Spotlight: Chanel Young

Chanel Young came to GRU with the intentions of going into the medical field, but upon involving herself in research with animals, she adjusted her path with the hope of one day becoming a Marine Biologist or Ecologist. She is an undergraduate senior Biology student working with Dr. Reichmuth. Chanel has been involved in research concerning the population density of fish in certain areas where she, along with a team of other researchers, actively catch and count fish in specific locations. The research she is more focused on, however, involves marsh periwinkle snails which typically inhabit a type of grass called Spartina. She studies the snails' density, food sources, and movement. Chanel's research is a very hands-on experience that has taken her out into such areas such as Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski, and Honey Island. Her research will be presented in the Spring '13 semester at Phi Kappa Phi, South Eastern Estuarine Research Society, and Georgia Academy of Sciences. Through research, Chanel believes she has gained motivation and focus for what she wants to pursue for a long-term career. For those interested in research, she says, "Just go out there and try. If you don't like it, you can always try something else."