Seth McCullough

Seth McCullough McNair Photo

Seth McCullough graduated from Eastern Washington University with a double major in Environmental Science and Biology. Growing up in Tennessee, he spent a lot of time in the woods, which sparked his interest in the outdoors and in learning how ecological communities influence one another. Scuba diving further focused his interests on marine life and restoration. He worked on coral restoration in Bonaire and conducted fish surveys for REEF’s volunteer fish survey project. He is interested in restoration ecology and how climate change is affecting relationships within ecologic communities. He is an assistant in Dr. Bastow’s lab working on EWU’s prairie restoration project. His 2021 research made comparisons between soil abiotic properties and the soil food-webs within Palouse prairie remnants and EWU’s prairie restoration site, and to investigate how biochar amendments are impacting the soil food-web at EWU’s restoration site. He presented this research at the EWU McNair Summer Symposium and the 2022 Murdock College Science Research Conference. He hopes that one day his research will contribute to the fight against climate change and influence policy makers.

Seth was accepted with funding by the Master of Professional Science program at the University of Miami in the Marine Conservation track at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as well as accepted by the Master of Science in Biology program at James Madison University with full funding as a teaching assistant. Seth began attending James Madison University starting in the Fall of 2022.


2021 EWU Faculty Research Mentors: Dr. Justin Bastow

Research Title: Effect of Biochar Soil Amendments on Soil Food Webs in Palouse Prairie Restoration 

Presentation Poster

Abstract: Palouse prairie once covered 16,000 km2 of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, but less than 1% of the original vegetation remains because of conversion to agriculture. Due to this change the remaining Palouse prairie is highly fragmented. Eastern Washington University is planning to restore 130-acres of farmland back to native Palouse prairie. A 15-acre pilot site is being developed to test the effectiveness of several different restoration techniques. The goals of this project were to make comparisons between soil abiotic properties and the soil food-webs within Palouse prairie remnants and EWU’s prairie restoration site, and to investigate how biochar amendments are impacting the soil food-web at EWU’s restoration site. Soil food-webs play a major role in regulating carbon and nutrient cycling within the soils, and they are a large component of terrestrial ecosystems. Field sampling methods included collecting soil from three Palouse prairie remnants and EWU’s prairie restoration site, within 4 days of each other, during June and July. Nematodes were used as biological indicators of the soil food-web in this study. Nematodes are great indicators of soil food-web conditions because nematodes are found in all the major channels of the soil food-web and multiple trophic levels. Nematodes were sorted by functional group to get an idea of the functional diversity in the soil food-web among the sites. EWU’s restoration site is significantly different in terms of nematode abundance and some abiotic soil properties including pH and moisture retention. Nematode abundance and pH increased significantly at the EWU site with the addition of biochar, both increasing to conditions similar to what is found at the prairie remnant sites. Results from this research can be used by EWU to monitor the progress of the restoration and can help in future decision making surrounding the project.


EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Accepted to Master of Science Program at James Madison University

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Accepted to Master of Science Program at James Madison University

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough! Seth has been accepted with funding and a teaching assistantship to the Master of Science in Biology program at James Madison University College of Science and Mathematics. In this two year program, students are provided a rigorous experience in research and thesis writing. Seth is double majoring in … Read more
Seth McCullough Presents at Murdock Conference

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Presents at Murdock College Science Research Conference

  In 2021, EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough presented at the Murdock College Science Research Conference. The conference focuses on sharing and advancing new knowledge in the natural sciences created or discovered through collaborative faculty-student research, and attendance is by invitation.   We asked Seth a few questions about his experience at the Murdock Conference to … Read more
Seth McCullough, accepted at University of Miami

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Accepted to Masters Program at University of Miami

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough! Seth has been accepted with funding by the Master of Professional Science program at the University of Miami in the Marine Conservation track at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Seth is double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology. His research interests include coastal marine ecosystems, restoration ecology, and how climate change … Read more
Seth McCullough Completes Summer Research Internship

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Completes Summer Research Internship

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough worked with Dr. Justin Bastow in his Summer Research Internship focused on The Effect of Biochar Soil Amendments on Soil Food Webs in Palouse Prairie Restoration. The internship prepared him for graduate school by providing field researcher experience, wet lab skills, and communication skills, all of which are necessary for … Read more
12 McNair Scholars Present at EWU’s 2021 CSTEM and McNair Spring Research Symposium

12 EWU McNair Scholars Present at EWU Virtual Symposium

In June 2021, EWU held the CSTEM and McNair Spring Research Symposium. This online event offered a chance for McNair scholars to present their research, as well as attend the Social Justice in Research Panel of EWU McNair alumni now working in academics and education.  The mission of the federally-funded TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement … Read more
Seth has been awarded the Cheney Environmental Association Scholarship.

EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough Awarded Cheney Environmental Association Scholarship

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Seth McCullough! Seth has been awarded the Cheney Environmental Association Scholarship. The scholarship benefits Environmental Studies majors, with selection based on a combination of scholarship, merit, and financial need.   Seth is pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Biology. He is a research assistant in Dr. Justin Bastow‘s lab … Read more

Welcome The EWU McNair 2020-2021 Cohort

New Scholars! The EWU McNair Scholars Program is excited to welcome our new 2020-2021 cohort of McNair scholars! Operating in a cohort model, these scholars will make connections while acquiring the knowledge, skills, and capacities necessary to successfully navigate the diligence of doctoral studies through immersion in mentored research experiences and scholarly activities.   This … Read more

Seth McCullough Selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and Awarded Summer Research Internship

Congratulations Eastern Washington University student Seth McCullough! Seth has been selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and awarded a summer research internship. McNair Scholars must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are first generation college students and low-income and/or underrepresented students, and are selected for their promise as scholars and commitment to attaining a … Read more