Christian Brown
Year Graduated: 
2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of South Florida, Integrative Biology

Job description

As a PhD candidate and graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Florida, I wear many hats. Most of my time is split between collecting data in the lab, writing manuscripts, preparing lesson plans and teaching labs (e.g., comparative vertebrate anatomy, vertebrate zoology, mammalogy, physiology, introductory biology). In my spare time, I work with graduate students at the USF Writing Center and co-lead the grassroots movement to save the USF Forest Preserve from development (#saveusfforestpreserve). I also serve as wildlife biologist for nature documentaries on occasion.

Why did you choose this program?

Ultimately, it was talking with fellow student researchers at a field station in Colorado that led me to Humboldt Biological Sciences. The expertise of the department's faculty combined with a strong emphasis on teaching seemed like the perfect situation for a wayward master's student like myself. At bigger universities, it can be tough to get meaningful one-on-one time with professors and researchers. In choosing this program, it certainly did not hurt that salamanders roam the redwood forests behind campus.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

This program played a huge role in shaping me not just as a scientist or a professional but as a person, and it's tough to express just how critical that has been for my success and happiness ever since. I gained experience in teaching and research that would serve me well in my PhD endeavor; more importantly, I gained the confidence to do these things independently. During the program, I also learned that succeeding at work means taking time to do things you love at home. Gardening, hiking, and just hanging with my dog are strategies I picked up while at HSU that still help me achieve balance today.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

I truly enjoyed the personal and professional bonds formed at HSU. The nice thing is that these relationships can persist after graduation leading to research collaborations and really great reunions down the road. The internal environment of the biology program certainly fostered many of these connections.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

If part of what you're looking for in a college experience is inspiration, look no further. The landscape and diverse ecosystems, the tallest trees on Earth, and the wonderfully weird people drawn to this community make this place extremely special. This is the type of place where you can keep your head in the clouds, and while the view may be foggy there's just so much to discover!

Other comments?

New York Times Article including some of my research: It’s Not a Bird or a Plane. It’s a Skydiving Salamander

Christian Brown, 2017 »
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of South Florida, Integrative Biology

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