Austin D. Gray, Ph.D.
@austin_doug13
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@VT_Biology Assistant Professor| @globalchangevt Faculty Affiliate| Co-founder of @Diverse_SETACNA | @SETAC_world BoD| Views are my own
Blacksburg, VA
Joined March 2011
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Pinned Tweet
Thankful for the opportunity to share my experiences being a Black environmental scientist along with 3 others. The sad reality is that I only shared a small fraction of my experience.
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My mom messaged me about being careful what I post, employers may not hire me. I had to remind her if an employer doesn't hire me due to me speaking out about social and racial injustices, then that isn't a place I should be working at anyways.
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19 year old Austin cleaning glassware in
@weinstein_lab
aquatic tox lab.....Fast forward to 29 year old Austin, an aquatic toxicologist. You never know the journey life will take you on.
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It's an honor and with great excitement to officially announce that I’ll be joining the faculty at
@VT_Biology
as a TT Assistant Professor starting August 2021! I'm very excited about this opportunity to guide and mentor a new generation of scientist.
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Successfully defended my doctoral dissertation. One of the most grueling things I've ever experienced. But I am glad that I stayed the course.
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I truly love the work I do and I’m thankful I can share that love with my son.
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#BlackInMarineScienceWeek
#BIMSRollCall
Austin Gray, recently completed my dissertation. Prior to my PhD I spent 3 and a half years in the
@weinstein_lab
investigating microplastics in coastal waters, intertidal sediments, subtidal sediments, and salt marshes in South Carolina
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I didn’t know how this year would go as 1st year assistant professor but I am fortunate enough to have two young black men with the entire world ahead of them in my lab doing research. Both are seniors and never thought about ecotox prior. Representation matters
#BlackInStem
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I contemplated telling my truth for months now but as someone that actively encourages ppl to express theirs, I have to do the same. Towards the end of my dissertation I ended up dealing with verbal and emotional abuse from my advisor.
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#BlackinChemRollCall
Im a 4th year Ph.D candidate at
@bio_uncg
. I use mass spectrometry to detect in quantify antibiotics in freshwater environments. Associate in Research at
@DukeU
Co-founder of
@Diversity_SETAC
#BlackinChem
#massspec
#BlackinAnalytical
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@BlackInEnviron
roll call! I am Dr.Austin Gray, I received a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science from
@UNCG
, my research focuses on the impact emerging contaminants have on aquatic ecosystems. Incoming assistant professor
@VT_Biology
#BlackInEnvironWeek
#BlackEnvironRollCall
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One of the funniest exchanges this year was with my brother who thought that my role as an assistant professor was helping out and grading exams for the real professor 😂😂😂😂😂😂. All I told him was that there's more to it than that 😂😂
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Today is
#LovingDay
, not that long ago the love we share was illegal in the eyes of the law. Sadly people attitudes don’t change because of the law. One day we’ll live in a world where there isn’t so scrutiny based on who you love. Until then we’ll continuing ignoring society.
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Went by the gas station, grabbed some snacks, and went to survey some stream sites for an upcoming macroplastic degradation study that kicks off next week!
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Baby boy loves being outside! Showing him how cool streams are.
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@MollyBAtkinson
I don’t think any of us are actually getting all we need to do accomplished. Identifying what is urgent and what can wait is important. Be kind to yourself, not many people will extend you the grace you deserve, so make sure you give it to yourself.
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Undergrad I investigated the toxicity of personal care products. For my masters, I investigated microplastics in estuarine environments. During my PhD I investigated antibiotics in streams. I’m excited for the next part of my journey investigating environmental contaminants.
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I'm sure ppl from my old institution who know my advisor will run back and report what I've expressed. Keep in mind that when you take up for 1 abuser, many victims unbeknownst to you are watching.
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The Gray Aquatic Toxicology lab at
@VT_Biology
is currently accepting applications for one M.S. student and one Ph.D. student for Fall 2022. Interested students should send their CV and “letter of interest” to austindg
@vt
.edu. See the link to the flyer:
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Today is Milo's first birthday! Can't believe he is 1 already. Being his papa has been the greatest joy of my life. I cherish every second with my baby boy and am so thankful to Angie for bringing him into this world.
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This is actually very accurate regarding scientific conferences lol
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Three men from Charleston, SC who achieved more than what society expected. Two engineers and one PhD.
#BlackMeninSTEM
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Honored to be selected to participate in the 2020 Future Faculty Diversity Program (FFDP) at
@virginia_tech
Congrats to
@austin_doug13
for being selected as a Fellow in
@virginia_tech
Biology
@inclusiveVT
#DiversityandInclusion
#STEM
@bio_uncg
@UNCG_CAS
@UNCG_GradSchool
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There are few things as rewarding as walking into class and seeing the look of pride and joy on Black students faces when they see I’m their professor! Being a Black PI comes with its own baggage that test you but these moments remind me why I do what I do.
#RepresentationMatters
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More fun times with my baby boy. Mommy doesn’t approve of this position but she can’t say no to the smile it brings.
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With
#BlackInChem
trending, I don't want to hear "it's hard to find minorities interested in research" from any PIs. We go where we are celebrated, not tolerated.
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Very proud of this young man! He graduated from undergrad less than a week ago and this week presented his poster at this year
#JASM22
meeting! Excited to see what he accomplishes at the grad level.
#GrayToxLab
#BlackInSTEM
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3rd wedding anniversary to my best friend
@angielg19
, so thankful I get to go through life with you. Love you and life we’ve built, beyond measure!
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This is an important message regarding white privilege…
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Finished packing/loading up items from the old PhD lab at
@bio_uncg
(moreso office) to bring with me to Blacksburg. Looking forward to building my lab at
@VT_Biology
. If you told me 5 years ago when I started my PhD that I'd be at this point, I wouldn't have believed you.
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That’s a wrap! Today we concluded our 12 month long in situ study, tracking plastic degradation, fragmentation rates, and biofilm formation in urban and forested streams. Many UGs and grad students helped! Big thanks to Katie for coordinating and leading this effort for a year!
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Honored to have been nominated and awarded the 2021 SETAC Eugene Kenaga Membership Award. It's always nice to have your years of hard work in the society appreciated and acknowledged.
@SETAC_world
@Diversity_SETAC
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Huge congrats to Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks on a perfect season! Every time I see Coach Staley I think of this quote. Her athletes love her and she gets the best out of them because she cares and pushes them to new heights.
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This happened today! Pretty dope seeing my work reach over 1000 citations!
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As a black man in America I spent most of my 20s watching videos of my ppl killed unjustly at the hands of the police. I've seen many ppl justify their murders under the guise of "cops feared for their lives" or "they should have complied." Today was a hard day....
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Baby boy had to stay home this morning, so we ended up watching The Magic School Bus episode about wetlands and flood control. Never too early to get kids interested in water lol.
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Today is
#LovingDay
, honoring the Supreme Court decision in 1967 to make interracial marriage legal in Virginia. Without this ruling my own love story may have never happened. "Nobody has the right to tell another human being whom they should or can love."
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Probably one of the best lessons I’ve learned in 2022….also that good and perfect are not synonymous with each other. Cheers to 2023!!!!!
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Dope (noun): (1.) Accepting ones greatness. (2.) Ability to conquer all fears through the vision for success. (3.) The power to manifest destiny through the responsibility of thyself. (4) To live confidently and with purpose. Living to be free.
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6 years ago today I finished my Master's degree. Today is the day of my doctoral commencement (virtual) from
@UNCG_CAS
@bio_uncg
@UNCGAlumni
#UNCGNewAlum
#UNCGgrad
. The journey to get here has been long but it's just the beginning!
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Things are starting to get exciting in the Gray Lab 🔬💻
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Never thought my dissertation could be translated and made into a children's story! Thanks
@aliceinH2Oland
for such a thoughtful and creative gift. We read it to Milo before bed and he loved it!
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As fast as things change, some things remain the same ❤️❤️. From helping papa “write” his dissertation to helping papa “write” grant proposal lol
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In the end I was able to move on without them, cut all ties, get healthier, gain back weight I lost, and find what it was that made me love science all over again.
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Interested in microplastics and tire particles? Here’s a research highlight on work The Gray Lab is conducting at
@virginia_tech
on tire particles entering Duck Pond from car traffic nearby.
#microplastics
#tireparticles
#emergingcontaminants
#BlackinSTEM
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Between Milo’s smile and me munching on a McNugget, this is the perfect McDonald’s ad lol.
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Recently walked away completely from a DEI committee I founded and previously co-chaired (if you wanna know the details you can message me). Since doing so I have had less anxiety, stress, and my mental health has improved greatly. Sometimes you have to remember to put you first.
We also want to take a moment to let everyone know that it is OK to say no!We often spend so much time advocating for DEI initiatives that we forget to advocate for ourselves! Remember, it's OK to say no! It's OK to NOT work for free. It's OK to put your own well-being first!
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Yesterday was the end of my first yr as an assistant professor. It’s been eventful with more pros than cons thanks to friends and colleagues in
@VT_Biology
,especially
@FluvialBenthos
! collaborators
@EcoStressJess
and
@DrArialShogren
. And most of all my amazing wife
@angielg19
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I had a great time in Toronto visiting
@ChelseaRochman
, giving a seminar and meeting the amazing members of the
@eebtoronto
! Thanks for being an awesome host, friend, and role model!
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Today marks 17 years since my daddy passed. I intend to celebrate his life everyday that I can because life is a gift. He never got to see me become a man but his influence on me is the reason I am the father I am to our baby boy Milo. My daddy lives in us, he’s never truly gone.
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Holding my sleeping baby boy while writing up my dissertation has become a routine thing. I hope that once he's old enough, he will realize that his presence alone motivates his daddy in so many ways.
#AcademicChatter
#phdchat
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Last night we were able to fellowship together and continue building this community! The future is so bright for these students and I’m excited to see just how far and high they will go!
#BlackInSTEM
@BlackInEnviron
@BlackWomenPhDs
@BlackScienceNet
#RepresentationMatters
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“Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic environments”. Really nice review on some very important aspects of microplastic pollution and biogeochemistry
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One thing academia and society as a whole has done a great job of is excusing a person’s problematic, abusive, and harmful behavior because they are “important” or a “big deal” or “major contributor to the field.”
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Had the honor of hosting students from
@VT_BCI
this week. 100+ Black high school juniors and seniors from all over Virginia visiting the Gray lab and seeing what an aquatic toxicology lab does. It was great interacting and providing tips for undergrad.
#RepresentationMatters
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Tyler Allen, an undergrad in my lab, was awarded a GCC Undergraduate Research Grant. Tyler is a special kid and I’m honestly excited to see where life takes him, he has the whole world in front of him and I’m thankful he has this opportunity
#BlackInStem
.
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Gift from my grandma for completing my dissertation. She's a breast cancer survivor that has currently been battling polycythemia. My scholarly journey started when she would take me and my brothers to the library during summer vacations. This degree was never just about me.
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Today is the anniversary of the day we said "I do" ♥️♥️♥️
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Beija is an incoming student joining my lab in Fall 23. Last night, me and my family hosted her and her family along with some awesome graduate students from
@VT_Science
. As always, it’s great seeing every fellowship and build community.
#RepresentationMatters
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One major issue in our society regarding DEI progress? Having people who benefit the most from systemic and institutional policies that are barriers to underrepresented people also in charge of determining what applicants are qualified, exceptional, and professional.
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Nothing I do will ever be greater than being his “papa”.❤️❤️❤️
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A big misconceptions in grad school is that credentials = skills. A piece of advice for incoming grad students. Don’t stay comfortable, always challenge yourself. Just because you don’t HAVE to learn something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. The small things matter in the end.
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When we did talk it anything but constructive or proactive (I won't go into specifics). This destroyed all of my confidence. Led to hair loss, no sleep, and anxiety. My advisor made it clear that they were the gate keeper and my career wouldn't advance without them.
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When mommy is away we get ice cream before dinner 🥰🥰
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We’ve done a good job characterizing the particles (mainly tire wear particles) that are entering Duck Pond from nearby roadways, now working to characterize microplastics that are leaving the pond, moving downstream. Stay tuned! Very happy the Gray lab is continuing to grow!
As car tires deteriorate, they leave behind tiny particles — along with other emerging contaminants — that make their way into our waterways, including Stroubles Creek right here on campus. 🛞 💧
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If there is one foundational message I try to instill into students, it is this. I had to learn the hard way but I'm glad I learned.
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Took Tyler (undergrad in my lab) and Cameron (Master student in the Brown Lab) out yesterday to Stroubles Creek on campus to sample for microplastics and demo sediment extraction protocols. It was a great time outside talking about life while doing field work.
#BlackInStem
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Milo got home from daycare and wanted to add in some stuff to my presentation. He loves the keyboard lol
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I never had issues before this because in this time I had published 3 papers and secured external funding to conduct my work. But it's easy to support someone in success.
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Although
@DrJackson1112
and I are co-chairs of
@Diversity_SETAC
, the idea was all hers, she made it happen. I just want to congratulate this amazing woman on being voted onto the SETAC North America Board of Directors!!!
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My wife and I finished the Hulu show
#ATeacher
. 10 yrs later the student is still damaged. All while the teacher moved on and has a family. Her ability to move on despite her predatory actions shows that sick people never take responsibility or hold themselves accountable.
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Very proud of Tyler for this award ( Best Poster Presentation in Applied Research) and representing the Gray Lab so well at
#SFS2023
CONGRATULATIONS to
@VT_Biology
graduate student Tyler Allen on his
@BenthosNews
award for Best Poster Presentation in Applied Research on "A comparative assessment of green product toxicity" at
#FreshwaterDownUnder
#2023sfs
!!
@austin_doug13
@VT_Science
#VTStreamTeam
#SFS2023
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Some sunshine for your feed....Milo is four months old today! He's a very smiley baby ❤️❤️
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Twitter is a hotspot for performative allyship. A place where people can post and retweet to come across as an ally to underrepresented groups, yet their "love of diversity" or "longing for more diversity and inclusion" isn't reflected in their personal lives.
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I turned to my dept head eventually and he supported me in every way you could, I wouldn't have finished without him. It was a rough time having someone you cared for treat you in such a way.
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Issues seem to come after getting married, peak COVID , and adjusting to life with a newborn. Along with personal tragedies, this time was difficult. Even the writing was difficult for me.
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Home from
#JASM22
, tested negative but hoping to see more ppl test and share results so that we can be proactive and considerate of those we’ve engaged with over the past week.
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There’s not a price that you can put on building a genuine community! No negative energy, no gossip. Just positive vibes, love, encouragement, and support. I’ll always be thankful for these phenomenal students I get to engage with and mentor.
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Anybody who teaches environmental toxicology or ecotoxicology knows it is impossible to discuss environmental pollution and its impacts on human and environmental health without talking about racism and capitalism…
Jane Fonda: “There’d be no climate crisis if it wasn’t for racism”
Can someone be this stupid?
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Our baby boy is 2 years old today! I still can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. We love being his parents so much. Being his papa is the greatest gift I could ever receive! ❤️❤️❤️
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Happy Birthday to
#TrayvonMartin
, as we close the weekend celebrating my sons 3rd bday I am left thinking of his future.Not a day goes by I do not think of Trayvon. He never got to grow up, we never saw what he could become. I pray my son has a future in this cruel world 💔
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It's easy to pride yourself on science communication and outreach when you only engage people within the scientific community or in predominantly white spaces. How you engage and translate work to others is equally or more important in my opinion.
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Nice family hike today! Great having one day dedicated to just enjoying time together, no work...well as much as we can help it lol
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Friday nights are great because there's no daycare tomorrow. Saturdays are our designated family day. We've got pumpkin carving, funnel cakes and pizza scheduled (no pizza or funnel cakes for Milo tho).
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Been an eventful month and a half, Milo got COVID early December, luckily he was asymptomatic. Mom and papa got COVID a few weeks ago. He's been a good sport through it all. He's ready to return to daycare next week after a long hiatus and show off his new muscles lol.
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#BlackintheIvory
is emailing your department twice in a year whenever your university offered a DEI workshop and nobody but you and your spouse attended, then people coming to you to ask how they can do better with understanding racism.
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Another great Halloween with our little Ewok and great friends! The Gray family is keeping the Star Wars tradition alive!
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Facebook reminded me that I defended my dissertation 2 years ago today. Seems like forever ago in many instances. Behind the smile, It was one of the darkest times in my life but my wife
@angielg19
pulled me through. Words can’t express what she means to me.
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Busy week of departmental, college, and University level new Faculty orientations. Next week classes start. It was great meeting up with
@FluvialBenthos
today as she gifted me this
#VTStreamTeam
hat. Such an awesome way to end the week!
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Mama caught us napping. One positive of caring for a sick kiddo, you get cuddles all day long. One of the things I cherish most
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2 days, 11 sites, ~110 native and invasive crayfish. It was great having two days of field work but even better was engaging with these undergrads who taught me so much about crayfish and crayfish ID. I love learning and they were great teachers!
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Yesterday I was recognized at the Mid-Atlantic PREP and IMSD Research Symposium as the recipient of the Distinguished PREP Alumni Award. I was a PREP scholar at MUSC after I was unable to gain acceptance to PhD programs due to my GRE. Perseverance in the face of rejection is key.
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