Vol. 5, No. 1 -- Spring 2020

A message to our students and alums

None of us expected our spring to turn out this way. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to dramatically alter our lives –

students, faculty, and alumni alike. For some, this upheaval has meant learning how to teach, learn, and/or work in an entirely

digital space. For some, it has meant trying to balance career/school and family responsibilities in a different and wholly

unprecedented way. For our seniors, it has meant that the celebration and ceremony of the end of their Stetson college

experience has been taken away.

The demands and the uncertainty of these times are tough on us all, but we have navigated them, and continue to navigate

them, as we always have here at Stetson – together. Our alumni have shown the ability to adapt on the fly and approach life in

new ways. Our students have shown an incredible amount of resiliency and fortitude to finish this semester, and finish it strong.

Our faculty have worked hard to continue to provide the level of education and mentorship that you expect and deserve from

Stetson. Yes, these times are hard, but the Stetson Biology department will continue to be a place of mentorship, support, and

collaboration, both through this pandemic and beyond. We are here for you, as we all need to be here for each other. Reach out to

your favorite professor, even if you haven’t spoken to them in years. We want to know how you are and what you are up to. Reach

out to your colleagues and classmates and lean on each other for support in these crazy times. In the end, we will all come

through this a little stronger than before, and when we do, Sage Hall and the Biology Department will continue to be the welcoming

place it is and has been for years. In the meantime, please take some time and enjoy the pictures of how some of our faculty and

students have spent their time during this semester. Revel in the successes of our graduating class, and help welcome our newest

faculty who will help us continue into the future. Be well, take care of yourselves, and each other,

~Kirsten Work (Biology Department Chair), Sean Beckmann, Cindy Bennington, Roslyn Crowder, Justin Dee, Terry Farrell, Missy

Gibbs, Torrence Gill, John Jett, Lynn Kee, Mike King, Peter May, Haleigh Ray, Jean Smith, Liz Tristano, and Vickie Bolinger &

Theresa Carroll

Stetson Biologists during the COVID pandemic

Jennifer Kisow is kept on task (or off) by her cat Tennesee Honey. Tom Sussan and his dog Rover enjoy some down time on the Mosquito Lagoon. Jordan Brothers and friend hike in Vermont.

Lauren Morgan dresses up for the prom. RaeAnna Casler is clearly missing playing team soccer! Tatum Oliver and her cat Reece are enjoying spending more time together.

Justine Horne and her puppy hang out in front of the CUB. Tabor Filipello helps take Limnology water samples on a frigid day on Lake Beresford at the beginning of the semester...look how bundled up his classmates are! Isabelle Caby enjoys some outdoor time on campus.

Megan Collins is working on class assignments from home. Brandon Evans and family celebrate his birthday while being socially responsible. Taylor Hibel's classroom at home...she misses studying in Sage Hall!

Ian Sisto enjoys some time on the Potomac River while at home with his family in Virginia. Saige-Lyn Gidzinski and her dog Blaze enjoy a walk in the woods during a study break in Shamong, New Jersey. Madison Reeves and her cat Figaro study for her Organic Chemistry final exam.

Terykah Hollis has been enjoying her Instagram account...take a look! @terykah.s.cameradump. Jerry Reidenbach takes a break from his to computer to hike out to the Chilhowee Mountains in Benton, TN.

Kennedy Francisco's dogs help out. Caitlin Bhagwandeen is working at the Gillespie on a project for putting together herbariums. Kathryn Moran enjoys the betta fish she brought home after taking Animal Behavior last fall.

Dr. Smith is enjoying extra time with baby Miles (I think he does too!). Dr. Gibbs learns to make masks out of old dish towels (around her neck in this picture) and holds her uncut hair back with a scarf. Dr. Work misses you from her home office!

Dr. Beckmann truly misses interacting with students in person on a daily basis; those impromptu moments where students, and colleagues, pop into his office and chat are some of his favorite parts of his job! Morgan Baughan and her ESA Lacey take a trip to the vet for a check-up. Yes, that's an old picture of Dr. Farrell, but click on it to see what he's been doing out at Lake Woodruff!

Biology Department Class of 2020

Departmental Honorees:

Paloma Avila - BIOL- Biology Service Award - (L) Paloma enjoyed spending time in the field collecting rodents to look for the presence of the parasite Ehrlichia muris for her senior research. Paloma was instrumental in running the Biology Student Advisory Committee for the past three years. Paloma was a TA in Dr. Smith's genetics class, lead Peer Success Coach, and a WISE Leader (a leadership development & mentorship program for underserved populations at Stetson). Aamani Thulluru - MOBI - Research Award - (C) Aamani did an amazing job with her Senior Research Project utilizing CRISPR gene editing technology on butterfly wing patterns. She was awarded a coveted travel award to present at the Association of Southern Biologists meeting this spring. Aamani also served as a genetics TA for both Dr. Smith and Dr. Kee. Jenna Palmisano - AQBY - Dorothy Fulller Award - (R) Jenna was the head Stetson Peer Instructor this year and has been very active with environmental efforts on campus, including serving as the president for both the Food Recovery network and the Environmental Club. She has also been working as a student research assistant for the Stetson Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience. Outstanding Seniors (GPA): Reece Duff, Yev Habibe, Taylor Hibel, Michael Hill, Andrew MacNeil, and Jenna Palmisano

Caitlin Abols (BIOL) reveling in nature before quarantine began. She misses spending time in the Sandhill with the bees and the Science Cafes at the Gillespie. Bria Aqui (AQBY) and her dog Honey. She and her siblings decide to have fun with an at-home photo shoot.

Ashley Jenks (MOBI) poses for a graduation picture near the Holler Fountain. Zavia Jenkins (AQBY) is out on Lake Beresford for a Limnology sampling trip. Katelyn Lundquist (MOBI) is handling woodrats during her Senior Research.

Melissa Diaz (BIOL) is out at Lake Woodruff for Ornithology. She misses going out to Woodruff and walking to the birdwatching tower with the class. Going bird watching with the class was the highlight of her mornings. Anhingas and Pied Billed Grebes were her favorites. Michael Hill (BIOL) enjoying nature as the dedicated biologist that he is. Taylor Hibel (R) (BIOL) working at the Spring Hill Community Garden, a place near and dear to her heart. Taylor plans to start work on a Master's degree in Educational Leadership at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Izzy Phillips (BIOL) handles a woodrat during her senior research out at Lake Woodruff. She really enjoyed learning how to handle the

animals and getting to work out in nature. She plans to work at vet clinic and exotic animal refuge, then apply to vet school. Kaitlyn Paalman (BIOL) and her dog Aspen play poker for dog biscuits

Michael Gruber (MOBI) is studying the total synthesis of an antitumor antibiotic, neocarzinostatin, and the process of radically induced DNA cleavage, all while enjoying a slice of pizza near the balcony of the deserted Sage Hall; Yev Habibe (BIOL), Maggie Ortkiese (AQBY), Kennedy Francisco (AQBY), and Dr. Ray are collecting data in Volusia Blue Spring

Ellie Hackett (BIOL) tries to get some work done for her Genetics class with help from her cat. Anastasiia Gryshyna, (MOBI) graduated in December and is enjoying her new job as a Project Biologist for TriLeaf Corporation. Ashley Finnell (BIOL) poses against the classic Stetson bricks.

Tina Ferrara (BIOL) poses for graduation. She will attend USF this fall for a masters in Cell and Molecular Biology. Tish Singham (BIOL) gets ready to turn in her Senior Research Paper. She will start work on a MSc in Neuroscience & Translational

Medicine at Queen Mary's University London this fall. Sierra Brown (AQBY) poses for graduation in front of her second home, Sage

Hall. She will start a new job as a member of the Marine Husbandry Team at SeaQuest Aquariums in Fort Lauderdale.

Natylye Gomez (BIOL) poses for graduation pictures near the library. Adrianna Disla (AQBY) studies for finals at home in Puerto Rico. Alex O'Hare (BIOL) and his cat Willow are enjoying some quality time together.

Caitlyn Figueroa (BIOL) enjoys spending extra time with Joliet and his hamburger Sally. Caitlyn will attend USF this fall to start work on a second bachelor's in Forensic Anthropology. Terykah Hollis (MOBI) prepares for the job market on LinkedIn. Cynthia Hulbert (AQBY) enjoys interning at the Back to Nature Wildlife Rehab Center; here she is with Taylor the Fox.

Ashley Myers (MOBI) enjoys Portofino, Italy in this photo from last summer. She plans to work in the medical field during a gap year and then apply to PA school. Andrew MacNeil (MOBI) will miss playing baseball for Stetson. Francesca Barajas (BIOL) enjoys being involved in Greek Life.

Hannah Lytle (MOBI) poses from atop the weirdly picturesque DeLand parking garage. Jessica Bagnell (L) (BIOL) enjoys cheerleading and Greek Life. Katherine Watson's (AQBY) cat Lovie has spent the entire 4 years with her at Stetson!

Reece Duff (MOBI) enjoyed his time running cross-country as a Stetson Peer Instructor. He will start a Graduate Research Program in

Cancer Research at the Mayo Clinic this fall. Monica Weaver (BIOL) has been happy to be with her elderly dog, spending more time

outside and cherishing the nature around her. She misses everyone from the Bio department and looks forward to graduation in

December! Rebecca Packer (BIOL) holds a kinkajou from her time interning at McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary.

Justin Pinero (BIOL) misses getting out into the field and learning hands-on from professors about what they are passionate about.

Jacob Sullivan (MOBI) has been working on his golf game. He also says the break has allowed him to reflect on the great memories he made at Stetson. Not only did he gain a wealth of knowledge but built relationships that will last a lifetime. Kameela Noah (MOBI) is teaching herself to paint during the shutdown. She will start a MPH program in Epidemiology at Emory University this fall.

Nick Hall (BIOL) misses Lake Beresford and its sunrises as he practiced with the rowing team every morning before dawn. Abbey

Crater (AQBY) and Noah Peterson dive on a Hatters DownUnder Spring Break trip to St. Martin.

New faculty joining us this fall semester!

Dr. Corie Charpentier comes to Stetson as our new Marine Biologist. She will be teaching an upper division marine ecology this fall (yes! there is still room if you need another UD class); the course will showcase the dynamic interactions of marine life, including those within populations, between different species, and within entire ecosystems. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by observing and analyzing these interactions in local marine environments. The course will also explore the role of environmental change and human activity on marine life, locally and beyond.

Dr. Kristine Dye comes to Stetson to teach in both Biology and Health Sciences. She has just finished up her Ph.D. in Pathobiology at the University of Washington, and had her first paper published on Merkel cell polyomavirus tumor antigens. In addition to teaching Introductory Biology, Dr. Dye will also teach Health & Wellness and a special topics class (The Transmission of Pathogens from Animals to Humans) for the Health Sciences Department.

MAKE AN IMPACT WITH RESEARCH OR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE OFF CAMPUS!

Bria Aqui holds Betsy the Burmese Python at the Orlando Science Center; Sierra Brown is spending time with one of the resident Bottlenose Dolphins (Oli and his birthday "cake") at Marineland Dolphin Adventure; Jacob Sullivan gained valuable experience working at the Moffitt Cancer Center last summer.

2019/2020 Internships Carissa Ali - medical scribe for Advent Health Lindsey Ansley - SeaWorld Orlando Bria Aqui and Ashley Jenks - Orlando Science Center Paloma Avila - Gillespie Mineral Museum Caitlin Bhagwandeen - REU at Mote Marine Lab Marine Microbiology Lab Sierra Brown - Marineland Dolphin Adventure Leah Day - African Campus Ocean Internship (South Africa) Chloe DeYoung - ClinCloud - clinical trials for Alzheimer's & Dementia treatments Melissa Diaz - Florida Department of Health Adrianna Disla - Manatee Rehab Center of Puerto Rico

Saige-Lyn Gidzinski - Naturalist at Island Beach State Park Cynthia Hulbert - Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge

Zavia Jenkins - St. Mary's Riverkeeper Caitlin Limbaugh - First Coast No More Homeless Pet Shelter Katelyn Lundquist - Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic Kathryn Moran - Florida Wild Veterinary Hospital Maggie Ortkiese - Florida Fish and Wildlife Jenna Palmisano - Reptile Discovery Center, Gillespie Museum Justin Piñero - REU at NOAA - Thunder Bay, Gillespie Museum Jacob Sullivan - Moffitt Cancer Center Allen Stellmach - Clearview Geographic, Gillespie Museum Katherine Watson - St. Johns Riverkeeper

Saige-Lyn Gidzinski leads an ecology kayak tour in Barnegat Bay during her internship. Paloma Avila and fellow Gillespie intern Vinnie Cornacchione hang up their name tags on the Senior Wall. Zavia Jenkins works on oyster bed restoration while interning for the St. Mary's Riverkeeper. They used derelict crab traps to support oyster bed growth and create a living shoreline. Zavia enjoyed networking with other environmentalists and conservationists, and plans to continue working on the project after graduation.