Over the course of eight weeks, five undergraduate students gained valuable scientific experience, discovered more about themselves, and explored different research areas through the NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Bridge to Ph.D. Program held at Pennsylvania State University.

Guam's only native cycad, called fadang in CHamoru or Cycas micronesia in science circles, is currently endangered due to an invasive insect, Asian cycad scale, that was accidentally introduced to Guam in 2003. Once the most prolific tree in Guam forests with seeds falling to the ground and sprouting naturally, presently it is difficult to find mature seeds on the female cycad plants due to the ravages of the invasive scale.