Why FSU?

I chose to attend FSU for the combination of exceptional research and a supportive community. The research that has resulted from Florida State University is of the highest caliber and is known across the country. As someone striving to make research a career, this character put Florida State University at the top of the list. It was not until visiting that FSU truly won me over. I felt completely welcomed into the Department of Biology within hours of arriving, and the extensive community that the department has created was evident. I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by this extremely supportive community as I strive to reach my goals over the next five years.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Which aspects of life go unnoticed, escaping our view because they are too small, too quiet, or cloaked in a color we cannot see, thus disconnected from human senses? During a night-hike in the Costa Rican rain forest, on a high school Spanish trip, I was lured by the secret signals hidden in the dark. Intrigued by these signals, I commenced my research career at the University of Michigan (UM) examining biofluorescence in living organisms—a light in the dark. Searching for a path back to the rain forest, I began working in the UM Museum of Zoology herpetology collection. I was surrounded daily by fifteen million specimens from across the world, immersed in biological diversity that otherwise would have remained invisible to me. This experience led to my honors thesis project on the ecomorphological structure of a diverse tropical frog community. In my final year at UM, a biofluorescent frog was discovered in South America. My two research worlds suddenly collided. My fascination with “glowing” species and new-found passion for tropical amphibians united in one frog. How is biofluorescence produced? What is its function? I joined the Dr. Moriarty Lemmon Lab at Florida State to pursue a PhD to uncover these answers. Ultimately, I have always loved learning, and my undergraduate research experiences showed me that research is both my passion and a career that I could pursue. Hence, I was motivated to pursue a graduate degree to continue to try to find answers to my burning questions and to pursue a career where I can both conduct research and share my enthusiasm for discovery.

Importance of research and work

My research uncovering the evolution of biofluorescence in tree frogs will elucidate how biofluorescence may influence the evolution of species and determine how many times this trait has evolved independently in one of the most diverse frog families. It will provide a cohesive picture of the function, mechanism, and evolution of biofluorescence in a specific frog species. The findings of my research will not only increase our understanding of how frogs communicate and interact with their environment but also provide essential information for the protection and conservation of amphibian species. Similar to green fluorescent protein applications, understanding other fluorophore chemicals and mechanisms of biofluorescence can provide uses in the medical field for microscopic tracking and imaging. Because of its novelty, any information on the mechanism and function of frog biofluorescence would provide the first insight into the evolution of a previously undiscovered trait. In addition, through my outreach efforts, specifically through the citizen science research initiative I developed (Finding Fluorescence), I hope to engage the public in scientific discovery and to document biofluorescence in taxa across the world. This platform will enable the community to connect with scientists and to gain an appreciation of the discoveries to be made in their own backyard.

Accomplishments during graduate school

I am proud of the citizen science and education resource that I created. I am also proud that I have worked hard to maintain my hobbies outside of my research career. From being involved in the Tallahassee community bands to science fiction reading/writing groups to completing numerous knitting projects, I want to show that you can be a good scientist without losing yourself to your work.

This past Spring of 2022, I also planned and executed a 10-week South American expedition to document the presence and diversity of biofluorescence across tropical amphibians. We visited eight sites spanning five South American countries and tested approximately 165 species for biofluorescence. The 528 individuals tested spanned all three genera of amphibians (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians), and our efforts produced over 17,000 spectrometer recordings, nearly 25,000 photographs, and thousands of skin samples to analyze the mechanism and evolution of this novel trait. As only a couple dozen amphibian species had been tested before this trip, the research generated by this expedition provides new insight into the biology and evolution of amphibian coloration and communication. The data collected will undoubtedly foster new questions and avenues to explore within the world of frog biofluorescence.

Advice for prospective graduate students

You can do it. Graduate school can seem daunting and out of reach, but if you have a passion for learning and uncovering information, then graduate school might be the right place for you. Reach out to those doing what you would love to do and ask them how they got there. We are here to help you find the right place and path for you to do what you love.

Career Aspirations

I am excited to pursue a career as an academic research scientist. My enthusiasm for learning and sharing the enthusiasm of discovery has led me to choose a career path where I can both conduct research and promote scientific knowledge. Experiences through the first years of my PhD program have strengthened my resolve to fulfill this goal. I hope to share not only my discoveries with scientific and non-scientific audiences across the world, but also my love for learning as well. I plan to be a mentor in my field, encouraging others to spend life learning about what they find interesting.