Prairie
ts to preserve the tallgrass prairie through research nutrients and biomass of the plants in the two systems to determine the effects of the native grass, Gail Wilson said. The second step was to eradicate the non-native plant species to create an area where native plant species can be established. Previously, restoration projects had minimal success in restoring these grasslands once an invasion occurred, she said. “We have the first two stages already completed in three semesters,” Gail Wilson said. “She has made great progress for a master’s student.” Hickman said it has been thrilling to see Luci Wilson’s oral presentation skills significantly improve since the beginning of her graduate studies. Luci Wilson said she gained confidence through her research and by preparing for the 3MT competition, but she also faced a different challenge: her 92-year-old grandfather died days before the competition. “I gave the eulogy the day before the 3MT competition,” Luci Wilson said. “ I kept telling myself, if I could get through this, I could get through my 3MT.”
WHITNEY ANDRAS Checotah, Okla.
NREM’s Luci Wilson shared her tallgrass prairie research through OSU’s Three Minute Thesis competition. Photo by Whitney Andras. COWBOY JOURNAL | 11
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