Student Spotlight - Alex Hulstrom

Worked with Dr. Van Grinsven and Michigan State University's Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (UPREC).

Alex in the field

When asked to reflect on his URFP experience, he said: "Starting from mid-way through the cover crop growth, I’ve had a hand in almost every step in the process of this year's iteration of this research project. To understand the cover and weed density, I conducted 40 crop stand and weed stand surveys on all the research plots. Then I utilized an experimental study design diagram to designate 40 different experimental plots. This was all in preparation for eliminating the cover crops with our 5 different methods, which happened end of June. At this point, the HOBO data loggers integral to collecting the soil moisture and temperature data for my research were installed. For the rest of the summer, my main focus was collecting greenhouse gas flux data and periodically checking in on the HOBO loggers. When the summer ended, I still went out for a couple more weekends for data collection, but most of the work consisted of data entry. There were also some lab opportunities to analyze soil for another part of the research. Eventually, we worked to synthesize the data and work it into a digestible poster presentation. We then presented these posters at the 2025 CANVAS conference in Salt Lake City.

Work in the field some days was miserable, while other days, it was the most rewarding and meaningful work I
had ever done. Generally, the latter prevailed, and the overall endeavor was worth every minute. From crop production to scientific methods in field research, I learned a great deal. This experience gave great insight into what a graduate program may look like and what's needed to get to that point. Plus, it has allowed me to narrow down my academic and career interests post-graduation. Most importantly, though, it has emphasized the curriculum NMU has offered
me through real-world experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

This program stands as a testament to Northern's dedication to empowering and preparing students for their careers post-graduation and is something that I am honored to be a part of."

Alex Hulstrom
Mentor: Matt Van Grinsven, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Project title: "Assessing soil water conservation and climate resilience implications among
reduced tillage practices."

Ava Turino
Mentor: Joshua Carlson, Psychological Science
Project title: "Assessing the Duration of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Reward-Related Brain Activity"

Ayla Vehring
Mentor: Malorie Albee, Sociology/Anthropology
Project title: "The Dynamic Foot: Cross-Sectional Geometry of the Metatarsals in Relation to Demographic Variables"

Brigitte Dupuis
Mentor: Cory & Forrest Toegels, Psychological Science
Project title: "Conducting and Evaluating Outcomes for Contingency-Management Interventions Aimed at Promoting Healthy Behavior."

Chloe Billington
Mentor: Lin Fang, Psychological Science
Project title: "The impact of cognitive flexibility on self-report emotion regulation and heart-rate variability"

David Dybisz
Mentor: Evan Pratt, Chemistry
Project title: "Tracking ERK Regulation by Cannabinoids in Lipid Rafts & Non-Lipid Raft Domains Using Fluorescent Biosensors"

Drake Dotson
Mentor: Rick Mengyan, Physics
Project title: "Continuing Work on a New Tool for Analyzing μSR Data for Semiconductors"

Kailey Buettner
Mentor: David Wood, English
Project title: "On Page and On Stage: Landscape in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale at the 2025 Stratford
Festival"

Lars Anderson
Mentor: Jill Leonard, Biology
Project title: "Juvenile burbot (Lota lota) habitat selection in a simulated naturalistic environment"

Leila Heuser
Mentor: Lin Fang, Psychological Science
Project title: "The Influence of Green Self-Identity on Consumer Attention Allocation and Decision Making"

Logan Blanketship
Mentor: Lin Fang, Psychological Science
Project title: "Using EEG to Study the Social Aspect of Error Monitoring"

Paige Dolph
Mentor: Jon Barch, Psychological Science
Project title: "Dual Acquisition High-Density EEG with Hyperscanning to Study Social Influences on Reward Processing"

Alex Hopper
Mentor: Matt Jennings, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Project title: "Characterization of two-dimensional and three-dimensional levetiracetam-enhanced temozolomide-treated cells"

Anna Armstrong
Mentor: Jelili Adebiyi, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Project title: "Manure Management Strategies to Preserve Waterways on Mackinac Island"

Cameron Keller
Mentor: Lesley Putman, Chemistry
Project title: "Influence of varying light wavelengths on industrial hemp efficiency for phytoremediation of PFOS"

Elle Russell
Mentor: Joshua Carlson, Psychological Science
Project title: "Neural mechanisms of reward processing: The relationship between reward anticipation and reward consumption in high and low reward responsive individuals."

Josh Yang
Mentor: Joshua Carlson, Psychological Science
Project title: "Timecourse of Neural Activity Across Low and High Reward Responders"

Julia Drexel
Mentor: Alexander Wilson, Chemistry
Project title: "Structural Determinants of the Glycosylation of Stilbenoids and Bibenzyls with Medicinal Properties"

Kay Hintze
Mentor: Cory Toegel, Psychological Science
Project title: "Evaluating post-intervention outcomes for a Therapeutic Workplace intervention for homeless adults with alcohol use disorder"

Kenzee DeFrenn 
Mentor: Sarah Jennings, Nursing
Project title: "Accommodations in Nursing"

Lars Anderson
Mentor: Jill Leonard, Biology
Project title: "Juvenile burbot (Lota lota) habitat selection in a simulated naturalistic environment"

Lola Rigano
Mentor: Jelili Adebiyi, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Project title: "Growing Sustainability - Bothwell Middle School Garden Project"

Max Husa
Mentor: Kathryn Newton, Chemistry
Project title: "Synthesis and Modification of Tin(II) Oxide Nanoparticle Photocatalysts to Degrade PFAS"

Paige Dolph
Mentor: Jon Barch, Psychological Science
Project title: "Electroencephalogram Testing; Reward Related Positivity"

Rick Sicotte
Mentor: Josh Sharp, Biology
Project title: "Wastewater Surveillance for Pathogens: A Focus on COVID-19, Norovirus, and RSV"

Addison Bailey
Mentor: Forrest Toegel, Psychological Science
Project title: "Evaluating Laboratory Arrangements to Study Impulsivity and Self-Control in Choice Models with Rats"

Alex Hopper
Mentor: Matt Jennings, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Project title: "Characterization of two-dimensional and three-dimensional levetiracetam-enhanced temozolomide-treated cells"

Anne Carrier
Mentor: Josh Sharp, Biology
Project title: "RSV ddPCR wastewater epidemiology"

Elizabeth Williams
Mentor: Weronika Kusek, Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Project title: "Reimagining Streets as Spaces for Wealth Creation"

James Asava
Mentor: Christine Lenzen, Art and Design
Project title: "The Exploration of Race."

Jill Cline
Mentor: Maris Cinelli, Chemistry
Project title: "Discovery of Beta-Carboline Alkaloids in Nightshades"

Mark Fuller
Mentor: LaMart Hightower, Social Work
Project title: "SUD Recovery Aftercare: Is enough being done?"

Mira Goemaere
Mentor: Alec Lindsay, Biology
Project title: "Genetic Identification of Avian Blood Parasites of White-Throated Sparrows"

Taylor Bartley
Mentor: Cory Toegel, Psychological Science
Project title: "Evaluating the Role of Signals on Pausing and Preference under Ratio Schedules"

Wren Konickson
Mentor: Evan Pratt, Chemistry
Project title: "Illuminating the Behavior and Localization of Cellular Mg2+ in Human Cells Using Fluorescent Biosensor"