Alaina Frias '26 | Biology major, Chemistry and Studio Art minor
The most rewarding part of my research at Saint Anselm was the opportunity to be outdoors all summer, and to answer questions about something brand new happening in the ecological world.
Alaina Frias ‘26 has dedicated her undergraduate studies to answering novel ecological questions and spending her summers in the muddy marshes of New Hampshire.
Being from Rhode Island, what made you choose Saint Anselm College?
I chose Saint Anselm because I wanted to explore an area a little further from home and wanted to attend a smaller school. With a smaller school, I knew it would be much easier to develop relationships with the faculty that could lead to research opportunities- which is something I always knew I wanted to pursue. Saint Anselm offered me exactly that – as well as a campus and location that I enjoy.
Can you tell us a bit about your undergraduate research?
I studied Fiddler crabs at Bunker Creek in Durham, N.H. and Sandy Point in Greenland, N.H. with the help of Professor Lori LaPlante. Fiddler crabs are a climate migrant moving northwards past Cape Cod in response to the warming of the Gulf of Maine. Cape Cod usually marks the northern limit of their range, so their presence in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts is new in the last few years, making it an important species to keep tabs on.
Why is researching Fiddler crabs important?
By conducting monthly populations surveys and studying fecundity (how many eggs each crab produces at once), our findings should ultimately help to predict Fiddler crab population growth in the future. They are a burrowing crab, meaning they make holes in the marshes which could have impacts on vegetation and erosion. These crabs have barely been studied in their northern range, so all the work we’ve done is answering very new questions, which is exciting!
In addition to Chemistry, you have a Studio Art minor. What type of art do you like to create and what’s your medium?
Art is something I’ve always enjoyed, but I knew I would rather pursue science as a major. I’m a big fan of painting and ceramics so I am planning to focus my minor mostly on those mediums. In my free time I really enjoy clothing design and pursue sewing as well as other textile-based mediums.
How have you been involved on campus?
I mainly pursue research outside of classes, so I’m not involved in any clubs. I’ve worked with Professor LaPlante and been part of the Honors Program since freshmen year. It is because of the Honors Program that I was able to pursue summer research.
What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
I’m someone who values being outside as much as possible and the campus is beautiful, so my favorite thing to do is enjoy the green spaces Saint Anselm offers! I spend time there by myself or with friends. In the winter, I enjoy participating in the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership’s Out Cold Program and other winter activities run through the College. I’ve been a ski instructor for roughly six years, so it’s nice to have opportunities to go skiing during the academic year.
How has Saint Anselm helped prepare you for post-graduate life?
I am very interested in going to graduate school after Saint Anselm to pursue research long-term. The studies I conducted were essentially a trial run for what I would pursue in grad school. It gave me a taste of what a future in biological research might look like.