Authored by: Aubrey Pawlikowski This spring, the University of Georgia recognized two standout students from the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources as First Honor Graduates—an achievement reserved for undergraduates who maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout their academic careers, including all transfer coursework. Out of nearly 6,000 spring and 953 summer undergraduate degree candidates, only 152 earned this distinction. Among them were Sarah Carnes and Ryan Testino—two fisheries and wildlife majors whose paths through Warnell were as unique as their passions. Curiosity Without Borders Sarah Carnes came to Warnell with a clear goal: to study wildlife in a way few programs could match. “Warnell offered the unique combination of coursework, hands-on experiences, and faculty support I was looking for,” she said. With the support of Warnell faculty, Carnes secured competitive research internships—first at Yale University studying salamander physiology, then at Kyoto University exploring macaque vocalizations. “I wouldn’t have had access to these experiences without the guidance and encouragement of Warnell faculty,” she said. Maintaining a perfect GPA wasn’t without its challenges. Carnes described “long, exhausting nights in the library,” but said her passion for the subject kept her going. “I stayed motivated because I’m genuinely passionate about what I study,” she said. “Everything I was learning would be valuable in my future career.” Her commitment led to numerous academic honors, including two UGA Center of Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) Research Awards and membership in Phi Kappa Phi, a national academic honor society. She also contributed to the Warnell community—competing in the national quiz bowl with the Wildlife Society in fall 2023 and working in the Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology. She plans to attend graduate school at Kyoto University in Japan, where she hopes to study wildlife conservation at the Center for Ecological Research. While the opportunity is not yet finalized, she is actively applying for grants and scholarships to support her research on Yakushima Island. As she prepares for what comes next, she encourages other students to take full advantage of their resources. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty and staff,” she said. “They truly want to help and can open doors you didn’t know were there.” Hooked by Freshwater Science For Ryan Testino, college began with a focus on marine biology and a goal of researching sharks—but a chance conversation at the Lake Herrick boat ramp changed everything. There, he met Wesley Gerrin, a research and outreach professional at Warnell, and discovered a new path. “That conversation inspired me to add a fisheries major, and over time, my career interests transitioned from marine to freshwater systems—specifically, sportfish management.” A defining moment in Testino’s academic career was his senior thesis, which explored how to optimize sampling efficiency for invasive northern snakeheads in Georgia using ArcGIS spatial models. “It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience,” he said. The project reflected what drove him throughout his time at Warnell: a genuine passion for fisheries and a deep interest in the work itself. “I genuinely enjoyed the work I was doing—it rarely felt like busy work.” Warnell’s hands-on coursework and wide-ranging classes in fisheries science, he added, kept him engaged and excited about learning. Outside the classroom, Testino was equally dedicated. He was a four-year member of the UGA ice hockey team and capped off his senior season by being named College Hockey South’s Goaltender of the Year for 2024-25, as well as earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team. Off the ice, he served as co-conservation chair for the 5Rivers Fly Fishing and Coldwater Conservation Club and was a member of both the American Fisheries Society and the Xi Sigma Pi natural resources honor society. His commitment to academics and community involvement earned him the Presidential Award of Excellence, after being nominated by Dean J. Todd Petty for his leadership, service and academic achievement. He also received the Robert and Brenda Glasscock Fisheries Scholarship and the Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fisheries Scholarship in recognition of his passion for aquatic conservation and fisheries science. Testino has accepted a full-time technician position with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at the Buford Trout Hatchery, where he’ll assist with raising and stocking trout in North Georgia streams. He plans to pursue a master’s degree and a long-term career as a fisheries biologist. Reflecting on what prepared him most for the role, he pointed to his work with Dr. Jay Shelton. “One of my most meaningful experiences was working on Dr. Shelton’s aquatic sciences team,” he said. “I gained a variety of hands-on skills that helped me secure my first full-time job out of college.” For students just starting their journey, his advice is simple: “Make time to do what you love with people who share your passions.”
