Environmental Internship Program - 2023 Booklet

Natalie Wong ’25
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
Certificate: Environmental Studies
FOOD SYSTEMS
AND HEALTH
PROJECT TITLE
Farm Project Field
Assistant
ORGANIZATION(S)
Rubenstein Lab,
Department of Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology,
Princeton University
LOCATION(S)
Princeton, New Jersey
MENTOR(S)
Daniel Rubenstein,
Class of 1877 Professor
of Zoology, Emeritus,
Professor of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology,
Emeritus; Gina Talt,
Project Manager, Food
Systems, Office of
Sustainability
Along with my co-interns in the Rubenstein
Lab, I investigated the effects of mutualisms
among the “three sisters” crops — corn, beans
and squash — on plant growth and health.
Indigenous groups have implemented the
practice of planting the three sisters together
for centuries, but the potential benefits of
this system for sustainable agriculture in a
climatically uncertain world have yet to be
studied robustly. On the farm, I learned how
to prepare the field using organic agriculture
techniques, planted different types of seeds and
set up experimental configurations within the
constraints of outdoor conditions. Then, I used
the software JMP to visualize trends and perform
statistical tests on the data we collected. Overall,
I found the project’s interdisciplinary nature to
be the most fascinating and rewarding aspect
and I gained knowledge about Native American
history in the Princeton area. I hope to continue
fusing scientific and humanistic research in my
independent project to explore my primary area
of interest: building a more planet- and peoplefriendly
food system.
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