Winzeler Takes on Challenge in Career Shift

Story by Megan Winzeler

December 2, 2019

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.

Alumni Stories Alumni Awards Research Areas

Graduate Opportunities Connect Give a Gift

Featured Stories

Dr. Ken Kellner at a computer; Kellner teaching; Kellner at Denali National Park.

Dr. Ken Kellner Named Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipient

Dr. Ken Kellner, who earned his master’s degree (2012) and PhD (2015) from Purdue and...

Dr. Joe Robb releases ducks with his son Jason; Dr. Joe Robb on a prescribed fire scene; Dr. Joe Robb holds a hognose snake.

Dr. Joe Robb Earns Chase S. Osborn Award in Wildlife Conservation

Dr. Joe Robb, who has spent the last 26 years serving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the...

Dr. Zackary Delisle holding two frogs as a child; Dr. Zackary Delisle holding a cottonmouth snake during his master's degree research; Dr. Zackary Delisle doing an aerial survey in Alaska in his current role as an ecologist with the National Park Service.

Dr. Zackary Delisle Receives 2024 Chase S. Osborn Early Career Award for Wildlife Conservation

Dr. Zackary Delisle (PhD 2023), whose research in Indiana was instrumental for enacting deer...

John Baugh stands in front of the Purdue Memorial Union.

Commitment to the community of agriculture

It was December in the Indiana Statehouse, and legislators rushed around, preparing to discuss...

A photo of a wildfire provided by Blake Stanton.

FNR Alumni Assist During Wildfire Season

Wildfire season can extend from five to more than seven months in length, occurring mostly in the...

Mary Beth Adams stands in front of a sign publicizing her visit to Nanjing Normal University in China.

Distinguished Alumna Adams Travels to China for Scientific Exchange Opportunity

Dr. Mary Beth Adams, a 2016 Purdue Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award honoree and 2020...