Michael Back is a graduating senior Honors College student, majoring in biology with a concentration in organismal biology and a minor in Spanish. Originally from Sharon Center, Ohio, Michael has been interested in ecological restoration since he was in high school. Now in the final semester of his Senior Honors Thesis, Michael used his thesis to delve deeper into his ecological interests. His thesis analyzes a new restoration technique for abandoned surface mines in Cuyahoga Valley, examining “soil bulk density and soil chemistry.”
Michael has been interested in the honors thesis program since enrolling at Kent State, and his experiences at Kent prepared him to complete a thesis. In his sophomore year, Michael joined an ecology laboratory, working under Tom Ruggles, a graduate student studying ecology in the Department of Biological Sciences. Michael says that his work with Ruggles taught him “a lot about field work in ecology.” Michael also completed the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in the summer of 2019, studying soil bulk density at abandoned mines in Cuyahoga Valley with Dr. Christopher Blackwood of the biological sciences department. At the end of the summer, Dr. Blackwood encouraged Michael to continue his research project as an honors thesis. These experiences with ecology allowed Michael to work independently on his thesis, developing a research question, studying the question, and finally writing his thesis manuscript. Michael notes how helpful Dr. Blackwood, now his thesis advisor, has been. Dr. Blackwood met with Michael weekly throughout his thesis, answering all of Michael’s questions, whether “about general biological theories or complex statistical analyses.” Michael explains that having experience in ecological field work, as well as a supportive thesis advisor, helped him thrive as a thesis student.
Not only did Michael’s experiences and connections help him succeed in his thesis, but the completed thesis will also help him continue to succeed. One of Michael’s life goals is to “have a positive impact on . . . natural landscapes so that the next generations can experience them as well.” Michael’s thesis is one step towards restoring natural settings, but it also gives him valuable experience for future ecological endeavors. Having his own research published through the Honors College, Michael can showcase his thesis as proof of his ability in the field of ecology. Indeed, Michael has been accepted into Kent State’s master’s program for ecology and evolutionary biology, and the graduate-level work of an honors thesis was excellent preparation for Michael. The thesis program also provided Michael with more general skills. Throughout the process, Michael learned to ask for help, explaining, “I was surrounded by . . . experts in the field and often needed . . . tough questions answered.” He also notes that completing a thesis has enhanced his communication skills, which he says was “something [he] struggled with at the beginning of college.” He even adds that his writing skills are “really progressing” as he finishes his manuscript. Communication, asking for help, and strong writing are all widely applicable skills that will help Michael succeed in any setting.
If Michael could offer any advice to his fellow honors students, he encourages his peers to carefully plan their thesis work in advance. He explains, “A thesis is unique because it is really only you working on it[,] and no one is going to give you deadlines except for yourself.” For Michael, developing a timetable for each thesis step helped him ensure that he did not fall behind in his work.
Michael plans to defend his thesis to a defense committee this April, and he is excited to continue studying ecology in graduate school at Kent State.
For more information about the Senior Honors Thesis/Project, please contact Lori Michael, the Thesis Coordinator. For more information about the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, please contact Ann Gosky, Director for the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.
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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Michael Back, standing outside in Kent with a dog.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Michael standing indoors in Kent, wearing a mask.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312