Currently a Ph.D candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary biology, Jessie Rack is a recent recipient of the AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship. In addition to this prestigious fellowship, Jessie also received an internship with National Public Radio.

Jessie is studying predator-prey interactions between two species of salamanders: the spotted salamander, whose aquatic larvae make easy prey for all manner of predators; and adult Eastern newts, amphibian predators that are primarily aquatic. She studies how behavioral responses differ depending on geographic origin of the newt predator, what the newt has been eating, and the larvae’s own pond of origin. In studying and understanding these interactions, Jessie hopes to gain some insight into interactions in a temporary pond community and help predict how amphibians might deal with an unfamiliar predator.

After she earns her Ph.D, Jessie plans to work toward a career in science communication. But she isn’t ruling out freelance, nonprofit work, or finding some wonderful opportunity that she doesn’t yet know exists!

For more information on the AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship, Click Here