Mary Bogert
PhD Student, Biological Sciences
I started my education at a two-year community college not knowing if I wanted to major in art or science. After just a few classes in my introductory biology course I realized I had to become a science major because of the all the unique animal and plant evolutionary adaptations I learned of. After earning my AS degree, I went on to earn a BS in Wildlife Biology with a minor in chemistry. Next, I earned a MS in organismal biology with my thesis research focusing on owl migration – I actually go into the forest and catch owls for my research! Now, I am a first-year PhD student who is still conducting research on owls; however, now I am also studying how to improve STEM education in- and outside of the classroom.
When I began school at community college, I often felt isolated and lost because I
had no support system – I did not know if I had what it took to graduate. I found
peers and mentors I could talk to which changed my whole outlook and now I am earning
my PhD. I owe a large part of this to the people who I met early on, but also the
many more along the way!
