MaKayla Friend

· Performed Daubenmire vegetation assessments, soil sampling and analysis, site characterization, and other environmental assessments at a tallgrass prairie ecological site.

· Engaged in laboratory work including: soil sampling pre-PCR extractions, spectrometry sample preparation, autoclaving, microscopy, and gravimetric analysis.

· Worked with professors, graduate students, and other undergraduate students to research soil ecology, organic matter cycling, and endangered species conservation.

· Produced a peer-reviewed scientific experiment to present at Niblack Scholar's Day in Fall 2026

• Conducted a greenhouse research experiment from project conception to scientific publication
• Developed new methodologies and approaches for circular farming and sustainable soil ammendments
• Presented research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium and Sustainable Energy and Biobased Products Symposium at Oklahoma State University
• Collaborated with agricultural producers, extension staff, multiple faculty members, and graduate students to successfully produce peer-review quality research

• Collaborated on a research proposal and presented it for use in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department at Oklahoma State University.

· Worked under professors, doctoral students, and other graduate students to research plant-mycorrhizal interactions as an employee of Oklahoma State University

· Produced a peer-reviewed scientific case study to present at an international science conference (May 2023).