M.S. student Erika Klar is from Hamilton, Georgia, who came to the University of Georgia as an undergraduate in 2016 and graduated from Warnell with a Bachelor’s of Forest Resources in Wildlife Science and a minor in Biology in May 2021. She started her undergraduate degree in the College of Agriculture as a pre-vet animal science major, but transferred to Warnell her senior year to pursue a wildlife science degree. Since she was little, she has always had a passion for animals and genetics, and found another passion in wildlife disease after transferring to Warnell. For a year after graduating, she worked as a technician under the direction of Dr. Brian Shamblin working on genetic research with sea turtles and other aquatic organisms. Here, she gained valuable molecular skills including PCR, Sanger sequencing, gel electrophoresis, and DNA extractions. She is now pursuing a Master of Science in Natural Resources under the direction of Dr. Susan Wilde. Klar is excited to have the opportunity to combine her passions into a singular thesis project to further her professional development. Research Labs/Centers/Committee: Vacuolar Myelinopathy (VM) Research by Dr. Susan Wilde Area of Specialty: Biology/Ecology Wildlife Ecology and Management Research Interests: Molecular techniques, wildlife disease, plant pathology, ecotoxicology
