March 2022 Alum Spotlight: Ashley Bui

My name is Ashley Bui and I attended UC Davis in 2020 with a major in Animal Biology and a minor in Entomology. I absolutely loved my time in Davis as an Animal Biology major! While I was there, I researched arachnid phylogenetics and evolution under Dr. Jason Bond. I loved the amount of freedom and flexibility the major allowed me. I appreciated being able to take both upper-division entomology and genetics courses, both of which were essential in developing my skills as an insect systematist. Having the opportunity of working in a university lab and having Dr. Bond as my mentor was amazing. Learning how to do research first hand, having to develop my own research project, and publish my results helped me prepare for a future career as a researcher. Even now, Dr. Bond's guidance and advice were integral to my development as a scientist. 

Following graduation, I applied to grad school and I am now in my first year as an Entomology Ph.D. student at UC Riverside. I am currently studying the phylogenetics of parasitic wasps (though I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Bond Lab spiders). I never would have gotten to where I am without the help of Dr. Bond, Elvira, and Dr. Kimsey! So thank you, all of you!