Raven Larcom

Currently, I am quantifying the species richness and diversity of wild bee populations in relation to the floral profiles of ornamental gardens across St. Lawrence County and comparing this data to two previous studies observing wild bees in kitchen gardens and wildflower patches. The results of this study will allow us to both better understand the composition of our native pollinator populations and create a publicly accessible, bee-friendly planting guide to better inform the general public on how to support and conserve local pollinator populations in rural agricultural areas - specifically northern New York.

After graduating from St. Lawrence University, I intend to earn a doctorate in horticultural entomology to begin my career as a faculty member studying plant-insect relationships and insect agroecology. I am committed to studying the intersection of conservation, entomology, and art, as well as making this vital research more accessible to the public. I would like my interdisciplinary research, teaching, and academic work to serve as catalysts that inspire future students to support native insect populations and, subsequently, a more balanced global ecosystem.

As a first-generation college student from a rural area, accessing academia was inherently difficult while growing up. Consequently, making research more accessible to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to be involved in science has become a critical part of my identity as a young academic. The NSF LAS program at St. Lawrence University has allowed me to pursue my interests in biology while also pursuing studio art as a second major - something that is virtually impossible at larger, research-based institutions. While attending St. Lawrence, I have been able to not only conduct two original research projects, but also enhance my creative abilities, visual analysis techniques, and communication skills to be able to better inform the general public of my research through engaging and comprehensible methods.