Note: This story is part of an ongoing series profiling graduate students in the School of Life Sciences. See January's featured students here. 

Carmen Webster – Evolutionary Biology PhD  

The region of Amazonia in southern Colombia is lush, green, and riddled with palm trees. But not all the palm trees are equal: people in the region have been cultivating one species in particular, Astrocaryum chambira, colloquially called chambira, for thousands of years, using its leaves to make everything from roofs and textiles to ornaments and handbags.  

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The chambira’s leaves are stronger and tougher than those of its most closely related species. Carmen Webster, a PhD student in the Sanín lab, suspects the difference in the two species’ leaves is a result of the chambira's history of cultivation. But to prove her theory, she’s comparing the two palms’ DNA using samples she’s collected in the field over the last two years. 

"Chambiras are planted or grown in chagras, which are like personal gardens in rural communities, but that are embedded in the forest. It’s a kind of agroforestry, which is less invasive than traditional agriculture, and encourages the native biodiversity of the area,” Webster explains.  

“[My team] basically goes into the field and communicates with rural communities to ask them about which plants they use. Then if the species is one of the plants I’m studying, we ask permission to collect, then bring the leaf tissue sample home to sequence as much as we can of the whole genome... [The chambira’s] sister taxon doesn't have strong, fibrous leaves, and they're super short, and they break easily. So specifically, some of the things I'm looking for are selection or variation occurring within genes that play a role in leaf structure.” 

Webster is also interested in looking at how the palms evolved and when they became different species, as well as what’s driving some of the palms towards extinction, a line of research that she hopes will help inform real conservation decisions.  

Webster has always been interested in genetics and evolution. As an undergraduate at the University of Texas, El Paso, she did research on genes associated with learning and memory in Drosophila.  

“It was super interesting, but then I took a botany class during my last year of undergrad, and I was like ‘plants are where it’s at,’” she laughs.  

So, she pursued a master’s studying population divergence of Arctic plants, then took a job as a lab technician at ASU’s West campus, where she met her current mentor, María José Sanín.  

“It wasn't until I met María that I felt comfortable and confident enough to be able to pursue a PhD. And changing from Arctic plants to Tropical plants was also one of the coolest things I've ever done, too... the biodiversity in the Amazon is just absolutely bustling. And it’s been a super cool experience to learn how local and Indigenous people can and still use the forest today, how they coexist with it so well because they’ve been doing it for 1000s of years. That’s been a really rewarding part of my research.” 

Maxine McCarty – Evolutionary Biology PhD

At twenty-one years old, Maxine McCarty spent many of her days radiocarbon dating shards of bone that had been dug up from a Paleolithic cave in southern Italy. As a master’s student at the University of Oxford, she was part of a research team that investigated the chronology of one of the oldest anatomically human material cultures in Europe – a pursuit that could help answer questions about the migration and distribution of hominid species. 

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McCarty had grown up in Piedmont, California, and moved to the UK to do her bachelor’s of science in archaeology at the University of Durham. 

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist,” McCarty smiles, “For as long as I can remember, that’s always been my goal – I even wrote that it was my dream job in my first-grade yearbook.”

While at Oxford, though, McCarty moved away from more traditional archaeological methods, which often involve analyzing and categorizing artifacts at a surface level, and dove into the molecular level. Now, as a PhD student in the Stone lab, McCarty is still working with artifacts and studying ancient humans – just like she dreamed of doing as a kid – but now, she’s doing it by reading sequences of ancient DNA. 

“I love archaeology, but it’s super subjective. It’s cool to have a tool [like ancient DNA] that’s more definitive. We can make better conclusions with it.”

Scientists only started working with ancient DNA – or DNA that can be up to tens of thousands of years old -- in earnest in the 1990s, a little after the technology to sequence DNA in general was developed. Now, the young field of ancient DNA research is growing, and being used to answer questions about human anthropology, genomics, and evolution; in 2022, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to a Swedish ancient DNA researcher for his work sequencing neanderthal genomes and studying human evolution. McCarty was brought to the growing field with the aim to look into similar subjects. 

“I’m hoping my current research will allow me to delve deeper into human evolution -- looking more at how we came to be, and what adaptations we’ve accrued over time.”

McCarty aims to use ancient DNA to answer questions about the people who lived in southern Peru before European contact, filling in gaps in the archaeological record about those populations’ demography and ancestry. That work will help other researchers put together the pieces of the story of human evolution in the Americas. 

Additionally, McCarty also plans to study those populations’ interaction with tuberculosis, an infectious lung disease. For many years, scientists thought tuberculosis was a disease that Europeans brought to the Americas. But Anne Stone – McCarty’s advisor – helped provide evidence that tuberculosis existed in the America’s long before European colonization. McCarty plans to sequence the bacterial DNA of tuberculosis samples as old as 2000 years to try and find out what strains of tuberculosis existed in southern Peru back then, and how the disease spread.

Ancient DNA research can be difficult, though, because DNA samples that old are often too degraded to sequence. McCarty will be traveling to Peru this summer in hopes of finding bone samples that are good enough quality for her to use in her research.

“I’ve got to practice my Spanish,” McCarty laughs, “but I’m excited that I’ll get to go see where these samples I work with are from.” 

Shaela Patel, a SOLS sophomore studying conservation biology with a minor in sustainability and certificates in cross-sector leadership and environmental education, already has gained invaluable experience interning at SolarSPELL and her passion for making a tangible impact through teaching and conservation initiatives.

Patel's introduction to SolarSPELL came through a recommendation from Abby Johnson, who recognized Patel's dedication to sustainability and environmental education. SolarSPELL is a unique initiative that provides digital libraries powered by solar energy, designed to serve communities in areas with limited internet access. Her role as an intern focused on curating educational content for these libraries, specifically targeting sustainable agriculture and environmental practices.

"It was one of the best internship experiences I could’ve had," she said with enthusiasm, recalling her time at SolarSPELL. Her tasks ranged from creating accessible educational resources about coffee production in Rwanda to developing infographics that translated complex scientific articles into digestible content for rural communities. These efforts were aimed at helping local farmers adopt sustainable practices through easily understandable materials.

Following the spring semester, Patel continued her work with SolarSPELL over the summer, this time focusing on their Wikipedia for Schools project. This initiative aimed to curate content for students in South Africa and Lesotho, particularly those in elementary and middle school. Her goal was to find articles that were not only informative but also engaging and relevant to the students’ everyday lives.

"I found a lot of stuff on environmental education, personal sustainability and even ecotourism," Shaela noted, highlighting her commitment to making learning both fun and educational. Her love for animals also led her to add numerous entries on native South African species, allowing students to explore and learn about the wildlife in their own backyard.

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A passion for teaching and conservation

Patel’s passion for environmental education didn’t start at SolarSPELL. Her journey began years earlier as a volunteer at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, where she eventually worked as a summer camp educator. Teaching kids about animals, sustainability and conservation efforts sparked a realization that this was more than just a job—it was her calling.

Reflecting on her senior year of high school and her volunteer experiences, Patel shared, "The education I received made me realize that I could do something to address environmental problems, and that’s what inspired me to pursue this field." This hands-on approach to education, first shown to her by her high school marine biology and environmental science teacher, Mr. Fetkenhour, aims to empower young minds to take actionable steps towards a more sustainable future.

For Patel, the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing the direct impact her educational efforts have on the kids she teaches. Whether it’s through her involvement in SolarSPELL or her work at the Zoo, her goal remains the same: to inspire the next generation to care about the environment and to equip them with the tools they need to make a difference.

"Action comes directly from education," she emphasized. "You can't do anything to help the planet until you learn about it first." This belief drives her to continue her efforts in both environmental education and conservation, hoping to instill the same passion in others that was once sparked in her.

One of the unique aspects of SolarSPELL is its dedication to feedback and improvement. Shaela shared how the organization continually collects data from the communities they serve to refine their educational materials and tools. This loop of continuous learning and adaptation ensures that the resources they provide are both relevant and effective.

"The feedback we get is invaluable," Patel said. "It helps us understand what the communities need and how we can improve their educational experience." This approach not only enhances the learning process but also strengthens the bond between SolarSPELL and the communities it serves.

In the future, Patel hopes to work in veterinary science, yet she remains deeply committed to environmental education. "I not only want to go out and help animals, but I also want to teach other people how to help them too," she said. Shaela’s experience at SolarSPELL has broadened her perspective, showing her that her impact can extend beyond direct conservation to include educating others to continue the work.

For young people looking to make a difference, Patel's advice is simple: "Get educated and then take action." She believes that understanding the issues is the first step toward making meaningful changes, whether it’s through small personal actions or larger community initiatives. As she continues her studies and expands her impact in environmental conservation, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who will carry the torch of sustainability forward.

When most high school students consider their futures, the path to college often seems a straightforward journey. However, for those like Sierra Planck, who spent a significant portion of their youth in the foster care system, the road to higher education can be filled with uncertainty and unique challenges. Through the Arizona foster care system and help from Arizona State University, Planck is pursuing her passion for wildlife and conservation.

Having been in foster care for a long period of her youth, financial concerns and the complexities of navigating higher education as a foster youth were daunting. "I wasn't even sure that I would be able to attend university at that point in my life," Planck says. "I thought maybe I could afford going to community college and then transfer to ASU afterward." 

Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) collaborates with various organizations to provide educational assistance. This support extended beyond covering exam fees and help with college expenses, it also covered prom and extracurricular costs in high school. Contrary to common misconceptions, foster youth do not automatically receive free tuition at state schools; eligibility and application for scholarships are necessary steps. Among the notable scholarships Planck received were the Obama Scholarship and the Nina Scholars Legacy Program, founded by conservationist Nina Mason Pulliam to aid disadvantaged youth and adults.

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Upon turning 18, foster youth in Arizona can choose to exit the system or stay voluntarily until 21, receiving a gradually decreasing living stipend. For Planck, remaining in the system was a strategic choice, allowing her to focus on her education and ambitions. Determined to excel, she pursued a scholastic diploma, which included taking specialized classes, participating in a veterinary assistant program near ASU Polytech. Despite an initial interest in veterinary medicine, she soon realized her true calling lay elsewhere.

"I used the Kuder Career Navigator to explore various career options," she explains. "Eventually, I found my passion in conservation biology and ecology." This decision was bolstered by the practical experiences they sought out, including interviewing professionals in wildlife organizations and volunteering at a local animal shelter and the Phoenix Zoo.

Thriving at ASU: Clubs, research and community

Planck received her degree from the School of Life Sciences in conservation biology and ecology with a minor in sustainability.

Her time at ASU was marked by active involvement in various clubs and organizations. She was a member of the ASU Gardening Club, the Ocean Conservation Club, and the Nature at ASU Club, among others. These extracurricular activities provided a sense of community and opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and professionals.

In her freshman year, she participated in undergraduate research with Corina Logan, studying the behavior of the great-tailed grackle and how it adapts to urban environments. This experience, alongside the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, further solidified Planck’s commitment to fieldwork over laboratory settings.

"I started joining clubs relevant to my interests and hassling my advisors every semester to ensure I could complete my major, minor, and two certificates within four years," she recalls. The online format of many classes during the pandemic allowed them to manage an intense course load, sometimes taking up to 24 credit hours per semester.

"Flexibility has been key," she reflects. "I never wanted to have a rigid game plan because that can set you up for failure. By pursuing multiple qualifications and gaining hands-on experience, I've opened more doors for my future."

Making a difference through volunteer work

Volunteer work has played a crucial role in shaping Planck’s career trajectory. One notable project was the black-footed ferret spotlighting program with Arizona Game and Fish, which was introduced to her by the Central Arizona Chapter for the Society of Conservation Biology, where she participated in overnight shifts to locate and vaccinate these endangered animals. This experience led to a fortuitous introduction to Emily Thomas, president of the Maricopa Audubon Society. Thomas recognized Planck’s potential and recommended them for a summer internship with the Sonoran Audubon Society, focusing on the endangered yellow-billed cuckoo.

"The internship was from June to September, tracking population data for the yellow-billed cuckoo," she explains. "Upon completion this summer, I became certified to work with this endangered species." This certification, combined with her extensive volunteer work and an internship that spanned two summers paved the way for further opportunities.

Today, Planck is a board member for the Maricopa Audubon Society, holding the position of Publicity Coordinator. In this role, she manages the organization's Facebook page and participates in various outreach events, advocating for wildlife conservation and engaging the community.

Her dedication extends beyond personal achievements. She actively mentors other students, sharing their wealth of knowledge and resources. "I want to help pave the way and make the process less intimidating for others," she emphasizes. Helping others is another passion of hers, one that she gets to pursue alongside her love for conservation. Her efforts include creating a comprehensive resource guide for students interested in conservation biology, encompassing volunteer opportunities, resume-building tips and advice for navigating the field.