Senior Research

Frances Feay ’25 has combined their love of biology with a passion for wool and a dedication to animal welfare in their capstone project. Working closely with Dr. Benavides, Frances investigated the potential effects of striping patterns painted onto sheep at the Warren Wilson Farm to deter flies, inspired by a 2019 study on similar patterns in cows.

The project, which spans over two years, became a unique way for Frances to engage with their academic and extracurricular interests, merging their passion for biology with a deep connection to the Warren Wilson Farm. “It’s encompassing of my cross-campus loves at Wilson,” they said.

Randy Bowman ’25, a Biology major, laid the foundation for future research into the lateral line system of darters—small freshwater fish native to North America. Their capstone focused on building a full dataset of lateral line averages, which can now be used by other students to explore ecological patterns and evolutionary history.

Randy worked closely with Dr. Patrick Ciccotto, whose enthusiasm and mentorship shaped the experience.

Sophie Moeckel’s senior capstone, Fiddlehead Farm School, is the perfect synthesis of her passions for sustainable agriculture, traditional crafts, music, and environmental education. Rooted in her upbringing on a family farm and inspired by her time at Warren Wilson College, Sophie designed a two-week farm-based summer camp program for 9 to 14-year-olds. Guided by Waldorf-based philosophies, the program teaches skills like sustainable agriculture, local craft traditions, music, dance, and self-sufficiency.

Guided by mentor Mallory McDuff and inspired by her experiences with WWC’s fiber arts and farm crews, the traditional music program, and the environmental studies department, Sophie hopes to implement Fiddlehead Farm School after graduation—possibly expanding it into a folkschool model in the future.

Ari Ypema’s senior capstone, Survey of Free-roaming Cats at Warren Wilson College, combines a passion for animal welfare and environmental conservation to address an often-overlooked issue: community cats. Using wildlife cameras, Ari conducted a campus-wide survey to better understand the presence and behavior of free-roaming cats at WWC—an area where research is still limited.

Guided by advisor Liesl Erb, Ari overcame challenges and honed skills that will open doors to future career opportunities. Their dedication exemplifies the hands-on, purpose-driven education that defines Warren Wilson College.

Cecilia Spann’s senior capstone, Breeding System of a Native Southern Appalachian Woodland Perennial (Clintonia umbellulata), is a testament to her love of hands-on research and fieldwork. Collaborating with Dr. Amy Boyd, Cecilia explored how this native plant reproduces—using hand-pollination trials to test whether it requires outcrossing or can self-pollinate. Her research contributes to the scientific understanding of a species with no published data on its breeding system.

From intensive fieldwork to close mentorship, Cecilia’s capstone highlights the power of curiosity, dedication, and faculty support at Warren Wilson College.

For their NSURS senior capstone, Nadia Keller dove into the fascinating world of American chestnuts, focusing on their resilience to Phytophthora and the potential role of fungicides in restoration efforts. Partnering with the American Chestnut Foundation and Clemson University, Nadia spent months planting and monitoring seedlings in Warren Wilson College’s orchard, contributing to the ongoing fight to bring this iconic tree species back to our forests.

With guidance from Dr. Eric Griffin and support from leading experts, Nadia’s capstone showcases the collaborative, hands-on learning that defines a WWC education.

Emza Shackelford-Witten’s senior capstone, An Investigation of Common Mycorrhizal Networks in Two Forest Communities, delved into the fascinating “wood wide web” of underground fungal networks that support forest ecosystems. Building on prior research and inspired by renowned ecologist Suzanne Simard, Emza explored the role of mycorrhizal fungi in seedling establishment and forest regeneration.

Her findings, which highlighted the importance of mutualist fungi like Cenococcum geophilum and the resilience of fungal communities, have implications for forest restoration following environmental events like Hurricane Helene. Emza’s work underscores how essential mycorrhizal fungi are to plant growth and resource acquisition, offering insights into sustainable forest management.

Henry Berta, an Environmental Science major, was part of a student-faculty research team investigating how Hurricane Helene may have facilitated the spread of microplastics—and how those plastics could be affecting carbon sequestration in forest soils and tree roots. He worked closely with professors Eric Griffin and Yuemei Zhang on this project.

Unlike studies that add microplastics artificially, this project focused on measuring uptake in the roots of storm-felled trees.

The work earned Henry a competitive NCICU Undergraduate Research Grant. After graduation, Henry will intern at a Waldorf/Farm school, gaining hands-on experience in land stewardship and education.

Tabitha McBrayer, a Biology major and Music minor, helped build a genetic family tree for a newly discovered tardigrade species found right here on campus — Milnesium warrenwilsonensis.

Working with Professors Paul Bartels, Alisa Hove, and Patrick Ciccotto, Tabitha developed a barcoding method to place the tiny creature in its rightful spot on the phylogenetic tree.

After graduation, she hopes to pursue a future in conservation genetics.

Kai DeLeon is an Environmental Studies major with a concentration in Ecological Forestry and a History minor whose capstone was rooted—literally—in his hands-on work on Warren Wilson’s Landscape Crew.

Kai’s project–Tree Diversity and Soil Carbon Cycling in a Maryland Hardwood Forest Restoration Experiment–was inspired by questions that came up while mulching. “I came up with the idea of this project through thinking about how different types of leaf mulch affect the soil,” he said. “The questions spiraled into larger ideas of forest soil carbon dynamics.”

Harvest Browder’s senior capstone, Discourse on Death: Exploring End-of-Life Practices, dives into one of life’s most profound topics—our relationship with death and dying. Through internships at Bear Mountain Health & Rehabilitation and the Center for Conscious Living & Dying, Harvest explored current and potential end-of-life care practices, gaining invaluable insights into societal perceptions and personal growth.

Guided by Dr. Bob Swoap, a mentor and advisor who provided support and encouragement throughout the journey, Harvest’s work exemplifies the intersection of academic learning, community engagement, and personal growth that defines a Warren Wilson College education.

Issy Hyde’s senior capstone, The Balancing Act: Burnout, Academic Anxiety, and Coping Strategies in Undergraduate Students, delves into the challenges of mental health in higher education. Drawing from her personal experiences and a desire to advocate for student well-being, Isabella combined research, quantitative analysis, and lived experience to shed light on the impact of burnout and anxiety on undergraduates.

Working closely with Dr. Jennifer Mozolic and Dr. Robert Swoap, Isabella crafted a comprehensive thesis and conducted her research with incredible dedication. Her hard work culminated in an invitation to present at the 2025 Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) conference, one of the largest psychological organizations in the United States—a recognition that made her Warren Wilson journey all the more meaningful.

Willa Ayres’ senior capstone, Community Song for the Processing of Grief, is a heartfelt exploration of the healing power of music. Drawing from their lifelong love of singing and insights gained in the course Music as Medicine, Willa’s capstone highlights how song fosters emotional connection, builds community, and supports healing.

Their work also drew inspiration from time spent at the Center for Conscious Living and Dying, where the death-positive approach provided a revolutionary space for processing grief collectively.

Samuel Pike, a Sociology/Anthropology major with minors in Data Science and Art, explored how the Warren Wilson community experienced Hurricane Helene in his capstone project, Mapping Meaning in Hurricane Helene.

He interviewed 20 students, faculty, and staff, collecting stories and photos that he compiled into an interactive map reflecting themes of mutual aid and connection.

After graduation, Samuel will pursue a master’s in Redesigning the Post-Industrial Society through an Erasmus program, beginning in Germany and continuing across Europe.

Michaela Phelan has spent nearly a decade chasing whitewater—and the sense of focus and presence that comes with it. A Psychology and Neuroscience major, she’s also a sponsored kayaker and flow artist whose senior capstone, Chasing Calm in Chaos: Flow State, Peak Performance, and Well-being in Extreme Athletes, explores how flow connects to performance, neurodivergence, and mental health in high-risk sports.

The project is grounded in both academic research and lived experience. Michaela designed a study that draws from years of paddling, coaching, and conversations within the whitewater community—fueled by her own curiosity about what’s happening in the brain during moments of peak performance.

Ezra Parashar combined Sociology and Anthropology to dive into a unique subculture for his capstone project: the Tour of Destruction, a full-contact racing and demolition series that travels through the Southeast. His ethnography, titled “Redneck Racing: Danger, Destruction, and Automotive Bricolage in the Tour of Destruction,” explores how redneck identities are performed and celebrated through automotive ingenuity and rituals of danger.

“It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before,” he said, reflecting on his first event experience. “I believe in the importance of people from different cultural backgrounds and political beliefs approaching each other from a place of genuine curiosity and compassion.”

Guided by faculty advisors Ben Feinberg and Siti Kusujiarti, Ezra’s work delves into the creative recycling of scrap cars and the sense of community among participants. They encouraged Ezra to push beyond his comfort zone and explore subcultures outside his experience, a challenge that led him to the Tour of Destruction.