Leah Schwarz '25
BS Anthropology, BS Marine Sciences

On her major:
I got hooked on the marine world when I started SCUBA diving at age 14.
I wanted to get a strong biology background and lots of hands-on experience with environmental fieldwork. I got that through the Marine Sciences major and Semester by the Sea. I have also always been intrigued by human history, culture, and archaeology so the Anthropology major was a perfect fit.

Favorite class:
One of my favorite classes was ANP 387: Independent Research Project in Madagascar. This was part of a study abroad program I did in Madagascar. I spent a week trekking through the mountainous rainforest of Ranomafana National Park following a group of Milne-Edwards sifakas. It was incredibly exhilarating to run through bamboo groves, slide down slopes and watch the sifakas for hours through my binoculars. I felt like that was where I belonged and the class solidified my desire to be doing fieldwork as a career. 

Interests and accomplishments:
I really wanted to conduct research during my time at Stony Brook. I was able to do that following my time in Madagascar, working with Dr. Patricia Wright on the demography and behavioral ecology of the sifakas. With her encouragement and guidance, I received a URECA travel grant to go to Mexico for the American Society for Primatologists meeting. I am grateful and proud that I got to present my research at an international scientific conference as an undergraduate.

I am also very interested in informal education and completed an education internship at the Zuccaire Gallery at the Staller Center. I stayed at the gallery throughout my whole time at SBU, eventually working as a public programming and communications assistant. I am very grateful to my supervisors Georgia LaMair Tomczak and Karen Levitov for their mentorship and support.

Plans for post-graduation:
I am writing up my research for publication in a scientific journal and will be presenting it at the Animal Behavior Society meeting this July. I am exploring research and education jobs in wildlife biology as well.

Advice for future Seawolves:
It is okay to not know what exactly you want to do or what you can accomplish when you  start out. Take time to just learn the foundations of your field and take note of anything that interests you. Once you find something you feel really passionate about, try to get some experience in it. Whether it is volunteering, interning or doing an independent project, experiences outside of the classroom are what help you learn more about what you are capable of and give you the skills necessary for post graduation.

Favorite SBU memory:
I have really enjoyed just being on campus, from studying in the Student Union and the Library stacks, to sitting under the blossoms outside ESS drinking bubble tea. I enjoyed working on productions with Pocket Theatre and attending meetings of countless other clubs and organizations.