Rachael Kropiewnicki is ‘absolutely terrified of snakes,? but that didn’t stop her from researching them and having her findings displayed last week at the State Capitol Rotunda in Lansing.
Kropiewnicki, a 2002 graduate of Oxford High School and senior at Central Michigan University, was one of about 40 students to exhibit their research projects at CMU’s sixth annual ‘Posters at the Capitol? event.
The event allows CMU students ‘the opportunity to share with state legislators and government officials, as well as parents and friends, the scope and outstanding quality of the research activities in science and technology being done at CMU,? according to David Matty, geology department chairman and coordinator of the event.
Entitled ‘Population Size, Interpopulation Dispersal Rate, Inbreeding and Population Structure in Sistrurus Catenatus Catenatus,? Kropiewnicki’s project centered the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake.
The eastern massasauga is Michigan’s only venomous snake and is only found throughout the Lower Peninsula. There are no poisonous snakes in the Upper Peninsula.
Despite her fear of snakes, Kropiewnicki said she chose to study the eastern massasauga because it’s a ‘very interesting species of snake.?
‘All populations other than those in Michigan are declining and we have no idea why,? she said. ‘The purpose of my project was to investigate different population characteristics (in Michigan) and compare these with populations of massasaugas in Ontario, Canada.?
The project focused on two populations of massasaugas in Michigan, one from the Paw Paw Prairie Preserve, the other from the Ives Road Fen.
Kropiewnicki’s job was to analyze DNA from blood and scale samples, then use the snakes? ‘genotypes? (genetic makeup) for statistical analyses of different population estimates.
Her interest in the field of genetics is one of the reasons why the massasauga research is ‘so fascinating? to her.
‘It combines wildlife conservation biology with genetics,? she said. ‘We can use the genetic data to determine how much dispersal rate occurs between populations, degree of poaching and the overall genetic diversity in a population. Low diversity is associated with high levels of inbreeding, so this estimate is particularly useful to wildlife management programs.?
‘The research has been extremely frustrating at times, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything,? Kropiewnicki said. ‘I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil to present my results last summer. It was a blast!?
At CMU’s Posters at the Capitol event, Kropiewnicki displayed a summary of her research along with a few images of the eastern massasauga on a 5-foot by 3-foot poster.
‘We presenters got to chat with anyone interested in our work,? she said. ‘That’s the fun part.?
Kropiewnicki said she decided to study biology ‘because no other program interested me.?
‘I have loved animals since I was a kid and my family has always had a few cats and dogs,? she said. ‘I am also passionate about conservation of our planet and the many forms of life it supports. Humans are the only species besides a virus or parasite to exploit its crucial resources to the point of destruction. The field of biology allows me to investigate these types of areas.?
Graduating from CMU in May, Kropiewnicki hasn’t yet decided her next move.
‘I want to achieve at minimum my master’s degree in ecology, evolution and animal behavior,? she said. ‘My ultimate goal is to teach these areas at a university level and possibly operate my own research laboratory. I can teach with a master’s degree, but I will most likely have to earn a PhD.?
‘I want to be as positive an influence on other biology students as my advisor has been to me,? said Kropiewnicki, referring to Dr. Bradley J. Swanson. ‘Some parts of this project became extremely complicated and frustrating. Dr. Swason was there every step of the way.?
Kropiewnicki is also appreciative of the ‘great teachers? she had during her days at OHS.
‘The best were my English teachers, Mr. Jeremy Koch and Mrs. Mary (Boyle) Garrard,? she said. ‘Their classes have been invaluable. Anyone who wants to work in the academic aspect of science must have strong writing skills. The foundation of a functional lab is the supervisor’s ability to research and write a successful grant. I have used their lessons more than any other in my research.?
Kropiewnicki admitted a lot of her academic success is owed to her parents, Alan and Lois Kropiewnicki.
‘I owe much to my parents who swore I wouldn’t have to worry about working while in college to pay my way,? she said. ‘I was able to achieve much more than I could have in the past four years with their love and support. They kept me sane during some crazy semesters.?