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\u201cFSU\u2019s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration aligns perfectly with my aspirations.\u201d
\nAthlete: Played soccer for 12 yearsAnimal lover: Grew up with hedgehogs, gerbils and guinea pigsFamous ancestor: Is the great-great-granddaughter of Guglielmo Marconi (credited as the inventor of the radio)Favorite dorm: ReynoldsLoves academia: Wants to become a research professor<\/p>\n
Brooke Hagans was drawn to Florida State University\u00a0because of the university\u2019s support for undergraduate research and academic strength in\u00a0the biological\u00a0sciences. Now a biological science major, Hagans is involved with several labs conducting high-level research on animal behavior and marine ecology.<\/p>\n
As a 2025 IDEA Grant recipient, she is investigating how parasitic accumulation contributes to physiological stress and energy expenditure in Atlantic stingrays during pregnancy\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a project she developed after\u00a0observing\u00a0high parasite prevalence while working at the\u00a0FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory<\/a>. Hagans also works within Professor Emily DuVal\u2019s lab, where she analyzes 26 years of behavioral data to map the social networks and male status dynamics of lance-tailed manakins.<\/p>\n Beyond the laboratory, Hagans supports the FSU and Tallahassee communities by volunteering with the FSU Animal Society and walking dogs for Champs Chance, local organizations that prioritize animal well-being and conservation outreach.\u00a0After she completes her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree at Auburn University in Alabama under the supervision of\u00a0Professor Geoffrey Hill and become a research professor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why\u00a0did you choose\u00a0FSU?<\/p>\n I chose Florida State University because of its strong commitment to fostering academic excellence and hands-on research experiences. FSU\u2019s research opportunities, particularly in the biological sciences, stood out to me. Additionally, FSU\u2019s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration aligns perfectly with my aspirations to bridge animal behavior with ecological research.\u00a0<\/p>\n I was also drawn to\u00a0FSU\u2019s\u00a0vibrant community of researchers and the resources available to help students grow both academically and professionally. I knew\u00a0that\u00a0this university\u00a0would provide\u00a0an\u00a0ideal environment for me to pursue my academic and career goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n What academic achievements are you most proud of?<\/p>\n I initially joined a project under the mentorship of\u00a0Dean Grubbs,<\/a>\u00a0associate director of research\u00a0at the Coastal and Marine laboratory\u00a0and\u00a0doctoral\u00a0candidate\u00a0Annais\u00a0Muschett-Bonilla to investigate the energy expenditure of Atlantic stingrays during gestation.\u00a0While working on this project, I\u00a0noticed\u00a0a high prevalence of parasites in the controlled environment, which sparked my curiosity about how parasites might affect\u00a0the stingrays\u2019 health and energy use. This led me to apply for the\u00a0FSU IDEA Grant<\/a>, where I now study how parasitic accumulation during pregnancy contributes to physiological stress in these rays.<\/p>\n