Biology student narrowly misses being named Rhodes Scholar

Biology graduate student Erin Simmons advanced to the final round of interviews for the 2010 Rhodes Scholarship before being eliminated. Simmons, who earned her bachelor’s degree from the Department of Biological Science in 2008 after just two years, expects to graduate with a master’s degree by Summer 2010. During her time at FSU, she has also been a member of the women’s track and field team, has volunteered with the Saturday at the Sea program, and has earned a Certificate in Marine Biology. “Among the reasons I chose to attend Florida State was its certificate program in marine biology, which enabled me to specialize in marine science while getting a bachelor’s degree in biology. All this comes together in my master’s thesis, which is integrating math, biology, and computer science to develop an optimal management strategy for grouper in the Gulf of Mexico.” Her advisor is biology Professor Thomas Miller. Of the months-long application process for the Rhodes competition, Simmons says, “My family and I cannot say enough about the amazing support and encouragement from Florida State that helped make this opportunity a possibility for me.” To read more, go to http://www.fsu.edu/news/2009/11/21/erin.simmons/