Title: MS Student, Research Assistant; Curriculum Developer
Employer: UIUC Integrative Biology, Caceres Lab
Prior Position: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Caceres Lab; Lab Prep Staff, School of Integrative Biology

Cameron graduated in 2017 with his degree in Integrative Biology and is continuing his education here at Illinois as a graduate student in the Caceres Lab. He is working both as a Research Assistant in Integrative Biology and a Curriculum Developer in the College of Education.

As a Curriculum Developer he is leading the development of a high school science unit about mosquitoes and the diseases they vector, strongly focusing on: the central dogma (DNA to RNA to protein), how climate change is affecting the spread of mosquitoes and disease, and searching for and discussing potential solutions to this spread.

As a Research Assistant he is studying the effects of resource manipulation on the development of mosquitoes, continuing research he conducted as an undergraduate in the same lab. His work often includes rearing mosquitoes from eggs to adulthood, extracting DNA, sampling from field sites, and identifying mosquitoes to species.

Studying Integrative Biology here at UIUC prepared Cameron for these and other roles by constantly presenting him with opportunities to improve the skills he commonly needs and uses, such as critical thinking, communication, time management, and collaboration.

Cameron would love to connect with students who would like to learn more about research, classes, jobs, or graduate life. Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Cameron.

“I have had some amazing mentors throughout my life, and I believe that I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them. Because of this, I truly hope to be on the other side of that relationship for as many people as I can.”