Christine Fallon

Degree: Master of Science in Ecology

Thesis: Effects of stream intermittency on leuciscid and percid trophic dynamics in the Ichawaynochaway Creek Basin, southwest Georgia, USA

Awards & Accomplishments

John Spencer Research Grant – 2019

First publication as a co-author on “Diagnosis and Distribution of Florida Sand Darter, Ammocrypta bifascia (Teleostei; Percidae), in the Flint River, Georgia” in Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings – 2020

What has become your favorite quote?

“I get by with a little help from my friends”

–The Beatles

What was your greatest epiphany in the last two years related to pursuing your degree?

Pursuing a Master’s degree has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I have endured. It has been an exceptional opportunity for growth as a scientist and as a person.

What would be your ideal job in life?

To be a refuge biologist for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service!

What was your coolest/most surprising research finding?

I thought it was cool that we found blackbanded darters were eating smaller minnows!

Share advice you would give somebody entering graduate school:

Getting an advanced degree is hard work. A wise woman once told me that “If science wasn’t hard then everyone would do it.” For students entering graduate school I would encourage them to try and keep their chin up and stay optimistic when the going gets tough!

What are your immediate next steps (within the next few months)?

Search for a national wildlife refuge that I can start working for in early 2021. I looking to relocate to a new state that I haven’t been to before, so that is exciting!

Congratulations, Christine!

You are amazing and it was such a pleasure to have you in my lab. I cannot wait to see what you do next! Very Sincerely, Krista

Congratulations, Christine!!

Warmest congratulations Christine! Your graduate research is outstanding and has opened my eyes to aspects of a faunal community I thought I knew somewhat well. I am grateful you chose the OSE program to pursue graduate studies, and for the opportunity to work with you. I will point to your work at Ichauway as an embodiment of my oft-given advice to “expect to discover something new”. Best wishes for much continued success!

Congratulations, Christine! I am so happy for your accomplishment! I have enjoyed working with you. Thank you so much for your patience as I learned details about my work. Watch out, here comes Christine! Wishing you all the best and the happiest of holidays.

Congratulations Michelle, Christine, Dan, Lexi, Paige, and Jon! You did it! You'll be forever the class of 2020 (think of the stories you can tell -- impeachment, covid, fraudulent elections, SCOTUS, and the best part...your degree). Seriously, I can appreciate how unusual your last year has been and I'm extremely proud of how you've succeeded through the various challenges you've faced -- finishing is hard enough without a pandemic, and you made it. You've each done a great job and I am proud of your accomplishments, as I hope you are. Good luck with whatever your next steps are. Here's to a fantastic life -- I hope that science remains part of your future, along with a wonderful dose of personal contentment and joy to go with it.