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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

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 Wooldrige

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. 
Casey Costelloe
My name is Casey Costelloe, and I am a Biology major with an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona, with minors in Marine Science and Biochemistry. I’ve had the opportunities to study abroad in both Australia and Costa Rica, where I worked in a biomolecular lab focused on the genetic identification of marine species involved in the illegal wildlife trade. On campus, I’m involved in the Physiology Club and the Marine Awareness and Conservation Society, both which have allowed me to explore my interests at the intersection of ecology and human biology. 
 
I’m excited to serve as an EEB Ambassador because I enjoy connecting with other students, helping them navigate the EEB department, and sharing how this major can support a wide range of academic and career paths. I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have!

Sara Kafi

Hello, my name is Sara Kafi, and I am a first-generation senior at the University of Arizona, majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Public Health. On campus, I am involved in Arizona’s Science, Engineering, and Math Scholars (ASEMS) and conducted research through STARS, a program apart of ASEMS. I also serve as the Student Outreach Director for Service, Care, Representation, Unity, Bridging Support (SCRUBS), a club I co-founded with friends, and I am a member of the pre-dental program Delta Delta Sigma (DDS). Additionally, I serve as the Events Coordinator for the Arabic Language and Culture Club (ALCC). After graduation, I plan to take a gap year before pursuing dental school to become an orthodontist. I am thrilled to join the EEB Ambassadors team because I love connecting with others, and I see this as a wonderful opportunity to share what Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is all about and inspire others with all that the field has to offer!