Winzeler Takes on Challenge in Career Shift

Alumni: Megan Winzeler

Degree: BS Wildlife Science

Graduation: 2013

Business Title: Outreach Project Coordinator II

Business: University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Lab

While an undergraduate in FNR at Purdue, I was involved in Dr. Rod Williams’ lab working on a research project and multiple outreach projects centered around amphibians and reptiles. I had technician jobs while a FNR student that ranged from sea turtle technician to woodland salamander technician. After graduation, I packed up and moved to Aiken, South Carolina where the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab (UGA SREL) is located to start my Master’s on the effects on contaminants on amphibian populations. While at UGA SREL, I was able to expand on my knowledge of outreach and communication from Purdue and help communicate the results of my research to local communities. Once finishing my Master’s, I received a job with the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) working with amphibian diseases. This job was a great experience learning about how national-scale surveillance studies are organized as well as the importance of wildlife veterinary medicine. NWHC was a great first experience in the work force but it was not a permanent position. I decided to make a career shift and work as an Outreach Project Coordinator back with UGA SREL. This has been a challenging shift but I am learning valuable skills to help communicate complicated science topics.

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