Hello ASP! My name is Allison Bryant, and I am the new student representative to the ASP Council for the 2024–2025 academic year. I am a PhD student working with Dr. Matthew Bolek at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. I study taxonomy, lifecycles, and life history of coccidia in lizards. I have been a student member and have attended ASP since 2021, where my first meeting was virtual! I am glad to be able to continue to serve ASP not just as a student member but as the Student Representative.
The community ASP has built has been an exceptional tool in helping me and other students succeed in our academic careers. One of my goals as ASP Student Representative is to help students feel welcome in the community. Going to ASP meetings can feel intimidating for many students. That is why I recommend attending regional society meetings! I have attended every meeting of the Southwestern Association of Parasitologists (SWAP) since 2021. I have also been a member and attended meetings of the Rocky Mountain Conference of Parasitologists (RMCP) since 2020. These regional meetings are a great place to share your research, get feedback, and get to know other parasitologists without the stress of a national meeting. By allowing me more time to interact with other student and professional members of ASP, these regional meetings have given me the confidence and resources to continue my research and become the parasitologist I am today!
The Student Symposium I am planning for the 2025 ASP meeting will cover a topic that is controversial yet near and dear to many ASP members and that is Parasite Conservation. The symposium is still in the early stages of development, but I can’t wait to share more as we get closer to the 2025 meeting!
I am looking forward to serving as your Student Representative during the 2024-2025 academic year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email with any questions. See you all in 2025!
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