
“Energetic” and “passionate” aptly describe Ohio Northern University honors student Abigail “Abby” Buzdon.
A senior majoring in environmental and field biology, Abby has spent her college years enthusiastically chasing questions and uncovering answers. She joined ONU’s Honors Program specifically to take on extra academic assignments to deepen her knowledge of the natural world.
From analyzing methane sulfonic acid in northwest Ohio rainwater to studying the endangered Plains Garter Snake, she’s assisted four ONU professors with wide-ranging research projects. She designed and planted a pollinator garden at ONU’s Metzger Nature Center, supporting biodiversity. And, she leads several student science organizations, and has served as an Orientation Leader (OL).
Abby spent two summers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Trout Lake Field Station, first as an intern and then receiving a prestigious Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). There, she began a research project she’s now continuing as her senior capstone and honors capstone: mapping life-cycle changes in rock bass, a native panfish species.
“I was given access to a really expansive data set from the Long Term Ecological Research Network,” she said. “Most of my computer storage is now pictures of fish scales!”
Her many hands-on experiences—including ONU’s immersive Field Semester—have prepared her for the next steps. Her goal? To become an ichthyologist and university professor, conducting research to preserve and protect fish species.
The thrill of new knowledge is what drives her, she said.
“When doing research, there’s a moment in time where you’re the only person in the world who knows something, and that’s a feeling like no other,” she said.
Abby believes she couldn’t have found a better university to grow as a scholar.
“The professors at ONU are super invested in your future,” she said. “They want you to get involved and try different things—and if they can make it happen for you, they will.”