AI NIHONGI
Originally from Kanagawa, Japan, Ai received her undergraduate degree in marine biology from Tokyo University of Fisheries. A recipient of the Clifford H. Mortimer Award, she is currently a third-year graduate student working on several projects including copepod mating. She had the fortune of attending the International Conference on Copepoda in July 2002 and won the Best Student Award for her presentation entitled "Comparison of Mate-searching Behaviors of Marine and Freshwater Calanoid Copepods". Ai also investigates Daphnia behavior in a number of ways including inducible defense strategies displayed in response to predators, the effect of density gradients on swimming, and how water flows through the animal’s body. In her spare time, Ai likes to swim, cook, and play saxophone in the Milwaukee Municipal Orchestra.

SARAH LOVERN
Hailing from rural Missouri, Sarah is a first-year doctoral student who received her bachelor’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She has observed copepod mating behavior and response to predation in Daphnia. Sarah currently investigates vision as it pertains to navigational abilities in copepods. She also finds time to SCUBA dive, play soccer, and has collected over 150 Pez dispensers.

RHIANNON CLOUSE
Rhiannon has been accepted into UWM’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project (UROP) for the duration of her sophomore year. She investigates Daphnia behavior when exposed to concentration gradients and varying amounts of food. A Milwaukee native, Rhiannon plans on becoming a pediatrician and has found pleasure working with children for the last two years. She also enjoys playing with her two cats and two ferrets, Cecil and Nigel