Pictured: Biology and Aquarium Science majors with Professor Gareth Hopkins
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University students majoring in Biology and Aquarium Science attended the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference in Salem, accompanied by faculty sponsor Gareth Hopkins, Ph.D. This conference is the premier event in the state for professionals in wildlife biology and natural resources, attracting significant participation from state agencies and employers.
Among the attendees, three Western biology students, Sophia Tate, Antonette Tilgner, and Lilia Chapman, presented their independent research during the event. Tilgner earned the Best Undergraduate Student Poster for her work titled “The Impact of Water Quality on Physiological Stress, Immune Function, and Capture Success in Western Painted Turtles and Red-Eared Sliders.”
“Attending this conference is a great opportunity to learn about different career paths and gain personal employer contacts for the future. I never fail to learn new things and ideas in biology,” shared Tate, a fifth-year biology student.
Biology professors Gareth Hopkins, Ph. D., and Mike LeMaster, Ph. D., co-mentored this research. Tilgner competed against students from higher education institutions across Oregon, including Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology.
“The conference provided an invaluable opportunity for students to network with biologists and hiring managers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry, and other employers,” shared Hopkins. “It was gratifying to witness WOU biology alumni, now employed as biologists by ODFW and in graduate positions at other universities, reconnecting with current students. This engagement underscores WOU’s commitment to fostering future leaders in wildlife biology and natural resources.”
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
