Ari Berrios
she/her

Mentor: Beth Bastiaans at SUNY Oneonta

I grew up in Burlington, NC and pursued a degree in biology at Davidson College thanks to the Questbridge Match Scholarship. I love research and hope to pursue my PhD in the coming years. I enjoy crocheting, painting, and spending time with loved ones. I have a three-legged cat named Soup!

Audrey Blanchard
she/her

Mentors: Evan Grant and Elise Edwards at USGS/UMass Amherst

I’m from Rochester, MA and got my bachelors in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution at Bridgewater State University. I minored in art, as well, because I’m a big crafter! I crochet, paint, and draw, and I have a lifelong passion for amphibians.

Sophie Cox
she/her

Mentors: Dave Miller and Carli Dinsmore at Penn State University

Growing up, I spent a lot of time exploring the forests, fields, streams, and mountains in upstate South Carolina. I am from Clemson and went to school at Duke, where I studied biology as well as Latin and creative writing. I am and have always been fascinated by insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and the natural world at large. I love learning to identify new animal and plant species, reading fantasy and other novels, playing board games, birding, and spending time in nature. I am also interested in science communication.

Lan Do
she/her

Mentor: Eric Gangloff at Ohio Wesleyan University

I'm from Marysville, OH and I was inspired to work with animals by Dolphin Tale. I'm a figure skater and I love traveling. My favorite food is chicken diavolo pasta.

Anna Green
she/her

Mentor: Brandon Hedrick at Cornell University

I grew up in Washington, D.C. before heading to Colorado State University for my degree in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. Outside of research, I'm usually tending to my growing houseplant collection, hiking with my dog Rocky, or unwinding with a good book or anime. I love the outdoors and am always on the lookout for interesting critters.

Shelby Hagar
she/her

Mentor: Louise Mead at Michigan State University

I am from Jackson, MI and just graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Environmental Biology/Zoology. I love being outside, but I am just as happy snuggled up with a good book and my two kitties: Indy and Bitty.

Jaden Kang

Mentors: Kristine Grayson (University of Richmond) and Stephanie Coster (Randolph Macon College)

I spent most of my life in Asheville, NC and studied biology nearby at Western Carolina University. In my downtime I love to climb, listen to music, and read a good book.

Julianna Rakowski
she/her

Mentors: Kristine Grayson (University of Richmond) and Stephanie Coster (Randolph Macon College)

I've spent all of my life up to now in the midwest, and now I am excited to explore a new portion of the country. I earned my bachelors degree in biology from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and found myself starting my journey to a career in conservation in Minneapolis. I love spending time outside watching birds and other animals as well as spending time indoors painting or baking. My dog, Hazel, loves to beg me to take her swimming and I'm excited to see how she reacts to the ocean.

Kristie Semanchik
she/her

Mentor: Sean Sterrett at Monmouth University

My name is Kristie Semanchik, and I am from Hazleton, PA. For my undergraduate, I double majored in Biology and Environmental Science at Bucknell University. I am passionate about nature, with a specific focus on coastal ecosystems. I love traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Shelby Shartzer
they/them she/her

Mentors: David McLeod and Kadrin Anderson at Mary Baldwin University

I’m a proud Kentuckian and I’ve spent the last 2 years pursuing a degree in ecology from Sterling College, a small work college in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I’m an inherently creative person and enjoy many hobbies outside of work such as pottery, knitting, sewing, gardening and much more. I’ll be joined in my year of study by my cat Olive who is the most chatty cat I’ve ever met!