Speaker encourages students to explore close to home

By Shelby Ruud

Students should be excited to explore wherever they are, according to a research fellow at Utah State University.

“If there was a place like nothing else in the world right in your backyard, would you explore it?” Maureen Frank asked a room filled with students and professors in the USU library on Friday.

Frank, who spoke as a part of a fast-paced speaking event called Ignite USU, discussed her research involving the ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake.

Frank originally wanted to focus her research efforts on exploring and conserving the Amazon rainforest. A trip to Honduras changed her mind, and she decided to conduct research closer to home.

“I realized the Great Salt Lake is like its own Amazon. It’s full of diverse life, it’s virtually unexplored and it needs saving,” she said.

Frank told the audience that small efforts to conserve water, such as watering your lawn in the morning instead of at noon, make a big difference to water sources such as the Great Salt Lake, which is nearing record-low levels of water. This affects the animals that depend on the lake and increases the likelihood of dust storms.

“If you like to breathe, then this is worth caring about,” she said.

Frank and the seven other presenters shared their messages in five-minute presentations with slides advancing every fifteen seconds.

“With the limited time frame, they’ll talk about their research, but, really, they’ll talk about the motivation behind their research,” said Mark McLellan, vice president for research and dean of

the School of Graduate Studies.

Heidi DeSandre, a USU student focusing on research psychology, attended the event.

“I really enjoyed the talks,” she said. “It’s interesting how your research can be your own ideas and interests.”

Frank said she has enjoyed exploring close to home and encouraged students to do the same.

“Wherever home is to you, I’m betting there are cool things you haven’t discovered yet,” she said.