Lilly Rennie (She/Her)
Where are you from?
Rindge, New Hampshire
What are you involved in at RIT?
I am the President of the College of Science Student Activities Board (COSSAB), the Vice President of RIT Power Yoga, and a member of VisViva Dance Company. I am involved in research with the Mega Labs under Dr. Elle Barnes, researching environmental DNA in vernal pools. I am also a RIT365 Co-Facilitator for the Year One Program and a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Biology.
Why RIT and the College of Science?
I chose RIT because of all the opportunities it would open up for me. When I first toured the campus I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and once I saw the laboratories here I knew that it was where I should be. In high school I never even got to participate in labs, so the idea that I could here was so amazing. I am so glad that I chose RIT because I don't think I would have gotten all of the hands on experience that I did anywhere else.
What is your advice for prospective college students?
Even though the campus is big and can be intimidating, there is nothing to be nervous about at RIT. There is always someone in your corner, both inside and outside academics. Never feel like you are alone or be too scared to ask questions, because RIT is a place where you are surrounded by support of faculty and students who want to be there for you and see the best version of you.
What research projects have you been involved in or are currently working on?
I am involved in research with Dr. Elle Barnes in the MEGA Labs at RIT. I have been working in the MEGA Labs since the spring of my freshman year! MEGA stands for Microbial Ecology & Genomics in Amphibians, and we focus on amphibians (salamanders specifically) and their interactions with the environment. Our lab has particularly been interested in the chytrid fungus and how it invades the microbiome of amphibians, and this fungi has been the reason for extinction of multiple species.
For my current research project, I am investigating environmental DNA (eDNA) from vernal pools in Rochester. eDNA is genetic material that organisms leave behind in their environment, and by collecting DNA from sources such as water, soil, and air, we can identify organisms that are present in an area without having to physically observe or collect them. My research question is how eDNA collected from water, air, and sediment can be used to accurately characterize the communities of organisms associated with vernal pools.
Vernal pools are temporary wetlands that form in the spring from snowmelt and rainfall and are particularly important ecosystems for amphibians because they provide breeding habitat with relatively few aquatic predators, such as fish. Through this project, I have been involved in field and laboratory research (DNA extraction, PCR) and as I continue the project I will gain skills in computational analysis (working on sorting DNA sequences using programming). By combining these approaches, we hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the organisms present in and around these important ecosystems and the interactions that make up their communities.