Beyond providing a solid background in theory and techniques, the Department actively supported me by providing an opportunity to conduct field ecology research as an undergraduate. My Departmental Honors project on vernal pool amphibians was fundamental to my development as a scientist. As I worked with Dr. Lindquist and Dr. Foster to publish the findings of our research, I gained experience analyzing ecological data, articulating scientific findings in writing, and navigating the peer review process. All of this led to a published journal article and a rich opportunity to prepare for graduate-level research in field ecology.
Pursuing a degree in Biology will give you the opportunity to explore a wide range of fields and subdisciplines within the study of life. Even if you begin college with your heart set on being a physician, veterinarian, botanist, or zoologist, be open to
discovering your passion along the way. You never know when an elective course might turn into a lifelong passion!
Never in history have issues of environmental stewardship and conservation been so entwined with our call to love our neighbors. In my research, I seek to understand how people impact the natural world, and how they are in turn impacted by natural systems. It's clear that we need biodiverse ecological communities, clean air and water, and intact ecosystems to ensure that human communities are healthy. My goal is to be part of finding opportunities to protect and enhance natural systems while also meeting the needs of the human communities that interact with them.