Brendan was awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the 2004 to conduct a study on the effects of invasive shrubs on wildlife populations. As part of this study, Brendan censused populations of insects, small mammals, and snakes among 6 habitats that had a range of invasive shrub abundance.

Brendan found that insect diversity was less on invasive (alien) shrubs than on native species. This effect could have important implications to animals that depend on insects as a food source. Brendan presented the results of his research at the annual meeting of the New England Chapter of the Society of American Foresters and was given the “Best Poster” award.