Mike Penka arrived at Ohio State with dreams of studying marine science. The problem? Columbus is a long way from any oceans.

However, a visit to Stone Laboratory on Lake Erie changed everything.

“I visited Stone Lab my freshman year and right away, I knew I made the right choice to come to Ohio State,” Penka says.

Penka gained summers on Lake Erie through a simple conversation with one of his professors, Lauren Pintor, associate professor of aquatic ecology, by simply asking if she knew of any professors looking for undergrad researchers.

“That led to the trajectory I’ve followed for the last three years at Ohio State,” Penka says.

Penka became a researcher in Suzanne Gray’s Aquatic Physiological Ecology lab for two summers at Stone Lab, performing his own study on the effects of lake turbidity on the reactions of fish. His findings led to three conference presentations and his senior thesis.

That work led to studying wetlands conservation this past summer with Ohio State’s Bob Gates — an associate professor of wildlife ecology and management — as part of the H2Ohio program.

Penka is currently exploring opportunities to work in water quality research in Maine or studying salmon in Alaska with an eye on gaining a master’s degree for a career with a wildlife agency. 

Mike on his experience at Ohio State: “Right from the start, Stone Lab was huge in providing me opportunities and perspective. I loved every second of it. Going back each summer, I loved being on the water, doing research, and being part of that tight-knight community on the island. You’re rubbing shoulders with people from UNC, James Madison, different institutions doing research while other Ohio State students and professors are there with you doing research the whole summer. Everybody is there to learn. I learned the research process, I learned what science really is and I’ve been fortunate to take those experiences and run with them.”

His advice to Ohio State students: “Focus on personal relationships. Not just with friends and socially, obviously that’s important, but give yourself a support network. Get to know faculty and professors. I’ve been a peer leader through SENR (the School of Environment and Natural Resources), we help mentor incoming freshmen and the biggest thing I’ve always emphasized is to talk to your professors. Find people who specialize in areas you are interested in and engage with them. They’re always willing to, and hoping that, students will ask them about their field and for opportunities. They love having an opportunity to engage with students in that way. That’s something a lot of freshmen don’t realize. I didn’t even appreciate that at first, but I figured it out pretty fast.”