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In 20 words or less, what is the best thing about being part of this department?
Students work together and help each other to get the most out of their education.

What is your advice to first years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
When taking a biology class, go to office hours and ask your professor questions even when you do not have any about the class. If you want a research opportunity, ask the professor about where you can find them. The more relationships you have established within the department, the more doors that will open for you.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at K?
No class, book, or person can tell you how to make the most of your experience at Kalamazoo College (although they can help). You have to work to find your specific interests and goals, that will guide your time here at K and beyond.

What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
My favorite class at K so far was “Cellular & Molecular Biology” because while it was difficult, it taught me a lot of foundational knowledge that I have used in every one of my biology classes since. It also has been my favorite lab to date. makes it so easy to fall in love with the subject and the labs were amazing!!

How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
The open curriculum offered has allowed me to take a wide variety of classes, which has helped me meet a lot of people and hear a lot of different perspectives that I otherwise would not have experienced in my undergraduate education. The first year of college, because there were no general education requirements, I was able to explore different fields of study and take my time settling on a major.

What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
I have participated in a couple of programs through the CCE including volunteering with Woodward Elementary and Helping Youth Through Personal Empowerment (H.Y.P.E.). I have been a TA and a SI for the introductory biology courses Form & Function and Evolution and Genetics. This summer I am in an internship that is focusing on biology-based education research.

What is your SIP?
My SIP is on biology-based education research which I am conducting over the summer.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
My next steps are to go to graduate school for biological research, maybe centered around genetics, and to also teach in some capacity. I am still settling on future plans but look forward to whatever is next.

What is a random fun fact about you?
I make killer fried tofu. If you decided you don’t like tofu because of the texture, come see me.

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In 20 words or less, what is the best thing about being part of this department?
The exceptionally impactful relationships one can build with the professors, faculty, and fellow students in the biology department.

What is your advice to first years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
Talk to everyone and attend K Biology events! Possibly cliché advice but by putting yourself in situations where you can make connections (i.e. bio events) you will realize everyone in the department wants to help you achieve your goals.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at K?
The importance of networking and relationships. The connections you build (no matter how small) quite possibly could impact your life and/or career in significant ways.

What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
Evolutionary Ecology with Dr. Santiago Salinas. Not only were the themes of the class extremely interesting but Dr. Salinas teaches and designs classes such as Evo Eco in ways that highlight student engagement and learning. We collaborated and worked through big questions the way you might when doing “real science” which was super impactful.

How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
The ability to take classes outside of your major is one of the most important things about K. For me music, anthropology + sociology, and critical ethnic studies classes have shaped me in ways biology could not, so I strongly recommend branching out.

What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
During my time at K, I have been involved in lab work at the California Department of Food and Agriculture working with leaf footed bugs. I have worked with Dr. Salinas in the Fish lab. I have done volunteer work for Trout Unlimited and the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

What is your SIP?
Utilizing data I will collect with colleagues in the Fish Conservation Physiology Lab at the University of California Davis. I will be looking to identify key swimming criteria for safe and timely passage of sturgeon through artificial water diversion structures.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
Following graduation, I hope to take on a few seasonal and/or field tech related jobs before ultimately going to grad school and pursuing a career in marine and/or freshwater fish science.

What is a random fun fact about you?
My favorite winter activity is playing hockey.