Alumni Spotlight: Emily Sanchez Durkee
Works for the Texas Nonpoint Source Pollution Program .
Major & Concentration:
B.S. in Biological Sciences from CSUF with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2015. CSUF M.S. in Biology, 2018.
What are you doing now?
For the past 2 years, I worked for the Texas Nonpoint Source Pollution Program, which administers federal grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act to plan and implement activities that prevent or mitigate urban water pollution. My responsibilities included scoring grant applications, advising project development and progress, and coordinating with the EPA.
What were you involved with at Cal State Fullerton?
As an undergraduate, I was a scholar in the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP) from 2013 to 2015 ( http://biology.fullerton.edu/scerp/ ). As a SCERP scholar, I worked in Dr. Christopher Tracy’s physiological ecology lab where I completed an independent research project on the thermoregulation of the common chuckwalla, an iguanid found in the deserts of North America. I presented my research at several regional and national biological conferences. I was also active in the Undergraduate Biology Club, and during my last year at CSUF, I served as the event coordinator for the club. After earning my bachelor’s degree in 2015, I decided to pursue a Master of Science in Biology degree at CSUF and continue my research with Dr. Tracy. My thesis was on the intersexual behavioral strategies of thermoregulation in the common chuckwalla. For several months I lived and worked at the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center in Palm Desert, CA, where I observed wild chuckwallas and collected body temperature data. I completed my Master's degree in 2018.
How did Cal State Fullerton prepare you for your current career?
I think Cal State Fullerton is a great place for undergraduates to get hands-on experience in their field of interest because it emphasizes teaching and provides opportunities for undergrads to get involved in research. Even if you do not end up pursuing a career in research, these experiences will help you grow as a professional, develop versatile skills, and build a strong professional network.
What advice would you give to incoming, current, or graduating biology students?
Do not hesitate to talk to people with different backgrounds, interests, and goals. Take advice or help that is offered to you, and make use of all the resources and opportunities that CSUF offers.
