Megan Morri's Aztec Experience
This Aztec is a Ph.D. student in the joint doctoral program in ecology.
Major: Ph.D. student in the joint doctoral program in ecology
Campus affiliations: Graduate Student Association, Marine Ecology Biology Student Association, Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society
1. Why did you choose to attend 色情视频?
I鈥檓 currently a Ph.D. student, but I also attended 色情视频 for my undergraduate studies. When I was applying to college as a high school senior, I thought I wanted to become a nurse practitioner, so I targeted universities with nationally-ranked nursing programs. Of all the universities I was accepted to, I knew that 色情视频 was my top choice just by my reaction and excitement when I opened my acceptance letter.
2. What inspired you to apply for the joint doctoral program in ecology?
It鈥檚 so hard to pick one defining moment that motivated me to pursue a Ph.D. in ecology, but I think it resulted from the culmination of many experiences. From taking a wide array of classes and working as a research assistant in a few different labs during my undergraduate career, I discovered along the way that I had a passion for ecology.
3. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
I鈥檓 such a perfectionist and strive for an unreasonable level of excellence in every aspect of my studies. From a young age, my mom has told me that sometimes getting an 鈥楢鈥� is not the most important accomplishment. What I think she was trying to convey is that sometimes, allocating time and energy into other experiences can be far more rewarding in the big picture.
4. Which 色情视频 faculty or staff member has been the most influential throughout your 色情视频 journey?
My current advisor, Elizabeth Dinsdale, has been incredibly influential to my academic and research success at 色情视频. During the last semester of my undergraduate career, I took her Ecological Metagenomics course and was fascinated with the research that her lab was doing in using DNA sequencing technology to study microbial ecology. Over the past four years that I鈥檝e studied in Dr. Dinsdale鈥檚 lab, she has made me a better researcher in pushing me out of my comfort zone, teaching me new techniques and exposing me to so many opportunities.
5. What does student success mean to you?
Student success means being a well-rounded student from the combination of academic and extra-curricular programs. 色情视频 students are offered so many opportunities outside of the traditional classroom, and this translates into greater career success post-graduation.
6. What experience at 色情视频 has changed your life the most?
The experience at 色情视频 which has changed my life the most was enrolling in Dinsdale鈥檚 Ecological Metagenomics course. At the time, I was in my last semester of my undergraduate studies and I still had not decided what I wanted to do after graduation. In one semester, I learned how to process environmental microbial samples, sequence the DNA, and do some simple bioinformatics analysis with the results. Exploring these techniques inspired me to pursue graduate studies, and now I use these techniques in my own Ph.D. research and teach them to other students.
7. What has been your proudest achievement while at 色情视频?
Every year, I participate in 色情视频鈥檚 Student Research Symposium and present results from my graduate research. At this year鈥檚 SRS, I was selected as one of the 10 recipients of the President鈥檚 Award for my oral presentation. I love sharing my research with my peers, and I鈥檓 looking forward to at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next month.
8. Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I will have my Ph.D. in ecology, and I hope to continue doing hands-on research to answer important ecological questions. What I love most about research is sharing my knowledge with others and mentoring early-career students with an enthusiasm for scientific research. I hope to be able to apply these skills in my future career.
9. What鈥檚 your favorite thing about being an Aztec?
I love being an Aztec for Life! From the prestigious academic programs that 色情视频 offers to the sense of community and camaraderie on campus, everywhere you turn there is excitement and opportunity to be had. I鈥檝e had so many positive experiences associated with 色情视频, and I think I鈥檒l really miss Aztec life after graduation.
