Isabel Ramos ’25
I entered Pomona knowing I was interested in environmental biology and was a part of the Pomona Scholars of Science (PSS) cohort. Through this I was able to take my introductory biology and chemistry courses with other underrepresented students and it provided me with a community and mentorship that was crucial for fostering my interest in pursuing biology. However, it wasn’t until I took Introductory to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (41E) with Professor Hanzawa that I knew I wanted to major in biology. In this course I found a community of people who were also passionate about ecology and conservation. My study sessions felt like conversations with friends, and it gave me the opportunity to conduct research at the Bernard Field Station (BFS) for the first time!
What I love most about the biology major is its flexibility in allowing you to explore various topics. From conducting behavioral experiments with crickets to bird banding at the BFS to learning how to use Python for conservation applications, I’ve gained experiences across diverse fields, ecosystems, and research techniques.
Additionally, after being able to conduct research both through summer programs and with professors at Pomona, I’ve discovered my love for invertebrate biology and conservation. Whether running through a field of milkweed trying to catch pollinators in Michigan to working with Professor Meyer on a Hawaiian land snail conservation project for my senior thesis, I’ve been able to explore various topics within invertebrate conservation that I hope to continue after graduating.
Overall, every biology professor I’ve had at Pomona has a true passion for their subject and it shows in their teaching. The collaborative and supportive environment of the Biology Department has truly fostered my love for ecology and conservation, and I feel confident that the skills I’ve learned throughout my time at Pomona will serve me well as I pursue a career in conservation biology.
Jacob Ligorria ’23
I chose to major in biology because I am astounded by the plethora of organisms that I share the planet with. I am intrigued by the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and how species have adapted to thrive in the harshest of environments. In addition, I have known from a young age that I want to dedicate my life to conserving the world’s biodiversity and combating anthropogenic extinctions. Majoring in biology will enable me to study and understand ecosystems so that I can protect species that do not have a voice of their own.
One thing that I really love about the Biology Department is the approachableness of faculty members. As a first year, it was very intimidating to contact professors that I had never met before, but I quickly learned that they enjoy interacting with students. Whether it be at Oldenborg language tables, department events, or chance occurrences, biology professors often converse with students about topics ranging from juggling to their research experiences in the Arctic. I know that I can approach faculty members I have never taken classes with and ask them questions about studying abroad, discuss my academic course load for the next semester, or just chat with them.
I also appreciate how passionate professors are about biology and teaching students. I distinctly remember a lecture from my Introductory Genetics course, in which my professor talked about the foundational experiments that identified DNA as the carrier of genetic information. I could visibly see his excitement while he likened the experiments to fine art. My friends and I walked out of the lecture admiring his passion for biology and feeling even more energized about studying it.
Pomona’s biology classes prepare students to ask and answer their own scientific questions. I completed an independent project as part of the Insect Ecology and Behavior course I recently took. The assignment consisted of all the steps necessary to conduct scientific research, beginning with the formulation of a biologically significant question and culminating in the sharing of findings via a presentation and a scientific paper. I chose to investigate the effects of wind on Painted Lady caterpillar behavior because wind is a highly understudied environmental factor, despite having a nearly universal presence in terrestrial ecosystems. Although I conducted my experiment remotely, my professor ensured that I had all the supplies I needed to complete my project, including live caterpillars, and was always available to answer any questions I had. She readily gave me advice to improve the quality of my work and urged me to choose a research question that I was genuinely interested in. She, like other professors, sought to ensure that her students learned foundational research skills while enjoying their study of biology.
Although I am primarily interested in ecology, I have had the opportunity to explore other biological disciplines, including genetics and plant physiology. I participated in Pomona College’s Remote Alternative Independent Summer Experience (RAISE) program with a plant physiology professor as my mentor. I analyzed current scientific literature regarding telegraph plants, plants that move their leaflets very quickly, and identified the most prominent gaps in our understanding of leaflet motion to suggest future avenues of investigation. I was able to pursue the project not because I am committed to a career in plant physiology, but because I have a personal interest in studying plants. Biology majors are not confined to one area of life science but are encouraged to explore any and all interests they have.