Hannah Grushon is a first-year Master's student at the University of Illinois in the Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences program and a graduate research assistant with the Illinois Natural History Survey. With a background in studying grassland birds and plants, her research focuses on the impacts of woody encroachment on grassland bird communities and reproduction. A graduate of Earlham College with a B.A. in Biology, Hannah has extensive experience as a field technician and crew lead. Her passion for conservation drives her research, which aims to identify effective management strategies to support these critical ecosystems. Keep reading to learn more about Hannah’s work and her advice for those starting out in the field.
Q&A with Hannah Grushon
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and your role at PRI?
A: I am a first-year Master's student in T.J. Benson's lab, and I study the impacts of woody encroachment on grassland bird communities and reproduction. I hope to use this research to identify impactful management strategies that support obligate grassland bird and plant species.
Q: What drew you to your area of work or study?
A: I've always been interested in the natural world, and I decided to study ecology during my undergraduate years to learn more about the species that surround us. When I had the opportunity to participate in prairie research, I began to understand the importance of this work, especially in rapidly declining habitats like grasslands. This inspired me to continue studying this system to make a difference for the species I’ve grown to care so much about.
Q: What is one tool that is indispensable to your work?
A: In the field, a variety of tools are essential, including GPS units, measuring devices like tape measures and quadrats for vegetation, range-finders, binoculars, and cameras. These help collect data during vegetation and bird surveys and aid in relocating and filming bird nests. In the lab, data analysis software such as RStudio and ArcGIS are indispensable for conducting statistical and spatial analyses to evaluate the results of my research.
Q: What questions do you get asked most frequently about your career? How do you answer those questions?
A: What careers can you pursue by studying ecology?
Degrees in ecology and related fields offer a wide range of career opportunities. You can follow an academic path, conducting research in an institutional setting, or explore policy, land management, restoration, or education. This is just a short list of the many directions ecology can lead to.
What does your day-to-day life look like in ecological research?
It depends on whether I’m in the field or the office. During the field season, my days typically start with early-morning bird censuses and nest searching, followed by vegetation surveys and data entry in the afternoons. When I’m on campus, I focus more on coursework, thesis development, and data analysis.
Q: What advice would you give to those just starting out in your field?
A: I encourage anyone starting out in this field to get involved in fieldwork whenever possible. Actively participating in the research process is one of the best ways to learn about ecological systems from various perspectives, and it’s invaluable in helping you decide on a career path.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I enjoy hiking, birding, cooking, and learning to play music on new instruments.