“One story I can tell is about my undergraduate honors thesis in biology that studied the effects of ocean acidification and salinity stress on the growth and development of an invasive marine gastropod species Crepidula fornicata. This research experience spanned my last two years in undergrad and is what made me fall in love with research itself although it is not directly related to my graduate studies. I had the opportunity to conduct research at a marine lab off the coast of the Puget Sound in Washington state and actually grow a deep appreciation for the environment, and nature in general, as a girl who grew up in NYC. Climate change is important to me with regards to this experience because I was able to see first-hand how the melting of ice caps = effectively changing the salinity of coastal waters and how altered seawater pH directly developed the growth and development of my snail friends. It was sad to see how poorly they developed with their cracked little shells. This experience helped open my eyes to what I can personally be doing to help care for the environment; for example switching to using reusable products such as flasks, reusable straws and other personal care products.”
Elizabeth Taylor
3rd year PhD student, Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology
Member, Rutgers Association of Toxicology Students
Teaching Assistant, Ernest Mario school of Pharmacy
Former Bridge Fellow
Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology