Nora’s thesis focuses on how climate change has affected the migration pattens of nineteen bird species, using “large datasets collected by people who birdwatch to see how the timing of spring arrival and fall departure of several species of threatened birds has changed in the past three decades.” Needless to say, Nora’s topic required extensive research and data analysis skills, which Nora was able to gain through her various experiences at . Because of her volunteer work in faculty labs, plus her “vertebrate zoology and general ecology labs,” Nora entered her thesis project already familiar with the various functions of Microsoft Excel that she would need for her own data analysis. In addition, Nora’s biology courses required her to research scholarly journals and write scientific papers, both of which she has had to do on a larger scale during her thesis work.
These experiences helped prepare Nora for her thesis work, but Nora also adds that the thesis itself equipped her with new skills. Specifically, Nora says, “I am learning the in’s and out’s of working with large datasets, which has proven to be a valuable skill for the graduate school and internship programs I am applying to.” In addition to this familiarity with data analysis, Nora has also learned how to conduct a “robust literature search” on a much broader scale than any of her classes required.
With these professional and personal skills she has gained from her honors thesis, Nora is excited to continue her education in graduate school. She is grateful to her thesis advisor, Dr. Kershner, for his support throughout her work, and she hopes to publish parts of her thesis in the near future.
For more information on the Senior Honors Thesis/Project, please contact Thesis Coordinator Lori Michael.
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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Nora Honkomp at Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica, with ’s study abroad program in January 2020.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Nora, holding a bird in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, during her summer 2020 internship.
PHOTO CAPTION 3: Nora watching birds with a friend at Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica.
PHOTO CAPTION 4: Nora wearing a mask at the Hoover Dam.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312