Lauren C. Eckert
Research Experience
I have been an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. James T. Cronin's lab since Fall 2023. In this role, I assist PhD student, Aaron Krivchenia, with his dissertation research while gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and laboratory techniques. In Spring 2025, I conducted an independent project that strengthened my ability to design experiments, manage, and analyze data. I presented my findings at LSU's Discover Day, the university's undergraduate research conference, further developing my communication skills by conveying complex findings. This year, I am presenting at Discover Day again with a new project, demonstrating the effects of pathogen exposure on emigration behavior, infection, and reproduction, which will continue to refine my scientific communication skills. For this project, Aaron invited me to coauthor the manuscript, with my primary contribution in the methods section. To support this process, I created a step-by-step video demonstrating each phase of the experimental process, providing a clear visual framework which enhanced the clarity of my scientific writing.
The Influence of Competitor and Pathogen Density on Emigration Behavior in Congeneric Tribolium Beetles
This poster quickly displays key information about the project to viewers with varying levels of scientific background. I structured the poster to guide viewers through the research question, experimental design, findings, and future implications in a logical and accessible way. I aimed to make the scientific process and results easy to understand while maintaining technical accuracy.
​ABSTRACT:
Species interactions and population density are key ecological factors that can strongly influence animal behavior, shaping both population dynamics and species coexistence. It is likely that these factors may impact emigration behavior, where individuals leave a habitat patch, however, empirical evidence as to how the density of interspecific influence emigration behavior is scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated how varying competitor and pathogen densities influence the emigration behavior of two competing species of flour beetles, Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum in the presence of a pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana.
We test for this experimentally by placing predetermined densities of the three species in a dispersal arena for 24 hours, after which time the proportion of emigrants for each Tribolium species is determined. Previous experiments from our lab suggest that in the absence of competition, increasing fungal pathogen densities decrease the proportion of emigrants for the interior competitor, T. confusum, but had no effect on the emigration of T. castaneum.
Emigration is a critical ecological behavior as it determines how species disperse, locate resources, avoid harsh environmental conditions, and reduce competition with or predation from other species. Understanding how and why species modify their movement in response to interspecific densities provides valuable insight into how ecological communities are structured and maintained.
My research poster that was created for LSU's Discover Day (2025)
Me with my research poster at LSU's Discover Day (2025)
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Methods: Effect of Pathogen Exposure on Emigration Behavior, Infection, and Reproduction
I created this video of myself performing the experimental methods, explaining each step to document procedures, ensure reproducibility, and provide a visual reference to complements the written methods section that I am working on. Through this video, I hope to communicate the rationale behind each step and make the experimental process more accessible and transparent.