September 2022 ABI Student of the Month: Kenny Ruiz

My name is Kenny Ruiz and I am a first-generation transfer student, currently finishing my fourth year at UC Davis. I grew up in Salinas, California, and joined the Marines right out of high school, where I served four years. I enjoy baking, reading, photography, hiking, and martial arts. My field of interest is wildlife conservation and animal behavior.

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to South Africa this summer to research elephant behavior for my senior practicum project. There I spent two months on a private game reserve called Gondwana located in the Cape Floristic Region, studying elephant foraging behavior in the fynbos biome. This was also an opportunity to meet other future researchers and conservationists, as well as learn about South Africa's rich biodiversity. I would love to visit again just to see more animals and more of the country's rich and beautiful landscapes.
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