Interdisciplinary program leads MSU student to research, business success

A decade ago, Montana State University senior Miles Maxcer never imagined he would develop a passion for ants. In fact, after he sat on an anthill during elementary school recess and the insects swarmed him and stung his entire body, he detested them.

It wasn’t until a few years later that a sixth-grade teacher challenged Maxcer and his classmates to learn more about something they didn’t like and to determine whether their aversion was truly justified. Maxcer got an ant farm so he could observe the insects tunneling — safely behind plexiglass.

“It turns out that ants are really, really cool,” Maxcer said. “And I’ve been studying them ever since.”

Reagan Colyer, MSU News Service