My Journey To UNCW

Pittsburgh, PA

I am originally from Pittsburgh and knew nothing about the ocean! I became interested in biology when I took an AP biology class in high school and then decided to apply to colleges for biology except one. The University of Delaware was the only college that I applied to for marine science because I thought it sounded fun!

University of Delaware

I started at the University of Delaware in 2014 studying marine science. While at UD, I was able to study abroad, participate in undergraduate research, join various organizations, and have multiple internships.

Study Abroad - Central Caribbean Marine Institute - Little Cayman

• This is when I truly fell in love with coral reefs. I took a coral reef ecology class and gained my scientific diving certification

Undergraduate Research - Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Harmful Algal Blooms

• I volunteered in an inflammatory breast cancer research lab for about two years during college. If you're interested in a professors research just ask!
• I also worked on harmful algal blooms with Dr. Mark Warner and was published on my first paper!
• I attended my first conference and presented my research to stakeholders

Internships - Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and Carnegie Science Center

• I was in charge of the large ocean tanks and animal care for the aquarium
• I was also a STEM Girls Programming Intern and was in charge of designing programs for underprivileged girls to expose them to science
• These experiences allowed me to do a lot of outreach and learn what I wanted to do for a career

Mote Marine Laboratory - Summerland Key, FL

After I graduated from college I took an internship at Mote's Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration as a coral restoration intern. I learned coral husbandry and microfragmentation.

After my internship, I was offered an REU at Mote to work on my own research project. I was testing the effects of substrate type and microfragmentation on the growth rate of coral genotypes. The first half of my research on the substrate became my first first-author publication. I also presented my research to Mote to help further their restoration program. Learn more about my research under the research tab!

University of Pittsburgh - Pulmonology Lab

After I left Mote I moved back home to Pittsburgh, PA. I decided to join a pulmonology lab at the University of Pittsburgh as a lab technician. I gained experience working on microbiology methods and worked on bacterial pneumonia. I worked on various research projects and my name was included on multiple publications. It gave me valuable skills that allowed me to be a better candidate for attending graduate school. It is fine to take a few years off before attending graduate school - it will give you more experience and potentially make you a better candidate! I would not have known I was interested in studying coral microbiology and disease without these experiences.

Ushijima Lab - University of North Carolina Wilmington

I started at UNCW in January of 2021. My main focus is narrowing down the pathogen and deciphering the etiology of stony coral tissue loss disease. See the research tab for more information on my current research. See the button below to learn more about my amazing lab!

Ushijima Lab

More About Me!

In September of 2021 my best friend passed away. I am passionate about continuing his legacy by supporting his amazing foundation that was created in his memory. The Zachary Scott Jones Foundation aims to improve the lives of children by providing college scholarships, diabetes awareness and funding towards research, and partnering with mental health foundations to provide mental health resources to young adults. I miss him in every moment of my life and strive to be as kind, compassionate, and passionate about changing the world as he was. To learn more about his incredible foundation please visit www.zsjfoundation.org/.