Wendy Yates

Wendy Yates, from Saratoga Springs, Utah, always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Her desire to teach led her to the education department at UVSC, but it was a biology class that completely changed her life.

After just one class, Yates realized biology was actually where her greatest interest and passion lay. “In my biology 1010 class, Rene Van Buren was my professor,” Yates said. “I learned so much from that class and realized biology was what I wanted to do.”

From her close relationship with Professor Van Buren, Yates became involved in a project working to preserve endangered plants species in southern Utah. The project includes surveying large tracts of land in search of the scarce plants and has recently garnered national attention.“

I’ve been part of this project for five years and I’m familiar with all the species,” Yates said. “I enjoy being out in the field and doing the work – seeing everything close up in the desert and realizing the great diversity that thrives there.”

This summer, Yates will receive a bachelor’s degree in biology before starting full time at the company she co-founded, Botanical Research Contractors, where she will continue the work she started as a student.

Eventually, Yates would like to go back to school to earn a master’s degree in botany. But for now, she plans to work and expand her botanical company. Currently, Yates is trying to secure contracts for botanical work with such companies as the Bureau of Land Management and the Parks and Forest Service, doing any kind of research related to plants.

"Being part of the project has definitely changed me,” she said. “I wouldn’t have tried to start the business if it wasn’t for my experience at UVSC.”