Vol. 15 No. 1 (2020)

Dear Reader,

Throughout our existence, the McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal has operated with the central purpose of encouraging and showcasing scientific research at the undergraduate level. Now in our fifteenth year, we would like to celebrate not only our continued pursuit of that purpose but also the continued excellence in the work that we receive.

Each year, when we are on the cusp of bringing a new issue to publication, we are reminded of the progress that undergraduate researchers have made from the past to the present. This year, we were also inspired to look to the future. With the continued improvement in the quality of work that we receive each year, we are excited for what our authors will achieve as they continue in their careers into graduate studies or industry. We are equally excited to see the undergraduate work that we will receive for the next year and onwards.

We would like to present the 2019-2020 issue of the McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal. This issue contains eleven research and review articles written by undergraduate students working in diverse scientific fields. The passion and effort that our authors put into their work is evident to us from the beginning. ort that our authors put into their work is evident to us from the beginning. We hope that we were able to preserve that passion in the pages of our journal for all to experience.

On behalf of our entire editorial board, thank you.

Howard Li & Jacqueline Yao
Editors-in-Chief

On the Cover
Protected from harmful human activities, nature reserves remain critical for research opportunities and conservation e!orts. On page 12, Burnett et al. examine the determinants of plant abundance and diversity in the Gault Nature Reserve.
The cover illustrates the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a keystone species whose population surge in recent years has greatly impacted plant biodiversity.