Fox Friday: Isabella Tanzi Analyzes Fish Populations in the Mianus River Gorge
Fox Friday is a series that highlights the accomplishments of students districtwide. We hope to regularly feature the incredible things our students are up to — whether they are excelling academically, athletically or are quietly impressive.
To start, we are highlighting a few students in Fox Lane High School's Science Research Program and the extraordinary projects they have been working on.
Today’s Fox Friday focuses on junior Isabella Tanzi, who has been analyzing some of the tiniest organisms in the waters of a local nature preserve and how they affect the fish there.
Can you explain your project?
I am analyzing fish populations and fish biodiversity in the Mianus River Gorge using environmental DNA (eDNA). For my methodology this summer, I met Mrs. Pirro at the Mianus River Gorge and we took water samples that contained fish eDNA. We sampled at four different sites with different water depths and vegetation abundance (plants in the water or on the banks of the river). I am now analyzing the effect water depth and vegetation had on fish populations in those areas by looking at the eDNA results.
What led you to study this topic?
Originally, I wanted to do something having to do with coral. But after I met my mentor, she told me to look into eDNA, and I instantly was very interested in it. I decided that for my first project I wanted to do something more local. I love the idea of the project being so close by because I go to the Gorge all the time, and the project really has a special place in my heart.
How did you find your mentor? What has that experience been like?
My mentor was recommended by a student who had a similar interest area that I did. I am pretty sure she was the first person I emailed when I was looking for a mentor. In a matter of hours, she responded and was super excited to work with another Science Research student. She really is an amazing person that I can go to if I ever have any questions about my project. She was one of the main people that made this project possible, and I can never thank her enough for all that she has done for me!
What did the research process look like for this project?
I had the idea for this project pretty early on and came up with it on my own. My mentor was there to tweak anything that was off or needed fixing. After my research plan was finished and I had a solid project, my next big tasks were finding my areas to sample and locating somewhere to do my eDNA analysis. I found my sample sites after going to the Gorge twice, so that wasn't a huge issue.
My biggest challenge for this project was finding an institution to do my eDNA analysis. I emailed so many different places because my mentor already told me that her institution would be way over my budget. When I finally found a place willing to help, it cost over $1200, so I kept looking. After weeks and weeks of looking, I was connected to a place that cut the price in half. It was such a relief, and the place I found has been super helpful with the whole process.
After that, I gathered all my supplies, collected my samples, and sent them off to be analyzed. I waited a good four weeks for the results, but since I have gotten them back, my mentor and I have been working on analyzing what the results are telling us. During this time, I was also pulling my research paper together.
Were you surprised by any of your findings?
I haven't gotten too far into the results yet, since decoding them is a pretty long process. But we did find a lot of microbe communities so far, which was more than what we were expecting to find.
How could your research benefit society in the long term?
I think this research will not only help me develop these skills and figure out how to use them later on, but it will help the Mianus River Gorge Preserve with their conservation efforts. When I spoke with the nonprofit, they didn't have a lot of information on fish species, so I am hoping that, with these results, I will help them conserve these fish species and learn more about them.
Did you learn anything unexpected during the process or from the course in general?
I definitely learned a lot of good skills from this course, including how to read and write a research paper. But, more importantly, I learned the skills of perseverance, communication, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm. These are the four traits that the Science Research program really focuses on.
I learned how to overcome challenges that my project presented, which made me a better student and a better individual. I learned how to take charge of my own success and that my success depended on me and me alone. I worked hard, and all that hard work paid off. I am so proud of myself, and I never would have thought that I would be in this position right now, answering questions about this very successful project that I executed.
Do you have any advice for students considering the Science Research program?
The advice that I would give anyone considering taking the class is to take it! This class is so much fun, and you can research whatever you want. You are given so much freedom with what you choose to learn about. It is by far my favorite class.
To be honest, I was on the fence about taking this class my sophomore year, but it was by far the best decision I have ever made. I have met amazing people and have become a part of this amazing family. I have also learned skills that I will take with me wherever I go.
- FLHS
- Fox Friday