I am currently majoring in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation. I was raised in rural Michigan and have wanted to be a biologist for as long as I can remember. When I was nine, I received a two-volume encyclopedia of mammals; I memorized every animal in the set. I raised everything I could, from turtles to snakes, fish, rodents, and birds. In 2006, after pursuing a slight detour in scholastic interests and receiving an MA in English, I finally decided to go back to school for my one true passion. I am in the last year of undergraduate study in biology at the UW. I am particularly interested in meta-population dynamics, and in Winter Quarter 2009 received a Mary Gates Scholarship to research the effects of nest orientation on reproductive success for Magellanic Penguins.
I find penguins interesting for numerous reasons. They are charismatic, highly identifiable, and have appealing personalities, which makes them excellent ambassadors for conservation. As an indicator species, they help us gauge the health and availability of important sea resources; and, unlike other seabirds, they are more tractable to study because they are flightless. I am very excited at the opportunity to spend at least five months in Punta Tombo, Argentina starting in September 2009, during which time I will collect penguin data. After I obtain my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a PhD. Ultimately, I would like to be out in the field studying the impact of human encroachment on the environment and finding ways to minimize it. Or, possibly, I would like to help communities develop eco-friendly, sustainable practices.
