Dr. Christina Anaya

Dr. Christina Anaya is an Assistant Professor of Conservation Biology in FGCU’s Department of Biological Sciences. She leads research that engages undergraduates and graduates in hands‑on field and laboratory studies of parasites, invasive reptiles and amphibians, and the diversity of horsehair worms. Dr. Anaya’s mentorship fosters authentic research experiences and professional development through presentations at regional and national scientific meetings.

Since Spring 2022, Dr. Anaya has engaged more than 150 undergraduate and graduate students in authentic research experiences, from field collections to parasite identification and molecular processing. Students work directly on projects involving invasive reptiles and amphibians, horsehair worm biodiversity, and parasite–host ecology. She regularly takes students to professional conferences—including national parasitology meetings—where they present their work and gain professional networking experience. Several of her mentees have continued on to graduate school, medical school, veterinary school, and careers in wildlife and biomedical fields. Dr. Anaya also incorporates structured active-learning strategies across her courses to engage students in the learning process, which include Parasitology, Invertebrate Zoology, Comparative Animal Physiology, Vertebrate Biology, and Senior Research I & II. Her classrooms and lab prioritize inclusive participation and skill-building.

Dr. Anaya is committed to sustained, individualized mentorship that supports students through every stage of their academic and professional development. Since 2022, she has guided more than 150 undergraduates and graduate students and 43 independent research students through research design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis, and scientific writing. She prepares her students to deliver presentations at regional and national meetings, to help gain confidence while disseminating their research. She provides structured pathways for students pursuing a range of careers, including graduate school, medical school, veterinary medicine, and wildlife and conservation positions. Her mentorship emphasizes independence, critical thinking, and professional identity, ensuring that students leave FGCU with strong research portfolios and the skills needed for competitive scientific careers.

Dr. Anaya’s work intersects biological sciences, ecology, molecular genetics, environmental studies, and public health, allowing her to cultivate interdisciplinary engagement across campus and beyond. Students from Biology, Environmental Studies, Forensics, Biochemistry, and related disciplines collaborate in her lab to study parasite biodiversity, invasive species, and host–parasite interactions. She collaborates with local agencies, conservation organizations, and citizen-science communities to connect scientific research with real-world environmental challenges. Through her teaching, outreach, and research collaborations, Dr. Anaya fosters a multidisciplinary environment that broadens students’ understanding of how parasitology interfaces with ecosystem management, wildlife health, and broader societal issues.

Dr. Anaya’s contributions in research, teaching, mentorship, and service have earned increasing recognition at both institutional and national levels. She has been invited to speak at professional conferences, contribute to society leadership, and participate in public science outreach events. Her students frequently earn presentation awards at scientific meetings, highlighting the strength of her collaborative research program and the high-impact experiences she provides. At FGCU she has been awarded the Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award and the Individual Junior Faculty Service Excellence Award.