Two graduate students have been selected for the inaugural University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute graduate assistantships.

In their roles, Isabelle Gain, a master’s student studying health education and behavior in the College of Health and Human Performance, and Maria C. Vallejo-Pareja, a Ph.D. candidate in the department of biology and the Florida Museum of Natural History, will help implement programs that advance TESI’s mission.

“We are so excited to host our first two graduate assistants who will have the opportunity to develop new skills and engage in communication about Earth systems science with our audiences,” said Megan Ennes, TESI director and assistant curator of museum education at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

As a former TESI Environmental Leaders Fellow, Gain will help lead the next iteration of the fellowship and serve as the main coordinator for the TESI Environmental Leaders Network. She will also assist with Scientist in Every Florida School and public outreach events and work on museum education research projects alongside Ennes.

While earning her bachelor’s degree in health education at UF, Gain served as a teaching assistant and peer mentor for the University Research Scholars Program. She also served as the director of programming and educational booth chair for Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Health Education Honorary.

Gain said she is passionate about fostering strong relationships between humans and nature and hopes to apply her background in education to create strong messaging and educate the public on environmental matters.

“I’m thrilled to work with TESI to increase the accessibility of science for Floridians and share my passion for environmental stewardship efforts,” Gain said.

Using 3-D imaging methods like computerized tomography, or CT scans, Vallejo-Pareja studies the evolution of fossil frog and toad communities in Florida and Central America. As a member of the TESI team, she will be working with the Scientist in Every Florida School team to help coordinate the AI Learning in K-12 with Fossil Sharks Professional Development Program, which helps Florida teachers introduce their students to artificial intelligence using paleontology.

A native of Colombia, Vallejo-Pareja earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia before becoming a research assistant for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. She went on to receive her master’s degree in biology from Sam Houston State University. In 2022, Vallejo-Pareja received the UF International Student Achievement Award.

Aside from her research accomplishments, Vallejo-Pareja works hard to bring her science to the public through various outreach events.

“Talking with different audiences about herpetology, paleontology, or just about what scientists do is not only fun, but it is also a learning experience. It is also part of our responsibility to our communities,” Vallejo-Pareja said.

“I am looking forward to this year with TESI and am excited to help teachers and students learn about leading technologies in science.”