Thompson Rivers University

Mountain bluebird research gets shot of cash

April 18, 2012

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Hey, little bird

Ashley Morrison in the field.

The following information was provided by TRU Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Dr. Matt Reudink

Ashley Morrison (B.Sc.H. student) has received a Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research ($1,000) to continue her research this summer on sexual selection and the evolution of ornamental plumage in mountain bluebirds.

Acceptance rates are only ~20 per cent and she was competing primarily against graduate students.

In addition, Ashley was runner-up for the Society of Canadian Ornithologists Taverner Award. Only two are selected each year and they almost always go to Ph.D. students. Being a runner-up as an undergrad is an impressive feat and she was awarded a free student membership.

Last year she won a British Ecological Society Undergraduate Ecological Project Support Grant (~$2,100).

Ashley was also awarded a CUEF U-REAP award for an extension of this research.

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