provided assistance in the field and much-needed distractions during the final few months
of the thesis process. My father, John, also managed to call and cheer me up at just the
right moments and to ask me science questions that reminded me why I started the thesis
in the first place. My stepfather Jim always had supportive words. And when my mother
Annette unknowingly let me raise my first ant colony in my bedroom on a stash of hidden
Halloween candy, she probably could not have guessed that one day I would be studying
ants full time. I appreciate her interest in my work and her warm and kind words that
urged me on so many times when I doubted myself.
My friends in Houston were also incredibly supportive. The Panchang family
provided me a home away from home, though sadly I was too busy to go there as often as
I would have liked. All of my friends were always genuinely curious about my ant
battles; I ended up talking about ants at many get-togethers, and yet they never seemed to
grow tired of it. Towards the end of the process, their endless supply of hugs, their
understanding when I had to turn down nearly all of their invitations, and their collective
chorus of “you can do it” gave me the boost I needed.
Last but not least, I acknowledge the tireless support of my fiancé, Scott
Chamberlain. He was an invaluable resource on all ant-related questions, and he always
found time to help me, even during his own very busy field season. More importantly, he
was never short on kind words, and he brought me back from the edge of a breakdown on
many occasions. He also did everything in his power to minimize my burdens outside of
work during the last couple of months by doing laundry, planning meals, and keeping the
house clean. I truly could not have done this thesis without him, and I want him to know
that I appreciate all that he did to keep me happy, healthy, and focused on my thesis.
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