Dr. Ray studies and models the dynamics of plant and animal populations, focusing especially on threatened species with fragmented populations. Her projects have included hierarchical modeling of point count data on birds in western National Parks, analyzing the role of metacommunity dynamics in the assembly of vernal pool plant communities, and modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of plague in prairie ecosystems. Her long-term project involves research on the American pika, aimed at understanding climatic influences on local extinctions of this species throughout western North America.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
ENVS 4850 - ENVS Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
To be taken in final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Department enforced restriction: Requires a minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared ENVS major and approval by departmental honors committee. If a student wishes to use ENVS 4850 to complete the ENVS Capstone degree requirement, at least 3 credit hours of ENVS 4850 are required (by graduation). Recommended prerequisites: ENVS students should have already taken a cornerstone class (ENVS 3520, ENVS 3525, ENVS 3555, or ENVS 3621).
