Christina Anaya Profile

Christina Anaya was born and raised on the west coast of California. She became interested and then fascinated with the biological world after attending a 2-week field course in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. With a focus on field biology including plant ecology and conservation biology, she received her bachelor's from Cal Poly. While in school, she worked in private consulting surveying, protecting, and monitoring threatened and endangered species. However, it was during her first year of a master's program that she found a lovely parasitic worm that changed her life. After learning it was a new species, she was invited to the laboratory of one of the world's experts. There she was trained in the biology and culturing of hairworms and eventually received her Ph.D. in parasitology. Combined with her love of insects, the worms have taken her to Oklahoma, Iceland, and most recently, Florida. Being concerned for the environment, it was in Iceland where she realized her plan to study the impact of climate change on the biology, ecology, and distribution of parasites and their hosts. During her time as a graduate student, she realized the importance of sharing science and training the next generation of students to be scientists. Specifically promoting and engaging underrepresented groups in STEM. She was attracted to Florida for its diverse parasite and insect fauna but more importantly, to FGCU for its commitment to student learning and engagement in student research.

Professional Memberships:

• The American Society of Parasitologists
• Icelandic Ecological Society
• Icelandic Biological Society
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
• American Association of University Women