- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Fourth-year student Yolanda Franklin of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology won second place for her oral undergraduate research on "Behavioral Response to Catnip in Juvenile Domestic Cats" at the 2014 national conference of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), held recently in Birmingham, Ala.
Franklin presented results of her research that she conducted in the School of Veterinary Medicine, combining her love for plants and animals. Judges scored her work on mechanics, introduction, methods, results and conclusions.
Her research involved Nepeta cataria of the Lamiacae family and its intoxicating effects on felines. "We hypothesized that kittens will display 'cheek rub/head roll' behavior with repeated catnip exposure, she said.
Franklin found that the sensitivity to catnip is present in kittens less than 12 months old, and that catnip physiological response is inherently genetically linked. "Further research needs to be conducted on the interrupted catnip response during pregnancy," she said.
Franklin is a fourth-year student in the animal biology program, hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. For their assistance and support, she credited feline geneticist Leslie Lyons and the Lyons Den laboratory, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; the UC Davis chapter of Multiculturalism in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, an affiliate of MANRRS; and faculty advisor Annie King, professor in the Department of Animal Science.
Franklin serves as vice president of the UC Davis of MANRRS. Among her other academic and professional activities:
- Application coordinator of Pre-Vet Students Supporting Diversity, 2013-2014
- Intern, School of Medicine-Surgical Research, 2012-2013
- Member, Chancellor's Blue Ribbon Committee, 2012-2013
- Member, Black Student Union, 2013-present
- Member, Vet Aide Club, 2012-present
- Member, Guardian Scholars Program, 2012-present
- Member, Student Aggie Alumni, 2012-present
- Licensed veterinary technician, State of Michigan (active since 1986)
"One important focus for members is active participation in recruitment of a diverse student population for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the campus," said King. "This includes tabling events during the academic year, discussions of recruitment efforts with the Offices of Admissions and the Registrar as well as oral presentations during summer advising."
The regional clusters, and especially the national MANRRS conferences, provide personal and professional developments for members of the UC Davis chapter, King noted. More than 900 students, plus advisors and industry/governmental agencies, participated in the national conference. Student attendees at the national conferences gain experience in interview techniques, networking, professionalism, public speaking (presentations in a panel setting, impromptu and prepared), oral/poster presentations of original research and properly presenting themselves to various representatives in a career fair.
UC Davis student Gaby Pedroza of Animal Science, was among the list of the national conference winners. Pedroza won second place for public speaking.
Related Links:
Judging of Research