Rayna Bell

Rayna Bell first got involved  in January 2006 during her junior year as a DNA lab assistant under Craig Moritz and his PostDoc, Jason Mackenzie, working on the Australia Wet Tropics Project on Hylid Frogs and Scincid Lizards.  She had taken IB 160 in the fall of 2005 and it had attracted her to looking into opportunities at the MVZ.  In the Spring of 2006, she also took IB175 and helped with the CalDay displays and activities.  She also took IB 104 in the Spring of 2007, and helped once again on CalDay 2007.  She continues her work with Professor Moritz to this day, and is expecting to help with field work in Australia this April 2008.  She is currently applying to graduate programs in ecology and evolution.

 “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the MVZ over the past two years. I have been provided with exceptional opportunities to learn molecular techniques, gain experience in field work, and enhance my knowledge and understanding of evolution and ecology through my research project. Conducting research in the MVZ and enrolling in MVZ-affiliated courses was a great way for me to guide my interests in biology and meet professors, post-docs, graduate students and undergrads that share my interests. It’s been a great experience and I will be sorry to leave when I start graduate school in the fall.”