The Kennesaw State University (KSU) Field Station, located just two miles from the main campus, serves as a hands-on research site for graduate students across multiple disciplines. The 25-acre property provides an accessible location where students can work on projects in natural settings while benefiting from proximity to Atlanta’s professional and cultural resources.
Graduate students utilize both advanced campus laboratories and the outdoor environment of the Field Station. Adamina Bilbrey, a master’s student in Integrative Biology, is currently using the facility to study plant seeds found in soil samples from Sam Hole Bay in Effingham County, Georgia. “We collected soil cores from these areas and set up the experiment in one of the greenhouses at the Field Station, where the seeds could germinate and later be identified,” she said. After germination, Bilbrey will analyze which species are present and propose management actions to support restoration efforts at Sam Hole Bay and similar wetland sites. She noted that being near Atlanta offers unique opportunities for collaboration with groups like the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation: “Being near metro Atlanta provides unique opportunities to connect with various organizations such as the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation, […] who share similar goals,” she added.
Beyond ongoing projects, graduate students are encouraged to pursue additional research topics including apiculture, bioremediation, surveying, and civil engineering. Sydney Morton, another M.S. Integrative Biology student, conducted fieldwork at the station for her thesis on urban field mice genetics. She stated: “The KSU Field Station was a great resource to do fieldwork for my thesis work. It gave me access to a natural forested habitat where I was able to set small mammal traps and gather the data I needed. The staff was supportive and communicative which made fieldwork smooth and enjoyable.” Students at KSU use these resources for research ranging from biological controls to studies of urban wildlife.
The Field Station also acts as a space for study, mentorship, and interdisciplinary partnerships among graduate students. Sydney Morton commented on this aspect: “Collaboration is one of the best things about scientific research,” adding that she looks forward to future connections with specialists from other fields. The station’s close location allows regular involvement by students while support from KSU’s Office of Research helps turn their ideas into meaningful studies.
Those interested in learning more or visiting can fill out an inquiry form on the Field Station website.
