Name: Eileen Reeves
Hometown: East Lansing, MI
Graduation Year: 2019
Dorm: Ryan Hall
What is your major and why did you choose it?
Well, I wanted to be a botany major, but we don’t have that, so I chose to be an environmental science major to give me a broad background but still allow me to work with plants. Â This turned out to be a good decision because I love studying entomology (the study of bugs)!
What’s the coolest class you’ve taken at Notre Dame?
Entomology, for sure.  It’s a subject I am really interested in and I got to make an insect collection.  My friends called me “Pokemon GO in real life” as I went about catching crickets.
Do you do any environmental research on campus?
I am doing research in Dr. Hellenthal’s entomology lab, where I am organizing and sorting the bee collection from the Museum of Biodiversity in Jordan. A couple of weeks ago, I was looking at a bumblebee and found something on its back.  I thought it was just a mite, but my prof thought it was a beetle, which is weird because beetles (usually) have no place on the backs of bees.  I’ve taken a dozen pictures of this thing and now I’m combing through beetle books and connecting with online entomology communities in the attempt to solve the mystery of what it is!
What activities are you involved in on campus?
In the fall, I do marching band and I just finished with hockey band and became a huge hockey fan as a result! I also play the flute for my hall at mass, and I’m on the Irish Dance team.  I also am involved in planning the South Bend satellite March for Science.  It’s on April 22nd, Earth Day, to raise awareness for the necessity of science in everyday life and the role of government in science.  Check out our Facebook event!Â
How do you feel about the future of science?
As a person hoping to get a job in science in a few years, I’m terrified. I am also extremely concerned about the lack of environmental regulations and outright denial of climate change. My dream is to work for the Natural Parks Service because I think their work is really important in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the United States.  Mostly, I want to do research and spend my time outdoors, so I am really hoping that they retain their funding and I am able to contribute to the great work they do. Â
What’s your favorite national park?
I don’t actually have a favorite national park, despite visiting a dozen.  My favorite part of nature run by the National Parks Service is actually a National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Favorite Book? The Night Circus
Favorite Color? Green
Favorite Dining Hall Food?  Stir fry, because it’s easy to make it vegetarian.
Coffee or Tea? Â Coffee. I went to Starbucks for the first time today.
Favorite Comic Book Hero? Â Daredevil. Â
Favorite Movie? Lord of the Rings. The entire trilogy.
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Images 1, 2 (author image), 3 (author image)