Major

Biology, Sociology

Class Standing

Senior

Course Number and Title

BIOL 4993

Faculty Member's Name

Mark Jordan

Project Description

Nicolás’s project began with realizing that Ecology and Indigenous/Settler Colonial Studies used the same language but not the same frameworks to discuss concepts of invasion ecology and human colonization. His project aimed to synthesize his majors in Biology and Sociology and to cross-pollinate their methodologies and frameworks. His persistent and varied research, deep engagement with sources, and consultation with faculty and peers resulted in thoughtful and original research. Mark Jordan, the faculty overseeing this Senior Synthesis project wrote, “He took on a challenging topic that merged his two majors (biology and sociology) into an interdisciplinary work of his own creation that was motivated by a clear social conscience. I was particularly impressed with his ability to view fundamental scientific approaches in the lens of a critical theoretical framework from the social sciences. This paper is one of the best-written I have read in over a decade of teaching undergraduates.”

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    Co-Colonizing: The Ecological Impacts of Settler Colonialism in the American Supercontinent

    Nicolás’s project began with realizing that Ecology and Indigenous/Settler Colonial Studies used the same language but not the same frameworks to discuss concepts of invasion ecology and human colonization. His project aimed to synthesize his majors in Biology and Sociology and to cross-pollinate their methodologies and frameworks. His persistent and varied research, deep engagement with sources, and consultation with faculty and peers resulted in thoughtful and original research. Mark Jordan, the faculty overseeing this Senior Synthesis project wrote, “He took on a challenging topic that merged his two majors (biology and sociology) into an interdisciplinary work of his own creation that was motivated by a clear social conscience. I was particularly impressed with his ability to view fundamental scientific approaches in the lens of a critical theoretical framework from the social sciences. This paper is one of the best-written I have read in over a decade of teaching undergraduates.”