Bainbridge Island resident Emily Applewhite, a member of the class of 2016 at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, is one of approximately 100 students at the college who have been selected to live and work on campus this summer pursuing independent research projects.

Applewhite is working with Professor John McCormack in the biology department. She will conduct research to study “Parameters of Hybridization between the Spotted and Collared Towhee in the Sierra Mader Occidental and Mexico City Regions of Mexico.”

University officials said such an opportunity is rarely extended to undergraduates, as most students do not participate in research at this level until graduate school.

“Occidental College has a long tradition of involving undergraduate students in meaningful research experiences,” said Scott Bogue, associate dean and director of sponsored and undergraduate research. “For 10 weeks each summer, this high-impact educational activity brings together over 100 students and 60 faculty mentors from across the college to collaborate in the generation of new knowledge.”

Appleton, a biology major and public health minor, is a rising senior at Occidental College. She is the daughter of Leah Applewhite and Tom Applewhite, and graduated from BHS in 2012.