Meet Our FNR Ambassadors

FNR Ambassadors are student volunteers who share their passion for the department and Purdue with visitors to campus. Whether the visit is from a prospective student, alumnus, tour group, or one of the department’s many stakeholders, ambassadors assist in providing visitors with useful information, answering questions about the department’s programs, and showcasing the caring and collaborative atmosphere.​

Name: Nadia Batiz
Major: Aquatic Sciences – Freshwater and Marine Biology on a Pre-Veterinary Track
Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
Email: nbatiz@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Boiler Gold Rush, off-campus living, club involvement, wellness and recreation on campus, undergraduate research

I am a junior in Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Freshwater and Marine Biology on a Pre-Veterinary Medicine track. I hope to pursue a career as an aquatic veterinarian working in rescue and rehabilitation along the coast. I work in the Wainwright Lab, where we study fish scale morphology and evolutionary patterns of fish surfaces. I am also a teaching assistant for Ecology and Systematics of Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles and Animal Products within the College of Animal Sciences. Outside of academics, I am involved in the Outing Club and the College Democrats of Purdue University and enjoy
running, yoga, and baking. For the past two Augusts, I have also served as a Boiler Gold Rush team leader, where I have gained valuable leadership and communication experience. My favorite College of Agriculture experiences have been the hands-on opportunities to work with animals in my Animal Science classes.

Name: Amara Brenton
Major: Aquatic Sciences - Freshwater and Marine Biology
Minor: Urban Forestry
Hometown: Lafayette, Indiana
Email: abrenton@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Club leadership, college employment, climbing trees, undergraduate research, bees, off-campus living

I am a junior majoring in Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Freshwater and Marine Biology and minoring in Urban Forestry. I am currently the president of the Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture, also known as the tree climbing club. This summer, I attended FNR Summer Practicum, where I sampled fish, crayfish, and macroinvertebrates. I also returned for my second year as a field technician at the Purdue Honeybee Laboratory, where I assist graduate students with their projects. Last summer, I conducted a research project studying the effects of semaglutide on honeybee function. My favorite part of my FNR experience so far has been getting my hands wet during fieldwork!

Name: Brianne Brummett
Major: Wildlife
Minors: Forest Ecosystems
Hometown: Columbus, Indiana
Email: brummetb@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: FNR summer practicum, Boiler Gold Rush, The Wildlife Society, pursuing a minor, off-campus living, getting involved on campus

I am a senior majoring in Wildlife with a minor in Forest Ecosystems. I switched into FNR during my second semester at Purdue and knew I had found my place. I love making connections with peers and FNR staff, exploring unique clubs, and embracing the hands-on experiences offered both in and outside of class. I particularly enjoy species identification courses and field labs at Martell Forest and Purdue Wildlife Area, where I can put my skills into practice. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in wildlife biology, habitat management, or ecological conservation within the National Parks System.

Name: Maria Cesco
Major: Aquatic Sciences - Marine and Freshwater Biology
Minor: Spanish for the Professions
Hometown: Mishawaka, Indiana
Email: mcesco@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Plant genetics research lab, outdoor activities, mollusks, fish, All American Marching Band

I am a sophomore in Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Freshwater and Marine Biology. I have wanted to study this field for as long as I can remember, so I am incredibly grateful to be here! I am interested in conservation, water quality, and all things mollusks and gastropods, our shelled friends! I also have three years of landscaping experience and experience working in a botany research lab, which have helped me become more familiar with plant species. I love hiking, fishing, gardening, arranging flowers, and taking time to appreciate the natural world around us. In my free time, I enjoy watercolor painting natural landscapes and being a part of Purdue’s All-American Marching Band (AAMB). I am excited to get to know new and existing Purdue students, so feel free to email me anytime with questions!

Name: Brett Cox
Majors: Forestry
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Email: cox498@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Study abroad, on-campus involvement, student organizations, environmental education

I am a sophomore in Forestry and am still deciding on a concentration. I am a member of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), Student Chapter of Environmental Education (SCEE), and Woodcarvers of Purdue. This summer, I participated in FNR’s Sweden/Norway study abroad with students and faculty from Purdue and NC State. My favorite memories from the trip were seeing the midnight sun and exploring the Umeå arboretum, which features trees from around the world.

Name: Zoe Crofton
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Union Mills, Indiana
Email: zcrofto@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Study abroad, off-campus living, being a teaching assistant, summer practicum, field work, seasonal work

I am a junior in Wildlife and am minoring in Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Freshwater and Marine Biology. I enjoy working in the field, which reflects my interests in natural resource management and ecosystem restoration. Two of my favorite college experiences have been studying abroad in Costa Rica during spring break and attending FNR Summer Practicum. I am also a teaching assistant for Dendrology, a role I really enjoy. Over the past two summers, I have worked as a Natural Resource Management Technician at Indiana Dunes State Park, where I have gained extensive experience with invasive species removal. After graduation, I plan to pursue field-based positions for a few years before transitioning into environmental education and potentially pursuing a master's degree.

Name: Marina Dhillon
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Email: dhillonm@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: FNR summer practicum, field gear, internships, study abroad, on-campus involvement, changing majors, being a non-traditional student, pre-vet interest, making friends, finding your path at Purdue

I am a senior majoring in Wildlife with a minor in Aquatic Sciences. I joined FNR during my sophomore year after learning about the hands-on opportunities and outdoor labs offered through the Wildlife program. After taking my first species identification course, I knew I was on the right path. Throughout my time at Purdue, I have been involved with the Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, the American Red Cross Club of Purdue University, and the Purdue Pre-Veterinary Medical Association. Last summer, I attended FNR Summer Practicum, where I gained valuable field skills, and I have also spent two summers interning at a raptor rehabilitation center in Huntertown, Indiana. Some of my favorite FNR memories include fishing with friends during practicum and studying abroad in Costa Rica with my classmates. After graduation, I hope to work as a wildlife technician, attend graduate school, and eventually pursue a career in conservation or with the DNR.

Name: Addison “Addy” Ellis
Majors: Aquatic Sciences - Freshwater and Marine Biology, Political Science - Environmental Politics and Policy
Minor: Natural Resources and Environmental Science
Hometown: Munster, Indiana
Email: ellis230@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: John Martinson Honors College, College of Agriculture Dean’s Scholars Learning Community, certificate programs, double majoring, volunteer opportunities, undergraduate research, finding your place on campus, scuba diving

I am a sophomore double majoring in Aquatic Sciences and Political Science. I am also a member of the John Martinson Honors College (JMHC) and the College of Agriculture Dean’s Scholars program, both honors and leadership-based communities. I am passionate about protecting fish, reptile and amphibian species and look forward to studying the intersection between nature and policy-driven solutions. Outside of academics, I love scuba diving and exploring underwater ecosystems, which I was fortunate to experience during FNR’s Costa Rica study abroad in 2026! I am also an avid climber, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast who wants to help others succeed in finding their path at Purdue. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I am happy to help!

Name: Collin Frost
Major: Aquatic Sciences-Fisheries Concentration
Hometown: West Lafayette, Indiana
Email: frost42@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Undergraduate research, American Fisheries Society, internship opportunities, Great Lakes Practicum

I am a senior majoring in Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Fisheries. I currently serve as president of the Purdue Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and am involved in undergraduate research studying larval bloater diets across Lake Michigan. I enjoy my classes at Purdue and am always happy to share my experiences with others! After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and continue conducting fisheries research.

Name: Delia Heet
Major: Wildlife
Hometown: Mishawaka, Indiana
Email: Heetdr01@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Pathway to Purdue Agriculture, Bird Banding, Purdue Jazz Bands, URBA Living, Wilderness Survival, Club Participation

I am a sophomore in FNR studying Wildlife. I came to Purdue with a strong background in nature and the outdoors through Scouting America. This past summer, I completed my fourth year working as a Scouting America camp counselor in Michigan, where I taught wilderness survival techniques, pioneering, and other outdoor skills. At Purdue, I have continued to pursue hands-on experiences through opportunities such as the Bird Banding Lab while also exploring my personal interests in jazz band and wildlife photography. After graduation, I hope to work as a wildlife technician or park ranger with the National Park Service.

Name: Dani Hoffman
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Forest Ecosystems
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Email: hoffm316@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: FNR summer practicum, FNR student council, being a teaching assistant, finding ways to get involved with your major both on and off campus

I am a junior majoring in Wildlife and minoring in Forest Ecosystems. I originally came to Purdue with the intention of becoming a veterinarian but fell in love with natural resources and the Wildlife program. I currently serve as vice president of FNR Student Council and am a teaching assistant for an Applied Ecology course with Dr. Shee. After spending five weeks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during FNR Summer Practicum, I became interested in studying birds. I continued exploring that interest this summer by volunteering at a local raptor rehabilitation center in my hometown and am working to gain more experience with different bird species. After graduation, I hope to continue my education and become further involved in research.

Name: Jillian Kaufman
Major: Wildlife
Minors: Forest Ecosystems, Environmental Engineering, Urban Forestry
Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
Email: jkaufma74@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Purdue Disability Resources (DRC), living on campus with a disability, The Wildlife Society, Bird Club, Ivy Tech dual enrollment/credit transfer, Audubon Society, Zollner Lab

I am a sophomore majoring in Wildlife with minors in Forest Ecosystems, Environmental Engineering, and Urban Forestry. I began at Purdue as an Environmental Biology major in the College of Science but switched to Wildlife halfway through my freshman year. I fell in love with the hands-on, practical experiences offered through FNR compared with the more theory-based science of Environmental Biology. I am also part of Purdue’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) program and use a mobility aid to navigate campus. On campus, I am a certified drone pilot and technician in the Zollner Lab, president of the Bird Club, a member of The Wildlife Society, and involved in other research projects such as Northern Saw-whet Owl banding.

Name: Reese Kent
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Email: kent49@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Working in research, balancing jobs with school, The Wildlife Society, FNR Student Council, Eastern Bluebird Conservation

I am a junior majoring in Wildlife with a minor in Aquatic Sciences. I currently serve as the Hunting and Conservation Working Group leader for the Purdue Chapter of The Wildlife Society and as secretary of the Forestry and Natural Resources Student Council. I am also leading a project at Meigs Purdue Agricultural Center focused on Eastern Bluebird conservation through the use of nest boxes. This past summer, I attended FNR Summer Practicum in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where I gained hands-on experience and a better understanding of what it is like to work in the field as a wildlife professional. My favorite FNR experiences have been involved with The Wildlife Society and working with Eastern Bluebirds. After earning my bachelor's degree, I plan to take some time to gain additional experience before attending graduate school to further focus on wildlife conservation and community education.

Name: Paige Lawrence
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Georgetown, Indiana
Email: lawre113@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: student musical organizations, prescribed fire, The Wildlife Society, pursuing a minor in another language, FNR summer practicum, working for Purdue, club involvement, accommodated testing

I am a senior in Wildlife with a minor in Spanish. I participated in The Nature of Wild Things learning community during my freshman year and knew I wanted to pursue a degree in Wildlife within FNR. I enjoy volunteering on prescribed burns through FNR’s fire ecology course and performing in the University Choir as part of Purdue Musical Organizations. I am interested in research, conservation, and education, and my goal is to work as a wildlife biologist for a government agency while helping others learn about wildlife conservation. After graduation, I plan to pursue my master's degree and gain field experience while traveling throughout South America.

Name: Collin Morris
Major: Forestry – Forest Management Concentration
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
Email: morri659@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Environmental Education, Society of American Foresters, being a teaching assistant, Study Abroad, field work, my favorite tree

I am a junior majoring in Forestry with a minor in Wildlife Science. I currently serve as a teaching assistant for Dendrology, president of FNR Student Council, and treasurer of the Purdue student chapter of the Society of American Foresters. Last summer, I worked with the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment conducting forest surveys. My favorite FNR experience so far has been studying abroad in Costa Rica over spring break. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and earn my master's degree.

Name: Lydia Pultorak
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Brazil, Indiana
Email: lpultora@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: undergraduate research, teaching assistant, FNR Costa Rica study abroad, summer internships, technician positions, songbird and owl banding

I am a senior majoring in Wildlife with a minor in Aquatic Sciences. Throughout my undergraduate career, I have participated in several research projects focused on birds. Currently, I am studying the flight strategies of migratory birds using weather surveillance radar, American Barn Owl diets through pellets collected at Indiana roost sites, nocturnal singing in songbirds, and PFAS presence in Northern Saw-whet Owl feathers. I also lead a project focused on monitoring and mitigating bird-window collisions on campus and have worked as a teaching assistant for vertebrate identification labs. I am happy to answer any questions you have!

Name: Katie Schouten
Major: Forestry – Forest Management
Minor: Wildlife Sciences
Hometown: Leiter's Ford, Indiana
Email: kschout@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Student organizations, environmental non-profit organizations, maple syrup production, intramural sports

I am a sophomore majoring in Forestry with a concentration in Forest Management and a minor in Wildlife Sciences. I am a member of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture (PSSA). Over the summer, I worked for the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund (LMEF) in Culver, Indiana, where I learned about lake management and wildlife protection. One of my favorite projects was monitoring osprey nests and watching the birds grow from hatchlings to fully fledged juveniles. My favorite memory as a Forestry student so far has been attending Conclave with SAF, where I met others in the forestry field and competed in a variety of timber sports events.

Name: August South
Major: Wildlife
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Fort Campbell, Tennessee
Email: apsouth@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Being a nontraditional student, transferring to Purdue, work-study, The Wildlife Society, undergraduate student research, ornithology, local volunteer opportunities

I am a sophomore and a nontraditional student majoring in Wildlife who transferred to Purdue University from Ivy Tech Community College after meeting other Wildlife students and learning about the hands-on, practical opportunities available through FNR. Since transferring, I have become actively involved in the FNR community. I work as a technician in the Hoverman Aquatic Community Ecology Lab, where I assist with graduate research projects, including a study on the impacts of Eastern Hellbenders on stream ecosystems. I am also involved with the Purdue Songbird Banding Lab and a research team studying the roosting ecology of White-throated Sparrows in their non-breeding range. I currently serve as vice president of the Purdue student chapter of The Wildlife Society, a student representative for the Indiana Chapter, and a student representative to the Sycamore Audubon Society. In the future, I hope to pursue a career that combines wildlife conservation and community outreach, allowing me to engage with and educate the public.

Name: Kylee Thorson
Major: Wildlife and Forestry – Forest Management
Minor: Aquatic Sciences
Hometown: Bainbridge, Indiana
Email: thorson@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Women in Ag Learning Community, double majoring, student organizations, Summer Practicum, volunteer opportunities, undergraduate research

I am a junior double majoring in Wildlife and Forestry with a concentration in Forest Management and a minor in Aquatic Sciences. I currently serve as president of the Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society. This summer, I attended FNR Summer Practicum in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where I gained valuable field experience in wildlife management. After practicum, I worked in Dr. Jeff Dukes’s Forest Ecophysiology Lab at Martell Forest. I also work as a Flight Crew Technician in Dr. Zollner’s lab, partnering with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to gather data on deer, turkey, and coyotes across Indiana. Some of my favorite FNR experiences have been serving as a leader in The Wildlife Society and participating in volunteer opportunities with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Indiana DNR. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in wildland fire management.

Name: Lauren Toepp
Major: Wildlife and Aquatic Sciences – Freshwater and Marine Biology Concentration
Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
Email: ltoepp@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: Study abroad (Costa Rica or Sweden/Norway), The Wildlife Society, American Fisheries Society, FNR summer practicum, living off-campus, transfer student experience, SCUBA club, undergraduate research

I am a junior double majoring in Wildlife and Aquatic Sciences. I transferred to Purdue after studying aviation at another university and have since become involved in as much as possible within the department. I serve as the herps (amphibians and reptiles) working group leader for The Wildlife Society, a student council representative for the American Fisheries Society, and an FNR Ambassador. I am also involved in undergraduate research in the Hoverman and Wainwright labs, working on invertebrate and fish scale studies. I have participated in FNR study abroad programs in both Costa Rica and Sweden/Norway, where I made deeper connections with professors and had amazing opportunities to discover new animals. I also became SCUBA certified through Purdue’s SCUBA Club and was able to dive during the Costa Rica study abroad. In the future, I hope to work with marine life along the coast and help protect oceans and the organisms that rely on them!

Name: Karl Wing
Major: Wildlife
Hometown: Dyer, Indiana
Email: ktwing@purdue.edu
Ask Me About: White-throated Sparrow research, Purdue bird collision project, working with the DNR, being a nontraditional student, The Wildlife Society

I am a junior and a nontraditional student majoring in Wildlife. Before coming to Purdue, I worked at Indiana Dunes State Park alongside several FNR alumni. Hearing their stories about practicum, professors, and classes inspired me to follow a similar path. Since joining Purdue, I have helped study the roosting and diurnal ecology of White-throated Sparrows in their non-breeding range, documented bird collisions around campus, participated in the Purdue Songbird Banding Lab, and served as secretary of the Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Outside of Purdue, I work for the Indiana DNR as a Resource Manager, helping maintain remnant tallgrass prairies. This past summer, I also attended FNR Summer Practicum in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where I gained extensive field experience. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, foraging, birding, and hunting. I look forward to meeting everyone this year!