Laboratory Members
John in the lab
John Soghigian, Undergraduate '09
I arrived at Clark as a transfer student, so I had only a few short semesters to find my place in the Clark community and gain a foothold in research. As a beginning undergraduate, I had a great interest in research, conservation and biology. I was not satisfied with my options at my previous institution, and transferred to Clark because I felt the opportunities here were likely to fit my interests- and because research seemed to be a focus of the curriculum in the sciences. After taking a class with Dr. John Baker my first semester here, I knew I had made the right choice. By the end of my first year, I was already making research plans.
My Research: My primary goals for my time at Clark are to enhance my knowledge of biology and field research while I prepare for work in regulatory policy in the future. My current research focus is to examine macroinvertebrate distributions in Massachusetts streams and their use as water quality indicators. This does make me one of the few students here in the Foster/Baker lab not working on stickleback. Macroinvertebrates sampling is one of the most commonly used forms of biomonitoring. After all, the insects never leave the stream, and must experience the best and worst that stream has to over, whereas water sampling and chemical testing gives only a glimpse into the water at the time of the sample.
So far, my research has led me to multiple samplings of the Swift River, part of the Connecticut River watershed. The Swift River is believed to be a largely pristine area, which would give us a good reference point for examining macroinvertebrate distributions in an area of good water quality. Though I am still an undergraduate, I plan to carry this research on through the 5th year Master’s Program.
Outside the lab: : I enjoy canoeing and camping, having been a frequent visitor to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area west of Lake Superior. On campus, I am part of the University Film Society and I attend various outings put on by student groups to the wilderness areas in central Massachusetts.
Send John an email at jsoghigian@clarku.edu