MSci student David Blahout on his undergraduate research placement and current MSci research project with the Sumner Lab

I joined the Sumner lab while studying for my undergraduate MSci Biodiversity and Conservation degree at UCL. I began in the lab during the summer of 2022 as an intern on the NERC DTP undergraduate research placement, exploring the differences between mass and progressive provisioning between two sand digger wasp species (genus Ammophila) with Dr Cintia Oi. My work consisted mainly of fieldwork, field experiments and data management. After this experience, I stayed at the lab to complete my master’s research project under the supervision of Prof Seirian Sumner. My current project focuses on wasp pollination syndromes and their potential significance for ecosystem services provided by wasps.