Highlands Rewilding
Ohio Wesleyan Students Help to Restore Ecosystem in Scotland's Mountainous Region
Name: Logan McFarland '27
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
High School: Granville High School
Majors: Environmental Science and Geography
Name: Ian Sander '27
Hometown: Pemberville, Ohio
High School: Eastwood High School
Majors: Microbiology, Pre-Dentistry, and Psychology
Minor: Chemistry
OWU Connection Experience: International service trip to help restore the local ecosystem in the Scottish Highlands
Sander and McFarland traveled to the Scottish Highlands for eight days in May with students Jessie Spurling '26 of Lancaster, Ohio, and Shannon Barr '27 of Galena, Ohio, to participate in conservation-focused projects, including trail building, invasive plant species removal, and cairn building. Ohio Wesleyan Associate Chaplain William Hayes served as the staff supervisor and student mentor.
"In addition to the hands-on fieldwork," Sander said, "the trip provided opportunities to deepen my cultural and historical knowledge of the region. Learning about the Highlands' ecological history and its connections to broader cultural narratives enhanced my understanding of the significance of rewilding efforts and their impact on both the land and local communities."
Why This Experience?
McFarland: "I pursued the opportunity because I wanted to expand my understanding of what sustainability and stewardship of the environment looks like in different parts of the world."
Sander: "I pursued this opportunity because of my strong interest in the environment and ecological restoration, as well as my passion for service and volunteer work. The chance to contribute to rewilding efforts aligned with my values and gave me a meaningful way to support conservation on a global scale.
"My extensive experience backpacking, hiking, and camping, along with my leadership in wilderness ministry treks, prepared me to fully engage with the physical and reflective aspects of this experience. I was also drawn to the opportunity to explore a part of the world I had never visited before, combining service, personal growth, and cultural learning in a unique setting."
Favorite Moments
McFarland: "My favorite moment of the experience was seeing a pine marten (a member of the weasel family) at a sustainable farm on an old estate."
Sander: "One of my favorite moments from the trip was serving alongside James, an 18-year-old local from Grantown, Scotland, who was studying forestry. We spent hours working together to haul heavy mounds of stone and gravel through the woods to help build a footpath with the organization Cairngorms Connect. What made this experience especially memorable was not just the physical work, but the conversations we shared. James was deeply curious about culture, lifestyle, and school in the United States, and in turn, I learned about his perspective on forestry and conservation in Scotland.
"This moment made me realize that my commitment to service is not only about restoring the environment, but also about investing in people, communities, and relationships. Working alongside James reinforced the idea that service is most impactful when it brings together shared values, cultural exchange, and collaborative effort. This insight connects directly to all three of my majors as it mirrors the integration of science, human connection, and problem-solving that I hope to carry into my career in dentistry and research."
This experience was especially meaningful because it connected my values of service, stewardship, and learning to the professional path I am building in dentistry, research, and public health.
Lessons Learned
McFarland: "I learned that compromise is much more likely in the United Kingdom when it comes to environmental action and policy. I learned that I want to continue to travel and expand my horizons because this trip was very eye-opening."
Sander: "This experience was especially meaningful because it connected my values of service, stewardship, and learning to the professional path I am building in dentistry, research, and public health. The rewilding work reinforced the importance of restoration -- whether of ecosystems or human health -- and gave me perspective on how service-driven efforts can create lasting change in communities.
"Spending time immersed in the Highlands also broadened my understanding of how environment and culture shape health, which resonates with my interest in the oral microbiome, cancer, and tobacco research. Just as rewilding restores balance to ecosystems, my future career as a dentist and researcher will focus on restoring and preserving health by addressing both biological and environmental factors. This experience deepened my commitment to approaching dentistry as both a clinician and a servant leader, with a public health mindset that values prevention, restoration, and the well-being of the community as a whole."
Campus Involvements
McFarland is a member of Phi Gamma Delta and a former member of both the Environmental Science Student Board and the Rock Climbing Club. He is studying abroad in Italy this semester through the ISI Perugia program.
Sander: "I proudly represent the Ohio Wesleyan Men's Varsity Swim Team, both as a competitor and as a representative on the Ohio Wesleyan Athletic Council. As vice president of Circle K International, I lead service initiatives, and as a Spring Break Trek Leader for the Outdoor Ministry Team, I guide impactful experiences for students. I am currently leading an independent study for my Theory-to-Practice Grant, measuring the effects of social environment on the gut microbiome of sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna). I also actively participate in the Pre-Health Club, preparing for my future career in healthcare."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
McFarland: "I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan for the great study abroad program."
Sander: "During my college search, I quickly discovered that the OWU Connection is what sets Ohio Wesleyan apart from other liberal arts institutions. I loved the opportunity to customize my OWU Connection pathway, allowing me to make the most of my college experience to best prepare me for my academic and professional goals and create meaningful connections that will have an impact for a lifetime.
"I knew the benefit of the OWU Connection lies in the integration of hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom as well as the values and transferable skills – critical thinking, analytical abilities, communication, problem-solving, and creativity – gained through research, service, travel, and internships, which will help me succeed. Designing my very own OWU Connection pathway was a unique and exciting opportunity to weave real-world experience into my undergraduate education, which was one of the most influential factors for why I chose Ohio Wesleyan."
Plans After Graduation
McFarland: "My plans after graduation are to either move on to grad school or get a job, but probably a small break after graduation."
Sander: "I came to Ohio Wesleyan with the clear goal of pursuing a career in dentistry, initially majoring in Biology and Pre-Dentistry with the intention of going to dental school and specializing. As I gained more experience through coursework and research, I refined my academic focus and shifted my majors to include Microbiology and Psychology, disciplines that allow me to integrate scientific inquiry with an understanding of human health and behavior.
"My long-term goal is to become a periodontist or oral surgeon while maintaining an active research program that investigates the oral microbiome, cancer, and the effects of tobacco products. I plan to complete a DMD or DDS program and may pursue a Ph.D. in conjunction with my post-graduate residency to strengthen the research dimension of my clinical career. I am particularly interested in how the oral microbiome, influenced by environmental exposures such as tobacco, can both impact oral health and serve as a marker for systemic diseases, including cancer. By advancing this work, I hope to translate microbiome-based findings into clinical strategies that improve prevention, diagnosis, and patient outcomes.
"Ohio Wesleyan has been instrumental in preparing me for these goals. Through my independent research on the gut microbiome of sailfin mollies through my Secrets of the Sailfin: Impact of Social Environment on Gut Microbiome of Sailfin Mollies (Poecilia latipinna) Theory-to-Practice Grant, I will develop strong technical and analytical skills in microbiology and microbiome analysis, as well as fish care.
"My coursework in bacterial physiology, behavior modification, and organic chemistry has further provided the scientific foundation necessary for advanced training in dentistry and biomedical research. Additionally, my connection to the Ohio 5-OSU SURE program allowed me to lead a project on the comprehensive characterization of e-cigarettes in an R1 organic and analytical chemistry lab, deepening my expertise in tobacco-related research and its public health implications.
"Together, these experiences have solidified my passion for bridging clinical practice with cutting-edge research at the intersection of oral health and systemic disease."
