A Summer of Internships and Research Projects for the 2026 Butler and Franzen Fellows

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Five University of Dubuque students are in the midst of hands-on summer internship opportunities at the UD's Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Research Center as well as summer research projects thanks to two fellowship programs.

The John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship and Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship were established in 2018 and 2025, respectively. Fellows have committed to 400 hours of work over a 10-week period this summer. They each received a stipend of $5,500 with an additional $600 for research-associated supplies and/or travel costs. Fellows will present the results of their research or internship during the following academic year at a local, regional, or national conference.

"These fellowships offer students amazing experiences in their field of study. With the Butler Fellowship, the opportunities are more project based instead of research based, which opens up more opportunities for students studying the humanities. The Franzen Fellowship allows a student to do a deep dive in knowing local species and their taxonomy," said David Koch, PhD, director of the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship and Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship and associate professor of environmental science.

2026 Butler Fellows:

Estella Brown, a senior liberal studies major from Dubuque, Iowa

Project: Wall of Character in the Sciences

Advisor: Adam Kleinschmit, PhD, professor of biology

Quote: "I was drawn to this research project because I wanted to strengthen my academic research skills while also exploring what it means to develop a virtuous character. I'm particularly interested in understanding the challenges and constraints involved in cultivating good character and how influential scientists have embodied these principles. I hope this project will grow my research skills and expand my understanding of character development in academic contexts."

Jaquelyn Hochrein, a junior environmental science major from Dubuque, Iowa

Project: Land Management Intern at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Advisors: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies, and Jessicca Dix (C'24), conservation technician at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Quote: "I was drawn to this internship to continue my education in native flora and fauna. I am excited to start my first research opportunity to prepare me for my upcoming research next year. I love to make a difference, and I am looking forward to learning about and contributing to the necessary conservation practices that Iowa is in need of!"

Dazza Mitchell, a sophomore biology major from Regina, Saskatchewan

Project: Land Management Intern at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Advisors: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies, and Jessicca Dix (C'24), conservation technician at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Quote: "I was drawn to this internship opportunity by its success and credibility. Having seen some of the projects and success of several previous fellows, I knew it would be a great chance to learn valuable skills. It also helped that it was with UD staff and at a familiar environment. The stipend is also a fantastic contributor that means I do not need to get another summer job on top of completing my fellowship. At the end of the day, as a freshmen (when selected for the fellowship), these kinds of opportunities are rarely available, so being able to take a step like this early on in my college career is so valuable to me and to my future. I look forward to learning a lot about the local flora and fauna and hope to gain an insight into how a diverse ecosystem functions at Wolter Woods and Prairies."

Taryn Richey, a senior environmental science major from Brentwood, California

Project: Operationalyzing Microclimatic Monitoring and Dissemination of Weather Data at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Advisor: Kaycie Lawson, PhD, assistant professor of environmental science

Quote: "I was drawn to this research project for the opportunity to establish reliable, continuous environmental monitoring at the University of Dubuque's Wolter Woods and Prairies. Through analyzing regional microclimate variability, I aim to learn more about our local climate and weather trends, while also building a foundational dataset and a public-facing dashboard that will support and enhance future research efforts at this site."

2026 Franzen Fellow:

Brandon Rossetti, a senior biology and environmental science double major from Chateauguay, Quebec

Project: Biodiversity Assessment Intern at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Advisors: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies, and Jessicca Dix (C/24), conservation technician at Wolter Woods and Prairies

Quote: "I have a passion for the outdoors and wildlife. With the biodiversity internship, I get to explore them. I am hoping to gain hands-on experience in identification, biological surveys, and effective land management strategies. The skills I learn will directly translate towards my intended career goals."