Major
Biology, Sociology
Class Standing
Senior
Course Number and Title
BIOL 4993
Faculty Member's Name
Mark Jordan
Research Project
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.”
Reflective statement
Click below to download Reflective Statement.
Reflective statement
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.”