66 Research Reflection by Mateo Joya-Ayala

Faculty Mentor: Austin Green (Biology, University of Utah)

Participating in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research has enriched my educational journey and allowed me to engage in new research activities and procedures. Including the following: The data collection process for a camera-trapping project across the Salt Lake Valley involved a multifaceted set of tasks and skills, ranging from technical to manual. The process can be broken down into several key stages:

1. Planning and Site Selection: The first step was identifying and selecting appropriate locations for camera placement. That involved studying maps and satellite images of the Salt Lake Valley to pinpoint areas with high potential for wildlife activity, considering factors such as terrain, vegetation, and known wildlife habitats to ensure optimal camera placement.
2. Equipment Preparation and Programming: Once the sites were selected, the next phase was preparing and programming the camera equipment. That involved several tasks:
   • Camera Setup: Cameras had to be configured with the correct settings for capturing images or video, including motion detection sensitivity, image resolution, and date/time stamps.
   • Testing: Each camera must undergo testing to ensure it is functioning correctly. That included checking battery life, memory card capacity, and the operation of motion sensors.
3. Manual Labor and Installation: The physical installation of the cameras required significant manual effort. Including:
   • Traveling to Sites: Transporting cameras and installation tools to various locations across the valley, often requiring hiking or off-road driving.
   • Mounting Cameras: Securing the cameras to trees or other structures using straps or mounting brackets. A careful checklist was followed to ensure the cameras were positioned at optimal angles to capture wildlife activity while minimizing exposure to the elements.
   • Camouflage and Adjustment: To avoid detection by wildlife and protect the equipment from environmental conditions, cameras were often camouflaged with natural materials. Finally, Additional adjustments were made to ensure the cameras were securely mounted and correctly aligned.
4. . Monitoring and Maintenance: The cameras require regular monitoring and maintenance. This involved:
   • Data Retrieval: Periodically visit each site to retrieve memory cards or download data from the cameras. That was crucial for assessing the quality and quantity of the captured footage.
   • Equipment Checks: Inspecting the cameras for any damage or malfunctions, replacing batteries, and making any necessary adjustments to settings or positioning.
5. Data Analysis: The final stage involved analyzing the collected data. That included:
   • Reviewing Footage: Reviewing the images or videos captured by the cameras to identify wildlife species, monitor behavior, and assess population density.
   • Data Management: Organizing and systematically storing the data to facilitate further analysis and reporting.

Overall, the camera-trapping project required technical expertise and physical endurance. From the intricate details of programming the equipment to the labor-intensive task of camera installation, each step was crucial for ensuring the success of the data collection effort across the diverse environments of Salt Lake Valley.

This experience has offered me a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading faculty mentors on impactful projects, enhancing my academic knowledge and practical skills. Engaging in such new techniques provided valuable abilities for my scholarly and work career and let me dive into a new and unfamiliar area of research. Collaborating with these esteemed researchers has been a cornerstone of my educational development, providing me with insights and expertise beyond traditional classroom learning. The abilities and knowledge provided by the team allowed me to quickly understand the flow of the work and how things work in this area of research.

Working closely with faculty has allowed me to delve into projects that align with my personal interests and academic curiosities. This hands-on involvement in research has broadened my understanding of different research fields and enabled me to explore and refine my research questions and hypotheses. The freedom to investigate areas of personal interest within a rigorous academic research framework has been intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.