Annika Benedetti is a recent Honors graduate from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in natural resources. As a burgeoning scientist, Annika has spent two years as a student lab and field assistant for an NSF-funded amphibian epidemic mesocosm project led by Dr. Tracy A.G. Rittenhouse of UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Through these experiences, she developed lab techniques, animal care skills and gained experience in biosafety procedures, e-DNA sampling, literature reviews, data collection, and analysis. Annika ran an individual tracking project in summer 2021, raising wood frog tadpoles in a variety of environmental and developmental treatments to assess whether viral exposure at later life stages alters mortality and metamorphosis rates. She recently presented her results at the Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 2021 Meeting. In her precious free time, Annika enjoys reading fantasy and mystery books, spending time with family, watching Netflix, and casual birdwatching.