Lorena Endara, PhD
Workflow Manager
This has been an incredible opportunity to learn about bryophytes and lichens and to apply what I have learnt about collection and project management. Most importantly, I feel really lucky to have met an incredible group of fun and smart undergraduate students that formed a cohesive and efficient group that made me happy to come to work.
Students and Volunteers
We have been very lucky to have the most amazing and hard-working students and volunteers. In this project we employed students in the Federal Work Studies Program, most of the were freshmen. Check who they are and what have they learned during this time. We are happy to report that we have been able to employ our students for a second year, most of them are back and editing.
Jenny Barber
Hours in the project: 205.25 hrs
Major: Elementary Education
Throughout my experience within the University of Florida Herbarium, I have learned that collaboration and patience is central to the successful completion of one’s myriad duties as a functional unit of a cohesive whole, a concept extremely relevant to the likes of an aspiring educator and my role in the classroom.
Tanaka “Tiki” Dang
Hours in the project: 208.75 hrs
Major: Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Coming to the Herbarium, I’ve learned a lot about database and imaging bryophytes and lichens. Before working on this project, I did not know about the many different projects and how large of a collection that we have here at UF. I find all the different places the specimens come from fascinating and love stumbling upon something new everyday.
Andrew Dinh
Hours in the project: 141.25 hrs
Major: Biocehmistry
What have you learned in the project: Working at the Herbarium, I have learned many new things. I would never have known how vast of acollection of bryophytes, lichens, and mosses we have here at the University of Florida. I also would never have imagined how much of an impact a small, few ounce sample could help us discover so many things about our world. Although some people have made fun of me as being a “plant guy”, data basing and cataloging specimens requires very careful and precise work. And despite how interesting it is to see the diverse species from across the globe and learning a variety of scientific names I could never pronounce, this project would not have been as successful without teamwork from my employers and coworkers, who have made this project run smoothly and become more enjoyable.
Alejandro Gonzalez
Hours in the project: 267.50 hrs
Major: Chemistry
From my time spent amongst the many men and women of the imposing biological sciences, and amidst the simple if not noble plant specimens nigh centuries my elder, I have garnered a healthy respect for the rigors of modern curation, which as a modest technician I am all but inundated in its many nuances. More so than this I have experienced, as a first-time employee, the indelible importance of teamwork and copious collaboration within an environment at times saturated in mind-numbing tedium, a crucial cohesiveness without which little could be done in this, if not all, fields. Having experienced these trials and revelations first-hand, I may with little doubt declare myself significantly more qualified for future competitive employment, and if a little flourish be permitted, I might even add I’ve grown more as a person, and for this, I am sincerely indebted to my gracious employers.
Brontie Herrera
Hours in the project: 123 hrs
Major: Biology Pre-med
There are many types of lichens and bryophytes and I thought it was very interesting seeing all the places the specimens were found and to see how old they actually were. I loved being able to work with specimens from the 1800s. Its not everyday that you get to hold a piece of history in your hands. I also really loved the work environment I was in; everyone was really nice and they made it fun to go to work everyday. This for me was a great experience and I’m glad to have been apart of it.
Paula Adrianna Johns
Hours in the project: 181.75 hrs
Major: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
The main concept that I derived from this project is that the diversity of plants is astounding. Hearing and seeing the different classifications of plants was particularly interesting. Since I was taking Biology while working at the Herbarium, getting to interact with the many specimens reinforced the concepts that I was learning at the time. Getting to work with the students that also worked on the project was also a perk to this job. Everyone that participated on this project came from very different backgrounds and that diversity made coming to work especially enjoyable. There was never a dull moment working on this project during this semester.
Kaitlyn Michelle Mannis
Hours in the project: 288.25 hrs
Major: Political Science and Criminology
This project has taught me many things. When I began to work I did not really know what a lichen or bryophyte was. Now, after spending a year working with them I could recognize one anywhere. Also something very interesting I have learned is how scientific collections are created and used. Not only has the project provided with academic insight but it also put me in a situation where I needed to really work effectively with other so we could get our work done quickly and correctly. Having now worked with several different people, each with a different system of doing things, I feel confident that I can work well in any environment.
Danielle Robinson-Pierre
Hours in the project: 293 hrs
Major: Health Science
Working on this project, I have become very familiar with the naming system for plant species. Also, I have learned the importance of teamwork, because with the help of everyone this project has turned into a great success.
Nicki Rowsell
Hours in the project: 249.5 hrs
Major: Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
I learned more about how plant species were labeled and organized, and I learned more about how to work with others in a team environment and cooperate in pairs to work more efficiently. In addition to that, I also learned how to organize on a rather large-scale and not be overwhelmed, and that it’s incredibly satisfying to work hard and see beneficial results.
Aiman Sajjad
Hours in the project: 118.75 hrs
Major: Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Working at the Herbarium, I have learned much about the process of database as well as imaging specimens for OCR. This project has taught me to be cooperative with others and to rely on your set of skills. Time spent on this project has not gone to waste since I have learned a great deal about lichens and bryophytes. Their importance is greatly undermined. As I continue to work on this project, I stumble upon new discoveries every day.
Danielle Thibault
(Volunteer)
Hours in the project: 25 hrs.
Major: History
Through my work on this project, I learned so much about archival and database management. As I plan to work in archival of historic documents and other items, learning about archival techniques was extremely valuable. It was great to get hands-on experience working with such a vast collection that includes a wide range of specimens, some of which were collected over 100 years ago! Although my major and career plans don’t involve lichens and bryophytes, it was still very interesting to see the different species. Most importantly, I learned about how much hard work goes into organizing and maintaining any sort of collection.
Claudia M. Zafra
Hours in the project: 258.50 hrs.
Major: Microbiology
I’ve learned that mosses, bryophytes, and lichens are environmental indicators and can be observed to measure environmental impacts.
Some fun moments!
