Kelsey Reider

Kelsey Reider wants to help vulnerable animals survive in a fast-changing world.

Growing up in Ohio, Kelsey loved catching and examining the animals that took up residence in her backyard pond, including frogs, snakes and turtles. She channeled that passion and earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the Ohio State University.

After graduating, Kelsey worked as a research assistant at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. There, she met FIU biologist Maureen Donnelly who encouraged her to apply to FIU. In 2008, Kelsey enrolled to pursue graduate studies and conduct research in the Herpetology Lab, which is dedicated to the study of reptiles and amphibians.

As a Ph.D. student in biology, Kelsey studied how frogs respond to climate change, extreme conditions, and disease in the high Andes Mountains in Peru. Frogs are great indicators of environmental change. Kelsey’s research, which was funded by the National Science Foundation, could inform wildlife conservation in high mountain environments, including the Andes, where climate change impacts are early and severe. While working in Peru, Kelsey also trained and established collaborations with local scientists.

Kelsey is the first in her family to graduate from college. She wants to pursue a career in wildlife conservation research and education. 

By Evelyn S. Gonzalez
Account Manager, College of Arts, Sciences & Education