By Fallon Bourgeois 
Growing up just outside of a National Park in Manitoba instilled in Katrien Kingdon a passion for the outdoors and a curiosity to match it.

This summer, thanks to the Faye Sobey Undergraduate Research Award, the fourth-year biology student was able to combine her love for nature and her interest in wildlife conservation.

“I was very invested in the idea of doing summer research.  When I found out that I received this award, I was ecstatic because it truly was the ultimate experience for me,” says Katrien.

Working with a team of other researchers, Katrien spent the majority of her summer in Wolfville studying a population of tree swallows.  She says it was a great learning opportunity and valuable work that could potentially have a large impact on wildlife.

“If our findings are as we expect, these results could then be applied to conservation efforts on a more global scale to help the recovery and overall protection of other wildlife species.”

Katrien says she quickly learned field work is a very different way of thinking, one that makes you think critically and be ready to adapt when things change quickly. All skills she says will be extremely helpful to her as she continues her education.

“I feel very confident in the skills I’ve gained this summer. Having this research opportunity provided me with real-world learning that I wouldn’t have gained in the classroom,” says Katrien.  “My dream is to combine my passion for wildlife and travel, and become a wildlife biologist. I think my summer research gives me an advantage as I move forward.”

“Not many students have the chance to spend an entire summer doing meaningful work that they love. I feel very fortunate that the Faye Sobey Undergraduate Research Award is available to students at Dalhousie.”