You're only 18 years old with your whole life a head of you...what are your dreams?
My dream is to work with the incredible diversity of animals that inhabit our world, and work to restore these populations that are declining at a very rapid rate. I would like to do this through breeding programs, habitat restoration and educational outreach. I particularly love doing educational outreach. I believe one cannot love what they don't understand. When people get to see reptiles, amphibians, fish, or any animal for what they really are (essential to our ecosystems, unique, fascinating, and not out to hurt you), they feel more attached and more inclined to care for these species.
Photo: Jude Rubin, Northwest Institute, YES! Program - Lauren holding a crab during a field day.
Why does science excite you?
I love science because it allows me to answer the unanswered. Not only does science allow us to understand the world around us, but it is also allows us to improve our world. Without having an understanding of what causes a problem, we can't start to fix it. The beauty of science is that you can ask any measurable question, and use tools to try to find an answer. Then we can apply that answer to a problem, and attempt to make a positive change.
You're particularly interested in herpetology, why?
Because frogs, toads, and snakes are different from any other animal. Simple as that. They're beautiful, fun to handle, and very misunderstood by most people.
Photo: Jude Rubin, Northwest Institute, YES! Program - Lauren with a red-legged frog
What's IHS?
It's the International Herpetological Symposium. It's an academic conference held in the U.S. each year where many of the world's top herpetologists meet to discuss new findings in the field of herpatology. In 2015, they were holding their first annual "Junior Herpetologist Award Contest" for teenagers. I wrote a cover letter about my work, got a few letters of recommendation, and wrote a research paper on the Western Toad. I entered and won runner up in my age category! I was chosen to attend IHS in San Antonio, Texas that year. I met a lot of inspiring herpetologists and other young herpetologists. After this, I would go full force into studying herpetology and working with reptiles. I applied again in 2016 and won runner-up again, attending that conference as well. And again in 2017, where I won the Junior Herpetologist Award in my age category. I attended that conference last summer in Rodeo, New Mexico.
Lauren at the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve taking a picture of the hundreds of Western Toad tadpoles in the water
What's Lizardopolis?
I started Lizardopolis in 2014 when I was in 9th grade. It's a business that I started to give more outreach presentations about herpatology. Through Lizardopolis I have had the honor of teaching over a 1000 students in Jefferson County. I have been to Blue Heron, Chimacum, Swan, Quilcene, Grant Street, Cedarbrook Adventist, Sunfield Farms, YMCA summer camp, Twister's Gymnastics summer camp, and Camp Casey summer camp for kids with disabilities. But this is only the beginning for me. I plan to continue with Lizardopolis through college and beyond, because I love teaching people about animals and why they are important!
Lauren and Claire teaching a group of kids about corn snakes during a "lizardopolis" presentation
What are your plans for the fall? And what lab will you be working in?
This fall I will be attending Central Washington University. I plan to get my Bachelor's Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I am going to be working with Dr. Daniel Beck and a couple of his herpetology students, doing research on Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus). I will also be doing an Honor's Thesis project, which will be animal and/or herpetologically oriented. After I finish my Bachelor's Degree, I plan to continue my education and go on to get my Master's Degree and possibly my Ph.D.
Thank you Lauren for taking the time to answer our questions! We loved to learn more about you, and are honored to have worked with you. We wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of life!
Lauren has volunteered with NOSC on numerous occasions, and also just won the Paul G. Ancich Memorial Scholarship. The Ancich Scholarship was created in 2011 by the
Regional Fisheries Coalition (RFC) as a memorial scholarship to commemorate the conservation efforts of Paul G. Ancich. Ancich was a commercial fisherman who strove to prevent the decline of salmon and salmon habitat. This perpetual scholarship was designed to support the aspirations of students with goals of a natural science profession within Washington State. Lauren was a perfect fit for this scholarship, and NOSC was proud to have played a role in rewarding Lauren with it.
