Above the quiet canals, dawn stretched across the Dutch wetlands. A single dragonfly skimmed the surface of the water while Rebekah Christensen (BIO ’26) stood knee-deep in reeds, notebook in hand. In that moment, she realized that studying these creatures in the field had allowed her to step into their world.
Two summers ago, Christensen participated in an internship in Leiden, Netherlands working at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center with Dr. Bybee. She focused on dragonfly research, identifying and studying various dragonfly species. Her time in the Netherlands deepened her love for fieldwork and opened her eyes to possibilities. “It was so cool to see other parts of the world and engage with all the rich biodiversity,” says Christensen. By studying dragonflies, Christensen learned more about how insects are impacted by environmental health, water quality, and climate change. Her research helps paint a picture of the impacts of global warming, and it can provide insights for conservation and sustainability efforts.
Christensen continued to expand her education out in the field while studying plants in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska through a polar ecology class. She researched how logging affects the plant biodiversity of old growth forests. She also experienced what it’s like to curate biodiverse collections as she helped to acquire, preserve, document, and organize biological specimens at BYU’s Bean Life Science Museum during her curation of biodiversity collections class. Her work enabled her to learn more about creatures from all over the world, something she is immensely grateful for.
“It's important for me to understand the planet,” she reflects. "It helps me feel more connected to nature and the world that I live in. We need to understand the world’s ecosystems because we are part of it.”
We need to understand the world’s ecosystems because we are part of it.
Expanding her collection of impactful educational experiences enriched Christensen’s view of the world. It confirmed that her passion for biodiversity and her desire to be a better steward who safeguards God’s creations will continue to guide her far beyond graduation.
Throughout her academic journey, Christensen’s faith has grown as she’s learned to rely on God through challenges, something she says was strengthened by BYU’s spiritual atmosphere. Reflecting on her BYU experience, she encourages others to rely on God and “not to lose sight of what you love.”
Looking ahead, Christensen hopes to work in a national park or botanical garden, helping support and care for the local environment around her. As she moves forward, she hopes to build a future rooted in both her love for the natural world and the passions that have shaped her along the way.