ASU student builds momentum in urban ecology research

By jotting down her email at a tabling event, Sienna Baker was introduced to the opportunity to contribute to ecological research with real impact. 

Baker, a sophomore undergraduate student at the School of Sustainability and the School of Life Sciences, first learned about the Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) program through the annual Global Futures Opportunity Fair. After signing up for their newsletter and seeing an email about Elizaveta Litvak’s research, Baker reached out to participate in any way she could. 

CAP LTER, a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, actively advances research and education on the urban ecology and socio-ecological systems in central Arizona through various programs, collaborations and publications. 

Litvak is a research professor in the School of Sustainability whose research contributes to this mission by analyzing residential irrigation practices in the Phoenix metropolitan area. This analysis reveals how the interactions among plants, water, heat and human decisions shape residential environments, addressing pressing challenges in water conservation and heat mitigation. Local irrigation practices include residential flood irrigation — a cultural phenomenon rooted in the history of the region.

“This work acted as a pilot field campaign to begin addressing our questions, with future plans to do more measurements across different seasons to help us better understand how flood irrigation practices and environmental responses vary throughout the year in Phoenix,” explained Baker.

Baker’s role as an undergraduate researcher was possible through the School of Sustainability's Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience program (SURE), where students are connected to research opportunities with faculty. This program covers various sustainability challenges while enhancing the skills, knowledge and competitiveness of students as they progress through their sustainability careers.

As a second-year student, Baker was at first unsure about her abilities to contribute the necessary skills and mechanics needed for Litvak’s research. As she worked alongside peers at ASU and CAP LTER, Baker’s initial perspective shifted. 

“One of my biggest takeaways from this research is the importance of reaching out to people whose work interests you and expressing your passion to learn,” said Baker. “Each new opportunity continues to strengthen these skills and build my confidence as I prepare for my future career.”

As part of her research with Litvak, Baker was able to present her team's research poster earlier this year at the 28th annual CAP LTER All Scientist Meeting Poster Symposium. The community of students, faculty and partners was an impactful experience for Baker as a young researcher. 

While reflecting on the symposium experience, Baker said, “That experience shifted my perspective, helping me see research not as separate projects, but pieces of a collaborative effort, an approach that reflects the CAP LTER mission.”

“It is such a privilege to mentor Sienna and to see how she is being shaped as a professional while doing this valuable scientific research,” explained Litvak. “I think her example will be really inspiring to other students. Just like it is never too late to start following your passion, it is also never too early.”

Litvak has continued to provide guidance and support for Baker by advising her of additional undergraduate research opportunities to showcase their work. Baker recently built upon her first poster presentation to display findings focused on evapotranspiration and microclimate in turfgrass irrigation throughout Phoenix.

This expanded research was presented at the Urban Climate Research Center annual poster event co-hosted by the ASU School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. Baker’s research was awarded second place in the undergraduate research category. 

As she has continued to build her research background, Baker is excited to see the continuation of their research and the future opportunities that will become available. 

“My ultimate goal throughout my life is to contribute to building a strong and beneficial relationship between people and the natural environment. As cities continue to grow, it is especially important to understand our impact on local ecosystems and the planet as a whole.”