Current Undergraduate Students
Service
Natalie Jacewicz
Harvard University, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology ’13
Natalie is interested in the synthesis of evolution, ecology, and behavior. During summer 2011 Natalie was awarded the PRISE and Herschel Smith fellowships to study the life history of Dominican anoles. Her work has revealed that the body proportions and behavior of anoles change significantly has they mature.
Susan Seav
Harvard University, Molecular and Cell Biology ’12
Susan is interested in the evolution and development of sexual dimorphism in the anole skull. She has been integral to the development of molecular and experimental laboratory protocols that we are using in the Abzhanov lab. Susan has decided to deviate from the lab for summer 2011 to pursue experience in international public health.
Joe Brancale
Harvard University, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology ’13
Joe is the Abzhanov lab math, computer, and computation whiz kid. Joe has contributed to to my work on skull integration of the anole skull.
As academic scientists involved in international research we have the responsibility to work closely with local officials and to openly share our findings with scientists and managers from our host countries. During my most recent trip to the Dominican Republic with collaborator Michele Johnson (and students) we held a workshop for children at the National Zoo and gave a presentation to Dominican biologists interested in their local herpetofauna. I am interested in further developing collaborations like these that will benefit the local scientific community and my own research efforts.
Teaching, Mentoring, and Service
As academic scientists we have the responsibility to train future biologists and medical professionals as well as education of the public at large. I am interested in developing courses that speak to those specializing in Biology as well as students simply curious about the natural sciences. By speaking to these audiences I hope to teach our future professionals and policy makers the critical thinking skills needed to address unforeseen problems associated with our changing world.
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Harvard University, Biological Lab 4110, 16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge MA 02138
