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Victory Coffey

Profile

  • Time Zone
    Central

  • Organization
    University of Winnipeg

  • Employment Status
    University / College Staff

  • Role
    Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  • Research Interests (300 words)
    I am very interested in how plant and soil communities change over time in places where humans have disturbed an area. For example, right now I am working in an area where people planted trees on top of a beautiful prairie. This has caused most of the prairie plants to disappear along with many animals. I want to look at what happens when the trees die and are removed from the area. Will the prairie plants come back? Will the trees have changed the soil? Will there be differences in the soil communities (microbes) compared to a natural prairie?

  • Profile Question 1
    Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):
    In high school science seemed very very overwhelming. There were so many things that were covered in such a short period of time that it was hard to get used to any one subject. This made it especially difficult to see myself doing science in the future. However, I had teachers who clearly loved what they did and that made me want to keep going so that maybe I could also find something in science that I was passionate about. The one thing that I would say to current high school students is that science only gets better as you go on. Soon you will get to explore what YOU want and take classes that only YOU want. At the same time, as your interests begin to grow for a subject that subject also starts to become more natural and fun to take part in.

  • Profile Question 2
    Can you share a funny/interesting lab or field story?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):
    I have spent most of my university life in the lab since I did my undergrad in the Biochemistry program. However, this summer I got to experience my first field season doing my own project which was FANTASTIC! But, keeping in mind that this was my first season you can be sure that I had my fair share of hilarious mistakes and adventures. One of my favourite moments this summer was when I had to bring my quadrat (BIG metal square) through this old dead forest so that I could put it down and count plants in random spots. Let's just say that metal squares are not meant for thick forests. I got caught on almost every single branch, shrub, dead tree and stinging nettle plant (OUCH!). It was pretty funny to see other people watching and wondering what in the world we were doing.

  • Profile Question 3
    Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):
    If I had to give students one piece of advice it would be to always keep an open mind and to explore all of your options. You never know what kind of opportunities you might miss out on or people you may meet if you don't explore. I've met a lot of people in university who have passed up many cool experiences to follow their one and only goal only to end up changing their minds in the end. That is another thing, it is ALWAYS okay to change your mind and it is never too late to try something new. As long as you are doing what you truly enjoy you will not go wrong!

  • Availability
    I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  • Preferred Investigation Themes
    The Wonder of Seeds (seed germination and growth)
    The Power of Sunlight (photosynthesis and respiration)
    What about Pollen? (pollen and pollination)
    Celery Challenge (plant anatomy, osmosis and diffusion)
    Foundations of Genetics (traits, variation and environment in rapidly cycling Brassica)
    Genetics in Arabidopsis (investigation with a model species to track transmission of traits)
    C-Fern in the Open (sexual reproduction, alternation of generations)
    Agronomy Feeds the World (where does food come from?)
    Plants Get Sick, Too!

  • Challenge, ELL, Honors
    Academically Challenged
    ELL - English language learners
    Honors or AP - Advanced Placement

  • Videoconference Ability
    Yes

  • Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?
    5

Recent Posts

hhsdesaispring2022 project 5 Victory Coffey

Thank you team! It was a pleasure working with you. All the best in your future investigations! 

hhsdesaispring2022 project 5 Victory Coffey

Hi Team! Once again, your observations are fantastic! This is really turning into quite the experiment and it sounds like you're seeing some very different results. I'm glad you were able to measure the pH and I'm surprised some of the…

more
hhsdesaispring2022 project 5 Victory Coffey

Hi Catalina and team! Thank you for the fantastic updates! It sounds like everyone has put some great effort and thought into the design of this experiment. I really like your answers and it helps me understand more about the goals of your…

more

Skills & Endorsements

  • Encouraging
    Eleanore RitterMichelle R. Jackson
  • Knowledgeable
    Eleanore RitterMichelle R. Jackson
  • Responsive
    Eleanore RitterMichelle R. Jackson
  • Challenges Student Thinking
    Eleanore Ritter
  • Experienced
    Eleanore Ritter

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NSF_Logo.jpg This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #2010556 and #1502892. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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