Mariana Kendall, ENVB ’20, is studying the effects of the removal of invasive water hyacinth with the use of the herbicide 2,4-D on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities that live on the plant root system. She became interested in aquatic macroinvertebrates after taking Dr. Aimée Thomas’s Intro to Environmental Science class her freshman year and began her research her sophomore year. By studying the effects of the removal of the hyacinth, she hopes to provide insight on potential positives of the invasive plant, such as serving as a novel habitat for aquatic macroinvertebrates.

She also has her open water diver certification and serves as the student representative for the environmental science program. On campus, she is a member of Theta Phi Alpha sorority, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and volunteers with Late Nights at Loyola. She serves as a mentor for the Loyola FaithActs Institute and has served as the Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment.