Hometown/Sending School
Arkansas High School, Texarkana
College and Area(s) of Study
Tulane University, B.S. in Environmental Biology
Current profession and company. Tell us what you do.
I am a Research Assistant at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. I work in
the field of fungal ecology, understanding how fungi play a role in maintaining tropical forest diversity and their interactions with plants. I collect field samples of diseased plant tissues, culture and store fungi, and complete DNA analysis. I lead a project that analyzes the effect of seasonality and rainfall on leaf fungal pathogen communities and the implications for seedling survival. Additionally, I am applying to Ph.D. programs to start in fall 2024.
What made you choose ASMSA?
I chose ASMSA for several reasons. Primarily, I wanted to be academically challenged by coursework and professors in a classroom where the topics and discussion caused real thinking to occur. The diversity and scale of concurrent credit courses taught by PhD’s was exciting. Additionally, I knew I wanted to go into a biology-focused research field. ASMSA provided the
opportunity to complete college-level research projects with independence and mentorship. This rigor both within and outside the classroom challenged me to grow as a student and prepare for university.
What are your fondest memories of the school?
All of my fondest memories involve the people I made connections with. From meeting new friends during orientation week and dancing at the Whacky Tacky to poster practice the week of state science fair to tennis games with Hot Springs High, every day was surrounded by friends and mentors who cared deeply about our success and well-being. The casual days spent with friends in the Res-Life building playing games or studying on the landings stick out the most.
What do you feel was the most important thing that you learned?
As we go from high school to college to the real world, the most important skills are independence and perseverance. At ASMSA, I was pushed enough to maintain schedules and routines while balancing my personal life, while still having the net of support like most high schools. Having multiple difficult classes and challenging coursework with extracurriculars prepared me for college through learning about my study habits, learning methodologies, and how to perform in stressful circumstances.
Share a favorite quote and/or your favorite book.
Quote: “In wildness is the preservation of the world” - Thoreau
Book: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
What do you feel are the most important tools for an educator to have in today’s classroom?
I think the most important aspect of learning for students is curiosity, and that should be reflected in the instructor. Educators lead by example and set the tone for the classroom. Having a passion for the topic you teach will lead to more interest and investment in learning. At ASMSA, having a professor with experience researching topics they were teaching made me feel excited to learn from them and further engage in the material. Additionally, educators need support from the administration and parents. We must acknowledge that instructors care about cultivating students' intellect and they should be supported financially and emotionally in doing so.
What excites you about the future?
I am ready for the new challenges and environment that graduate school will bring for me next year. I have been studying fungal ecology for almost four years, and now get to start developing fully independent research questions that excite me. It will also be interesting to dive deeper into graduate coursework in community ecology and statistics. ASMSA has instilled a passion for being a lifelong academic and researcher.