First-Gen Spotlight: Amanda Suzzi

Amanda Suzzi (she/her/hers) is a first-year PhD student whose research interests are centered on spatial ecology, conservation, and environmental science. If you would like to connect with Amanda, follow her everywhere @funkepunkemonke!

1. Where do you call home? Baldwinville, MA
2. What is a quote that you live by? “If you don’t know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.” — Ayn Rand
3. What do you see yourself doing in the future? Research and Teaching
4. If you could switch fields/careers, what field/career would you want to work in/have?* Marine Biology
5. What frustrates you the most about academia? Being underestimated because I’m a woman.
6. What are three things you can’t live without?* Coffee, my partner, and my cell phone
7. What message do you hope your research conveys to the public? Ecosystems are interconnected and complex. Not only do they cross political boundaries, they also cross cultural boundaries.
8. Who do you do this for? Myself
9. What is your proudest moment (so far)?* Having my advisor refer to me as a master in R programming!
10. What is one piece of advice you would give to other first-gen students? Don’t give up. Find somebody who can guide you.

*borrowed from the 46 Questions blog!