscopic structure (ultrastructure) of primitive land plants. How does the release of sperm cells by ferns alter cell structure and influence fertilization? To answer that question, Lopez-Smith compared fern sperm cells that had not been released with those that had and were active. Her mentor was Dr. Karen Renzaglia, research professor in plant biology.

Renee's message: "I have learned more from doing research than in any class I've taken. Hands-on learning stays with you much better than learning from lectures and books. Research is slow and frustrating but the rewards and excitement of discovering new scientific information are beyond anything I could have imagined. No matter what I do in life, I will always be able to use the tools of research, especially the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for success."