By Tom Gresham

Abby Bressette exemplifies the opportunities that Virginia Commonwealth University offers an undergraduate student interested in research. As a freshman, Bressette linked up with Lesley Bulluck, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the graduate program in the Center for Environmental Studies, and the junior has been actively engaged in a variety of ecological research projects ever since.

In addition to working with Bulluck at VCU, Bressette participated in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates project in Brooklyn, New York in 2023, studying coastal restoration with the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay. Last year, Bressette presented her research at the conferences of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, the New England Estuarine Research Society and the American Ornithological Society.

Bressette, who grew up in Ashburn, Virginia, is an environmental studies major with a minor in biology in the Honors College and the College of Humanities and Sciences. She shared with VCU News how she found her path to research and what it has meant for her.

In two sentences, tell us the focus of your research ... and why it is important/impactful for all of us.

I am currently researching how non-native, invasive plants impact the abundance of caterpillars as a source of food for golden-winged and chestnut-sided warblers on private land in Highland County, Virginia. The results of this study will be communicated to a network of private landowners to inform their management of invasive species, which will help to conserve birds and other native flora and fauna in Virginia.

What inspired you to pursue this line of research?

As a freshman, I was excited to learn more about ecology and do field work. I decided to talk to my intro to environmental studies professor about how to get involved in my major, and he pointed me in the direction of several labs in the Center for Environmental Studies, including Lesley Bulluck’s lab. After I reached out to her via email, I met with her in person and learned about her research on prothonotary warblers. Once I joined her lab, I helped another undergraduate collect data for a project on feather coloration in female prothonotary warblers and learned about other projects that Bulluck’s graduate students were working on during lab meetings. After some time helping in Bulluck’s lab, she offered to help me conduct an independent study.

Tell us about a surprise in your research journey.

I have always enjoyed watching birds at my feeder and in parks, but it wasn’t until I joined Bulluck’s lab that I found a deeper appreciation for them. Since my freshman year, I have learned so much about the ecology and anatomy of birds both in the classroom and the field. My interest in birds has changed my experience of nature because now I always notice birds and birdsong. Birding, which I have also picked up as a hobby, makes me feel more at peace and connected with nature.

Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you had to overcome in your work.

Bulluck and I expected that my current research project would take only one field season. After analyzing the data from last summer, we did not find a difference in the number of caterpillars on native versus non-native shrubs. However, Bulluck’s master’s student, Sam Fishman, found that golden-winged and chestnut-sided warblers forage more on trees than shrubs. Therefore, we decided to shift our research question to understand how the shrubs surrounding a tree could impact the amount of caterpillars using the tree as a host, and therefore food availability for the two focal bird species. At first, I felt discouraged because we did not get the results that we expected. However, I now understand that the lack of a difference between native and non-native shrubs is in fact an informative result, and has been able to guide the future direction of this research.

Is there a memorable partnership or lesson you've embraced along the way?

Bulluck’s mentorship has helped me to grow and gain experience as a researcher. I have learned so much about birds, field methods, data analysis, scientific writing and academia from her. She has guided me through research projects starting with a question all the way up to presenting the results at conferences. Not only have I developed important skills being in her lab, but I have also gained confidence in myself as a scientist.

What do you find fulfilling about the research process?

One of my favorite aspects of research is sharing results with the scientific community. I have enjoyed giving poster presentations at conferences because it allows for a more conversational exchange of ideas and is an opportunity to connect with other people doing similar work. I appreciate when people give suggestions and ask further questions related to my research, and it is exciting how one question can lead into another in science.

What advice would you offer undergrads to kick-start their own research journeys?

If you are looking to get involved in undergraduate research, I recommend taking a small step like talking to a professor, either to join their lab or connect with other possible research mentors. It takes courage to seek new opportunities, but it can be very rewarding. Even if you are not sure what you are interested in researching, it is worth taking the time to talk to people and learn about what different opportunities look interesting to you.