Lydia Delk

Lydia Delk is a biological sciences major from Romeoville, IL

Hometown: Romeoville, IL

High School: Romeoville High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2027

Minors: Chemistry and environmental studies

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received the Jerrold H. Zar Endowed Scholarship and the Donald and Linda Shearer Honors STEM Scholarship in spring 2025. Receiving this financial support has helped me to work less during the semester and focus more on doing well on my classes.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I grew up, I wanted to be a teacher. I have changed my mind in a way, as I am a biology major who intends to go to graduate school and hopefully become an instructor of higher education, rather than grade school. I currently work at the Huskie Academic Success Center as a tutor, and I feel as though this is helping me expand my skills on how to best aid student learning.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I’m majoring in biological sciences, with a minor in chemistry and a minor in environmental studies. I decided to major in biology as I became interested in topics like extinction, ecosystems and evolution, and was interested in having some hands-on research experience.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
Last year (fall 2025 to spring 2026), I did research on insect behavior, specifically house flies and parasitic wasps. I got hands-on experience and learned how a lab runs. I specifically was looking at the behavioral aversion of the parasitic wasp (Muscidifurax raptor) to a bitter compound found in pesticides, with the intention of finding a concentration that would keep the wasps away but be effective toward house flies. This research interested me as it showed consequences of human actions, specifically pesticide resistance in house flies, and what can be done to fix them. Currently, I am doing research on faucet snails, looking at the parasites within them, as they are leading to die-offs of waterbirds in the Mississippi River. I will end up coming up with my own project and get to do that next semester. This interests me as it is important to figure out why these birds are dying and how to reduce these events for conservation efforts.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
Obtaining hands-on experience truly helps with understanding what you are learning, as well as what interests you as a career. If I did not have these experiences, I would be completely lost as to what I want to focus on as a career. Additionally, I have built meaningful connections with graduate students and faculty.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
I intend to go to graduate school, so doing research will help guide me to what research I want to do in the future, as well as help me develop skills on how to read scientific articles and come up with research ideas.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
Dr. Bethia King has been important to my success. She was my faculty mentor and supported me through my research, and she continued to support me after I finished research in her lab.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
Make connections with professors early on! It may seem scary to talk to a professor, but by going to office hours or talking to them during class they can get to know you better. Personally, I took an honors class related to my major and got to know the professor, and she recommended me to join her lab the following semester.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
There are so many resources for you! From joining organizations and finding people to the Huskie Academic Success Center, as well as all the centers, there are so many people here to support your success. My first year I did not know anything about any of these resources, but now I do, and I think it is so important for everyone to know about them.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have connected with other students by joining organizations. That is one of the best ways to find people with similar interests. Also, go out of your comfort zone a little. Don't be afraid to talk to a person you don't know; they might end up being a good friend!

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am the current vice president of the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honors Society, as well as a member of Chemistry Club, the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student Association and Lamda Sigma, the sophomore honors society. These have all allowed me to be more involved on campus, meet more people, have fun events to go to and gain volunteer experience. My favorite experience was presenting my research at the annual Phi Sigma Research Symposium and getting second place! I got to practice communicating my research to others and see what research my peers were doing.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The Huskie Academic Success Center has helped me feel supported and successful. I work as a tutor there and learn valuable study skills and ways to support success, but I also get to provide support for students and their learning. The Department of Biological Sciences has helped me feel supported; many of the faculty are welcoming and genuinely want to help your succeed.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
Being in the Honors Program was so beneficial to my success in working toward my career goals. My first year I wasn't too involved on campus besides being in the program, but I took an honors class in my major and built a connection with the professor. Through this, she recommended me to do research in her lab. Without this, I would not have gotten into research as soon as I did.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
Being in the Honors Program has helped me meet others who are similar to me and also helped me advance my education. I have taken honors classes where I have to think more deeply about the content, something I would not have done on my own.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
My favorite instructor was Dr. Bethia King. I took BIOS 209H and BIOS 433 with her and have done research with her.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class regularly is so important for success in class. So many professors clarify information in class, making the exam less difficult. If you skip class, it becomes so easy to fall behind and do poorly in the class.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I recently have loved going to the East Lagoon. It is so easy to get trapped in the library doing assignments, so I make sure to go on a walk almost every day to clear my head between studying, and the East Lagoon is my favorite spot. Maybe I just love nature, since I'm a biology major, but this has been so beneficial for my mental health and focus.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Go to a school where you feel like you'll succeed the most. I ended up choosing NIU because I could picture myself doing well here. Make sure to visit the school before you make a decision.

Why is a college education important to you?
I am a first-generation college student, so I feel like a college education is so important for supporting success. To me, getting a college education is so important to my future success in life. I just want to make my family and friends proud.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I set aside specific time for each task I need to complete. If you set a time limit and set aside time, it is easier to stay on task.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I have all the NIU apps and check my email. I read the Northern Star each day, as well as the weekly honors newsletter. I have the NIU Mobile app, the Suitable app, NIU Safe and Huskie Hub.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I go on walks! I set aside time to let my mind relax by walking around campus, specifically by the East Lagoon and Kishwaukee River. Everything is about time; if you think ahead and set aside time for your tasks, you can get them done.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work at the Huskie Academic Success Center as a tutor. Last semester I tutored introductory biology classes, but now I am focusing on being the main organic chemistry tutor, as it is a notoriously difficult course. I enjoy hearing things from students like, "This makes so much more sense now," and knowing I helped them even a little bit. Some of my hobbies include going for walks, going bird-watching, doing fun things with my friends and hanging out with my two cats and dog.