Congratulations to the winners of the Life Sciences photo contest! Winners were chosen in two categories, Inspiring Learning and Artistic Merit. Read their stories behind the photos below.
Inspiring Learning
Congratulate the winners on the Life Sciences Instagram!
Isaac Stirland – 1st
"Odisho became one of my dearest friends this summer. At nine years of age, he fled Iraq in hopes of escaping the fate of his friends and family members. His older brother, Odisho, came to Jordan trying to preserve his life, find work opportunities, and find religious freedom. This photo came from one of my most meaningful summer internships with the non-profit HXP. As a trip leader, I oversaw 35 youth from across the United States as we built classrooms and provided relief to Odisho and dozens of others like him. I will always remember my time in Jordan and my wonderful friend, Odisho."
Janae Radke – 2nd
"This is a female sage grouse. My summer fieldwork included leading crews of BYU students to capture grouse. We followed these birds through the summer to track their nesting habits and survival. Grouse are captured with huge nets late at night, often when it is bitter cold. To disorient and catch them, we use strobe lights and blast rock or metal music through a speaker. My go-to song is Ozzy Osbourne’s "Crazy Train." My favorite part of the job is taking volunteers out in the field to develop a unique set of skills and have an experience unlike any other."
Arissa Huffcutt – 3rd
"We were checking out one of the giant termite mounds off the side of the road, and we found instead (among other things) an ant that had taken up residence in one of the mound's tunnels and laid their eggs there. It was really cool to see that the result of one species' actions could benefit or harm so many other organisms around them."
Eva Jasinski – Honorable Mention
"This past summer, I traveled with Dr. Bybee on a study abroad collecting insects in Vietnamese national parks. While staying in a small mountain village in Phia Oac, I was looking through our catch of the day and this Neurobasis Chinensis damselfly caught my attention. Its metallic green wings sparkled in the setting sun as I snapped a picture on the highest building in the village."
Artistic Merit
Congratulate the winners on the Life Sciences Instagram!
Jorelle Balahadia – 1st
"A sunrise you have been waiting all night for."
Eva Simpson – 2nd
"Pacific Sea Nettle."
Benjamin David Smith – 3rd
"An underside view of a round-bottomed flask used to extract lipids from C. Vulgaris. Microalgae species such as Chlorella Vulgaris are actively being studied as potential sources of green energy and nutritious phytochemicals, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids."
Keegan Hammond – Honorable Mention
"Alex is ready to harvest the wheat."