Anna Tohlen, a senior biology major, will leave Dec. 15 for Antarctica, where she will perform research for an online class hosted by Oregon State University. Tohlen will study all aspects of the Artic environment, including global warming, bacteria and penguins.
“Global warming is what I’m interested in,” Tohlen said, “but whatever they ask me to study, I’ll study.”
Tohlen’s trip will be jointly funded by the biology department and the Carl Goodson Honors Program, which she joined her freshmen year.
“I was asked to be in the honors program, and I asked around to see if it would be worthwhile,” she said. “Everyone said it was a great opportunity, especially the research grants, which can help you get into graduate school.”
Dr. Amy Sonheim, director of the honors program, is enthusiastic about the trip.
“The honors program now will have sent students to all seven continents,” Sonheim said.
After a 34-hour flight, Tohlen’s excursion will begin in South America.
“We land in Argentina, do a couple days of studies there, learn a little about South American culture and the effect Antarctica’s tourism has on it, then we will board for a 10-day cruise,“ Tohlen said. “It’s not at all a luxury cruise. It’s very basic; the pictures reminded me of a National Geographic. We’ll stop to research throughout the cruise.”
Tohlen actually expected to perform her research in Alabama this summer, but when circumstances changed her plans, Antarctica was the alternative.
“Dr. Sonheim is the one who got me into it,” Tohlen said. “One of her colleagues from graduate school works at Oregon State, and this past summer [Sonheim] sent me an e-mail saying, ‘Sorry, Alabama didn’t work, but we can go for Antarctica!’”
Although the Antarctica trip was a bit unexpected, Tohlen is happy with the situation.
“I’m excited to go through Argentina and see the culture,” she said. “I’m excited to go on the boat ride, and see what’s untouched by human hands and how beautiful it is.”
Tohlen’s true passion is animals.
“I actually did my directed study on the bull shark,” she said.
After Ouachita, Tohlen plans to attend veterinary school.
“I worked for a vet this summer, with just dogs and cats, and that was fun, but its not what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Tohlen said. “I’m applying to vet school right now. I’ve been thinking about learning about these exotic places; I don’t want to do normal vet work. I want to work with exotic animals.”
After Antarctica, Tohlen will return to Argentina, where she will present her findings.
“I’ll write responses to everything I study while I’m there,“ Tohlen said, “plus two research projects, one before I leave, and another that I present in South America.
