Aside from balancing two majors in marine sciences and ecology and evolutionary biology, Gabrielle Tullock ’25 (CLAS) says her undergraduate experience at UConn also taught her another important lesson: to step out of her comfort zone.
If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have ended up captain of the UConn Avery Point HuskyTHON team, having raised $10,000 for Connecticut Children’s.
“You never know what is in store for you unless you do it,” she says.
Why did you choose UConn?
Years of scuba diving with my family sparked my passion for the ocean, inspiring me to learn more about it. UConn appealed to me by offering the marine sciences major and the ability to complete my first two years at the main campus. Attending classes at Storrs for two years enabled me to commute, which saved me money. UConn’s acceptance rate was the most selective of all the schools I applied to and being an R1 research university were the reasons I committed to UConn.
What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?
I began my academic journey at UConn as a marine sciences major and decided to pursue a double major in ecology and evolutionary biology during my sophomore year. My parents introduced me to scuba diving in eighth grade, and I am currently a certified dive master. Seeing the ocean from a different perspective drove my curiosity and desire to study the processes and ecosystems beneath the waves. Transferring college credits from high school set me ahead and enabled me to complete a second major. I enjoyed the first EEB courses I took, and the information complemented the marine sciences material, so I decided EEB would be my second major and tailored my plan of study accordingly.
Did you have a favorite professor or class?
Professor Michael Finiguerra is an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at UConn Avery Point. Before my campus change, Professor Finiguerra helped me acquire credit for an internship under the EEB course title. Once at Avery Point, I took multiple courses with him and got to know him better. He has an open-door office policy, so I spent many hours in his office studying during my two years at Avery Point. He cares about his students’ success in his classes and their lives outside of school. He is a role model for prioritizing work/life balance and advocates for taking time to decompress and mentally recover from school stress. This has helped me maintain many hobbies in addition to the school workload.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
As a commuter, I prioritized joining clubs at Storrs to become involved on campus. I started with the UConn Club Sailing Team, where I furthered my sailing experience and met new people. Through the sailing team, I registered for HuskyTHON, the largest student-run organization at UConn that fundraises for Connecticut Children’s. I fell in love with the community that came along with participating in HuskyTHON. I decided to try something new by joining UConn Roundnet, which quickly turned into staying on campus after classes to play Spikeball with friends and traveling for tournaments. When I changed campuses to Avery Point, I knew I wanted to stay connected to HuskyTHON, so I became captain of the UConn Avery Point HuskyTHON team for two years. This enabled me to host fundraisers at Avery Point, bringing the community together and meeting new people. Over the three years I participated with HuskyTHON, I fundraised over $10,000 for Connecticut Children’s! I was also a member of the Marine Sciences Club at Avery Point, which helped me stay connected to other students in my major. I participated in the Discovery Leadership Series at Avery Point in the fall of 2024, and I co-facilitated the series during the spring of 2025.
What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?
Having attended the main campus and one of the regional campuses, I can attest that I enjoyed both the large and small school feel. I initially thought I would not like Storrs for being such a large campus, and then, before attending Avery Point, I worried I would not enjoy the small campus experience. However, both campuses have their perks! The large selection of clubs, the gym, and the sports at Storrs are all unmatched! Even as a commuter, the Storrs campus began feeling like home as I met more people and got involved on campus. I have a unique perspective as I started at Storrs and ended at a regional campus; it is usually the other way around. Avery Point is a much smaller campus, but the community at Avery Point is unreal, especially when you attend events and get to know people outside your major. The community is much closer-knit than Storrs. With a smaller class size, courses are structured differently, and the faculty is very approachable when you need help. Hands-on experience working in research labs right on campus is very accessible for Avery Point students. I worked in the Matassa Lab, assisting a graduate student with experiments studying predator-prey interaction in the intertidal zone. I wouldn’t say that I liked one campus over the other, but I am grateful to have experienced both campus communities and would recommend both to incoming students.
What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?
After graduation, I plan to take time to recharge from working hard during my four years at UConn. This time will likely include traveling and working toward personal goals. I am keeping my options open and actively exploring all opportunities for the next chapter of my life. I will continue applying to positions that align with my interests, but I am not rushing into anything!
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
UConn has taught me balance. Not only with school and managing the workload of four or five classes at a time, but it has also taught me to balance extracurriculars, socializing with friends and family, and a part-time job. As a full-time student, finding time for things other than school can be difficult, but I learned that making time for things you enjoy helps prevent burnout. Finding a good balance between keeping your grades up and taking time for leisure is crucial for a healthy college lifestyle. You can’t pour from an empty cup!
Any advice for incoming students?
Step outside of your comfort zone! This can look different for everyone, but it is crucial to take advantage of opportunities while you have them. This may mean joining a club to try something new, attending sporting events, introducing yourself to someone in your class, or seeking help from a professor or tutor. There are so many ways to meet people, you never know what is in store for you unless you do it. I especially encourage commuters to join at least one club to help meet people and be a part of the community on campus. Speaking from my personal experience, this significantly impacted my college life and helped me meet “my people”!
What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?
I suggest everyone get involved in HuskyTHON and experience a “HuskyTHON Night-of.” HuskyTHON was one of the most memorable events during my time at UConn. This event is accessible to all students, including those at regional campuses! It is an opportunity to be part of something greater than yourself and is truly a magical experience.
What will always make you think of UConn?
The photos. I do my best to be present in the moment, especially during events, but I always prioritize taking pictures! This helps preserve those moments you wish would last forever. I have already caught myself reminiscing through photos from my early years at UConn and am sure I will be doing this for many years to come.
The sports. Living in Connecticut, you always hear people talking about UConn sports or see the games being played on TVs at restaurants. Attending games in the Basketball Capital of the World truly made UConn basketball an extraordinary experience. My friends and I also enjoyed spring by watching the baseball team.
The people. There are friendships I have made during my time at UConn that I know will last past graduation. Although we may all be parting ways, some graduating and returning home, moving for a job, or continuing at UConn, we are committed to staying in touch as we start our new paths. The professors and other faculty, especially those at Avery Point, are very approachable, insightful, and supportive. I am grateful for the connections I made and hope to stay in contact with them after graduation.
