Research Student
Gretert Montano I am currently a sophomore at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College pursuing a pathway to a major in chemistry. I have always found chemistry to be extraordinarily interesting because it plays a role in everyone’s life and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way, shape or form. From cooking to doing laundry to dyeing your hair, chemistry is a part of our daily routines. Once I complete my associate degree at MDC, I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. My mother has always been incredibly supportive of me. She taught me that remaining confident and enthusiastic while pursuing my goals was the best way to achieve them. I try to take every opportunity to explore the new challenges that life presents. I am highly motivated and try to take pride in everything that I do. Someday, I hope to have a career that will allow me to continue to learn and grow as a human being, while excelling in a job that I love. I feel blessed that each day I have the opportunity to live, to learn and to make my mark on the world. Under the guidance of Dr. Frank Coro, I have had the opportunity to work with other students in the study of moth communication. Our group is working on the acoustic communication between members of the South Florida moth species, Syntomeida epilais. Our research is focused on sound emissions and how this species uses acoustic communication during mating behavior. We are studying the effect of temperature on the different acoustic patterns produced by this species, the duration of the modulation cycle, and the silences between modulation cycles. In addition, we are studying the mating behavior of this species and the responses of S. epilais females to members of other species of insects and bats.
Degree pursued at Miami Dade College • A.A. pathway to a major in chemistry Achievements/Research • Studies acoustic communication between members of the South Florida moth species, Syntomeida epilais • Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) meeting presenter • Florida Entomological Society (FES) meeting presenter
The Nucleus
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