Getting Involved in EEB

What do the EEB Ambassadors do?

EEB Ambassadors are current Biology, Bioinformatics and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology students who wish to take an active role in assisting current and prospective EEB majors, as well as departmental faculty and staff. Ambassadors are a critical component of new freshmen orientation, recruitment visits, graduation ceremonies, peer mentoring, and other workshops and events. They bring the major to life for new students and provide unique perspectives to peers. Ambassadors can pilot their own workshops based on their passions, stress points or student interests, like the previous 'How to Apply to Graduate School' and its sister 'How to apply to Medical School' workshops designed and lead by the club.

The EEB Ambassadors are among the most enthusiastic and passionate students in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. They are chosen based on a combination of their unique perspectives, outstanding academic initiative, involvement in research and internships, leadership experiences, and passion for biology.

What are the benefits?

EEB Ambassadors earn:

public speaking skills and confidence
a wide array of unique networking opportunities
special invitations to events and social gatherings
resume-building experience in outreach
an EEB Ambassador shirt, woot!

How do I apply?

Check back in August to join our team for the fall!

Requirements for Applicants

Major in Biology, Bioinformatics, or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
In at least your second year at UA
Available to participate in at least two events each semester, as well as monthly meetings

Julianna Acuna

Hi! I'm Julianna Acuña, a first-generation, full-time college student in my senior year at the University of Arizona. I’m majoring in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology with triple minors in Marine Science, Biochemistry, and Molecular & Cellular Biology. I’m proud to serve as an EEB Ambassador and excited to answer your questions and share advice! On campus, I am the Vice President of the Marine Awareness & Conservation Society (UA’s only marine biology club), a specimen curator for the Alaskan Fish Collection under the mentorship of Dr. Peter Reinthal and Dr. Frank von Hippel, and a member of the Society of Hispanic & Professional Engineers. Additionally, I also serve as a University Ambassador for Women in Ocean Science. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in Marine Biology, with a focus on shark microbiome research. I look forward to connecting with all of you!

Ellerie Blomenkamp

My name is Ellerie Blomenkamp and I am from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I am a senior double majoring in Organismal Biology and EEB. While on campus, I participate in lab research under Prof. John J. Wiens doing cladistic work. I am looking to pursue my PhD after graduation, preferably in the field of Herpetology or Entomology. I wanted to become an EEB ambassador because I love connecting with other students in the same program! I love being able to help students connect to opportunities within EEB they may not otherwise learn about!

Sydney Wooldridge

Hello everyone! I am from Flagstaff, Arizona, and I am a senior here studying EEB and minoring in chemistry and writing. During my time here, I work for Outdoor Recreation– I love to run and climb and swim– and be outside. I am also on the ultimate frisbee team, and I often play basketball. I love to bike… you’ll probably see me cruising on my bike around campus this semester. I have been doing research the past two years as part of a lab focused on native fish conservation using age/growth monitoring, going on mark-recapture rafting trips on the Salt and Verde Rivers. Speaking of rafting… I work as a river guide over the summer. I have been fortunate to gain excellent outreach experience as an EEB ambassador, and I chose to be an ambassador because I think EEB is a wonderful, challenging, and underrated major, and it can open a lot of doors for anyone who wants to pursue professions in healthcare, conservation, and many other hard sciences. I wished to share my experience with others and become more involved as a leader with this program.

Vanshikha Vij

Hi everyone, my name is Vanshikha! I am a senior graduating in December majoring in Biology and Spanish Translation & Interpretation. I also have minors in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Classics, and Molecular and Cellular Biology. My research background is in clinical sleep deprivation research as a research technician I with the University of Arizona SCAN Lab. Outside of research and EEB, I am the secretary of the UA's South Asian Student Association. My professional career goals include going to medical school after getting my master's in healthcare management.

Other Clubs & Organizations

College of Science Ambassadors

The College of Science also has an ambassador program. The UA Science Ambassadors are undergraduates selected by the departments in the College of Science to assist with recruiting events and visits by high school students to the College. Ambassadors are bright, outgoing students who usually are involved in an independent research project. By example and through presentations, the UA Science Ambassadors represent the range of opportunities available to College of Science undergraduates. College of Science Ambassadors must be selected through an application process. The majority of UA Science Ambassadors from the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology are also departmental ambassadors.

Marine Awareness & Conservation (MACS)

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology is home to the only marine biology club on campus. MACS members are devoted to promoting the conservation and protection of marine life and its oceans through education and volunteering for eco-friendly activities. One of the main objectives of MACS is to promote the education of local residents through community outreach programs that teach children the importance of marine ecosystems. Travel plans for scuba diving, tidepooling, and snorkeling are underway, as well as beach cleanups in the US and Mexico. During MACS meetings, teachers and professionals are asked to present their work to the group as an educational experience. More information can be found at the MACS website.

Other Campus Organizations

To help round out your experience at the University of Arizona, the College of Science offers a wide variety of student clubs and organizations all dedicated to the advancement of science. https://science.arizona.edu/community-engagement/students

Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA), the University’s student government, is home to the Club Resource Center. At the ASUA website, you can view a list of all recognized clubs and organizations on campus.

Career-related Extracurricular Activities Enjoyed by EEB & Biology Students

Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Med Honors Society
Arizona Animal AdvoCATS
Delta Delta Sigma Pre-Dental Club: http://uapredental.com/
F.A.C.E.S. ( Fostering and Achieving Cultural Equity and Sensitivity) Pre-Health Club:http://clubs.asua.arizona.edu/~faces/
Medcats Pre-Health club: http://arizonaorgs.orgsync.com/org/uamedcats
Medical Research Student Association
Medical Specialty Club
Microbiology Club
P.A.I.N. (Professional Achievements In Nursing) Pre-Nursing Club: http://arizonaorgs.orgsync.com/org/pain
Pre-Veterinary Club: http://microvet.arizona.edu/prevet/
Pre-Pharmacy Club: http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/students/stdorgs/prepharm
The Student Chapter of Wildlife Disease Association
The Wildlife Society: http://joomla.wildlife.org/arizona/

EEB Undergraduate Poster Session

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology hosts an annual Poster Session in April of each year. Participating students are EEB or Biology majors or minors, or are conducting research with a faculty member in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Both beginner and advanced categories are represented, and there are awards given to the top-placing posters in both divisions.

The goals of the Undergraduate Poster Session and Contest:

Highlight Departmental research opportunities for undergraduates through a poster session
Provide a forum to showcase the research projects conducted by our undergraduates
Provide undergraduates with an opportunity to acquire tools necessary to be successful in post-graduate studies (creating and presenting a scientific research poster)
Facilitate interaction between undergraduate students and faculty

Who Can Present?

To enter a poster in the poster session you must be a declared EEB or Biology major or minor OR be conducting research with a faculty member in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
All levels of research involvement are encouraged to participate (beginner through advanced).
Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Bioinformatics majors earning directed research (i.e. graded) units are expected to present at our poster fair.