This week our senior science student Maddy Vasquez is in the spotlight. Maddy is graduating this Spring with her Biology bachelor’s degree with a minor in Chemistry and Natural Resource Management!

Maddy is originally from Omaha and joined Bellevue University four years ago to study Biology and play for the BU Bruins soccer team. She is currently completing her senior thesis with research on how corporate partnerships can enhance conservation efforts!

In 2018 OPPD began converting 325 acres of its property into natural pollinator habitats to foster biodiversity, prevent erosion, and beautify areas surrounding substations. Maddy helped to develop a new structured plant sampling with drones to minimize time spent on field surveys. The results of this study demonstrate how drones can be used to more efficiently (and painlessly!) to assess plant biodiversity. These results provide OPPD with a strategy to continue to enhance their biodiversity efforts through their Prairies in Progress program.

Maddy recently presented her results at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting on April 19 in Lincoln.

Besides her thesis project, Maddy also served as a student representative on the Board of Directors for Green Bellevue. In addition to her academic efforts, Maddy also has had 4 successful years playing for the BU Women’s soccer team! She was also recently selected to the student commencement speaker at the spring graduation on June 1st, 2024.

Maddy is continuing her academic efforts in conservation by pursuing a Masters degree in Natural Resource Management from UNL! We’re so proud of you Maddy!