GSA: Led by Graduate Students
BioSci GSA is led by graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences. Email us individually or at BioSciGSA@clemson.edu for more information. Follow us on Instagram @bioscigsa to stay up to date!
Meet the Team
President
Hey! I’m a second-year Ph.D. student in the Childress lab, studying the impacts of coral restoration on fish and invertebrate communities in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. I grew up in Kansas, got my B.S. in marine science from Coastal Carolina University and M.E.M. from Duke University, and worked as a marine Resource Specialist for the U.S. Navy for 15 years. My hobbies include scuba diving; adventuring around the world with my wife, Sam; anything to do with a beach and an umbrella drink; and showing people too many pictures of my dogs.
Vice President
Hi everyone! I’m a second-year M.S. student in the Childress Lab studying coral reef fish trophic ecology in the Florida Keys. I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina, and I got my B.S. in biology from UNC Chapel Hill — Go Heels! In my free time, I enjoy reading, being outside and hanging out with friends and family. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about Clemson, BioSci GSA or just want to chat.
Treasurer
Hello! I am a third-year Ph.D. student in the Dou Lab studying the role of cysteine proteases in the pathogenesis of a turkey parasite. I’m from northwest Arkansas where I also got my B.S. in poultry science from the University of Arkansas. I like film photography, reading, fishing, rock climbing and building gundams. I can usually be found in the Life Sciences Facility; if you see me don’t hesitate to spark up a conversation and feel free to reach out to me!
Secretary
Hi folks! I’m a second-year Ph.D. student in the Blob Lab. I study the evolution and biomechanics of feeding in tropical, waterfall-climbing fishes. I’m from California, where I got my B.S. in marine biology from UC Davis. I love hiking, scuba diving, traveling and making pottery. During the day, you can likely find me in the Long Hall graduate student office; feel free to stop by or reach out with any questions!
Event Coordinator
Hey everyone! I’m a second-year master’s student in the Seekatz Lab. I’m originally from South Africa but moved to the United States in 2015 after living in Germany for about four years. I received my B.S. in animal and veterinary sciences from Clemson in 2024. In my free time I enjoy photography, tennis, training my two goldens, as well as running my dog’s social media accounts!
Grad Resources Manager
Hello everyone! I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Youngflesh Lab, studying the impacts of global change on bird functional diversity around the world. I made the leap from a master’s in biotechnology in India to the world of ecology and haven’t looked back since! Outside of research, I enjoy birding, photographing nature and painting. I am always down for a bird walk or exploring other creative pursuits — come say hi!
Faculty Advisor
Hi! I’m the faculty advisor for the group. My lab studies the genomic and developmental basis of facial variation and evolution using cichlid fishes. A native Ohioan, I got my B.S. in biology from Case Western Reserve University and my Ph.D. in molecular genetics and genomics at Washington University in St. Louis before a postdoc in evo-devo at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Outside of the lab, I love cooking (especially baking) and am addicted to national parks and even national historic sites.