Education
- University of Arizona (January 2024-Current)
- Graduate student in School of Natural Resources
- Advisor: Dr. Leigh Combrink
- University of Illinois at Chicago (May 2022)
- Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences
- Bachelors of Science Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Kishwaukee College (Attended from August 2016 to July 2018)
- General education and social sciences courses
Research Experiences
- Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Arizona (January 2024 - Current)
- Combrink Laboratory of wildlife disease and conservation
- ORISE Laboratory Fellow (June 2022-December 2023)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA
- Evolutionary Analysis and Ecology Team, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch
- Perform diagnostic assays for the detection of potential infection with Orthopoxviruses and rabies virus in animals within BSL-2/3 laboratories
- Participation in animal studies within ABSL-3 high containment laboratory
- Husbandry, handling of rats, mice, prairie dogs
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA
- Research/Science Aid at University of Illinois at Chicago (August 2019-May 2022)
- Performing independent research (antibiotics in municipal waste ecosystems)
- Antibiotics and Microbial Communities in Landfills
- Oral presentation at UIC Impact Day, April 2022
- Worked with graduate students assisting with making aqueous and solid growth media for growing microorganisms and extracting DNA and RNA from the cultures
- EDGELab of Dr. D’Arcy Meyer-Dombard
- UP on EHS Undergraduate Research Fellow (October 2020-May 2022)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences R25 Research Program at the University of Chicago
- Two-year research and mentoring program focusing on environmental health and justice research
- Environmental Neuroscience Lab of Dr. Marc Berman (Summer 2021)
- Perceived Air Quality and Urban Crime Rates in Chicago
- Performed field work gathering data via constant monitoring instruments (air quality, temperature) and sociological surveys
Publications
- Andersen, D. K., Fischer, G.A., & Combrink, L. (2024). The Alligator and the Mosquito: North American Crocodilians as Amplifiers of West Nile Virus in Changing Climates. Microorganisms, 12(9), 1898. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091898
- Morgan, C.N., Wendling, N.M., Baird, N., Kling, C., Lopez, L., Navarra, T., Fischer, G.A., Wynn, N., Ayuk-Takor, L., Darby, B., Murphy, J., Wofford, R., Roth, E., Holzbauer, S., Griffith, J., Ruprecht, A., Harris, C., Gallardo-Romero, N., & Doty, J. B. (2024.). Early Release—One Health Investigation into Mpox and Pets, United States—Volume 30, Number 10—October 2024—Emerging Infectious Diseases journal—CDC. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3010.240632
Presentations
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Fischer, G.A., Andersen, D.K., Combrink, L. (2024). Modeling Avian Hotspots of Potential West Nile Virus Outbreaks: A Case Study in Coconino County, Arizona
- Presenting author at The Wildlife Society 31st Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland
- Presenting author at The Arizona and New Mexico Wildlife Societies Joint Annual Meeting
- Andersen, D.K., Fischer, G.A., Combrink, L. (2024). The alligator and the mosquito: North American crocodilians as amplifiers of West Nile Virus in changing climates.
- University of Arizona ALVSCE Research Poster Showcase
- Matheney, A., Morgan, C., Fischer, G.A., Kondas, A., Nakazawa, Y., Doty, J.B. (2023). Investigation of non-lesion skin samples as diagnostic specimens for orthopoxvirus detection in animals.
- Presenting author at 2023 International Poxvirus, Asfarvirus, and Iridovirus Conference, Dusseldorf, Germany
- Khoury, S., Meyer-Dombard, D.R., Bogner, J., Malas, J, Fischer, G.A. (2021). Microplastics: Abundance and Effect on Microbial Life in Landfills, Wetlands, and Grassland.
- Midwest Geobiology Symposium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Geological Society of America annual meeting, 2020. Abstract #358929
- Malas, J., Khoury, S., Tanzillo, M., Fischer, G.A., Bogner, J., Meyer-Dombard, D.R. (2020). Impact of changing waste streams on microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling in landfill ecosystems.
- Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2020. Abstract #358928
- American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, 2020
- Malas, J., Khoury, S., Tanzillo, M., Fischer, G.A., Patete, I.D., Bogner, J.E., Meyer-Dombard, D.R. (2019). Trash or treasure? Biogeochemical cycling in landfill ecosystems.
- American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, 2019. Abstract B76-546328
- 8th Annual Midwest Geobiology Symposium, St. Louis, MO
Teaching Experience
- Teaching Assistant at the University of Arizona (August 2024 - December 2024)
- Ecological Surveys and Sampling (RNR-321)
- Assisted with computer laboratory sessions for undergraduate students, graded laboratory assignments, and offered office hours (Dr. Ellen Bledsoe)
- Ecological Surveys and Sampling (RNR-321)
- Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois at Chicago (January 2022-May 2022)
- Global Environmental Change (EAES-101)
- Taught and oversaw laboratory sessions for undergraduate students, as well as offered drop-in office hours (Dr. Andrew Malone)
- Global Environmental Change (EAES-101)
- Undergraduate Science Peer Leader at the University of Illinois at Chicago (August 2021- December 2021)
- General Microbiology (BIOS-350)
- Offer structured weekly / pre-exam reviews or problem-solving sessions, as well as individual student drop-in hour sessions (Sandra Gibbons)
- General Microbiology (BIOS-350)
Honors & Awards
- Robert Klemm, Ph.D, Conservation Scholar Award (May 2025)
- Friends of Sunset Zoo
- Arrington Memorial Scholarship (May 2025)
- University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment
- Rick F. Seegmiller Memorial Scholarship (May 2025)
- University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment
- Diversity and Inclusion Award (April 2025)
- University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment
- Gale Monson Research Grant (April 2025)
- Arizona Field Ornithologists
- One Health Graduate Student Research Assistantship (April 2024)
- University of Arizona
- Departmental Distinction in Biological Sciences (April 2022)
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Kelvin Rodolfo Scholarship (March 2022)
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative (May 2021)
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award (August 2019)
- University of Illinois at Chicago
Service and Leadership Experience
- Reviewer for Pacific Conservation Biology
- EarthWeek Committee (University of Arizona) (2024-2025)
- Member
- Natural Resources Graduate Student Organization (University of Arizona) (2024-2025)
- Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Students for Animal Liberation (UIC Student Organization) (2021-2022)
- Secretary
- Hold social and educational events about animal rights, environmental justice, and Chicagoland ecology
- Global Medical Brigades (UIC Student Organization) (2021-2022)
- Member of Brigade Team
- Guatemala: shadowing physicians and performing clinical work for underserved rural communities (December 2021)
Memberships
- Wildlife Disease Association (February 2025 - Current)
- The Wildlife Society (June 2024 - Current)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Young Professionals Network (July 2022 - July2 2023)
- International Association of Geoscience Diversity (October 2018 - October 2019)
Other Relevant Experience
- Tucson Wildlife Center
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistant (March 2024-August 2024)
- Volunteer (August 2024-Current)
- 520+ hours
- Tucson, AZ, USA
- Zoo Atlanta (August 2023-December 2023)
- Educator
- Atlanta, GA, USA
- AWARE Wildlife Center (July 2022-June 2023)
- Volunteer (260+ hours)
- Atlanta, GA, USA
- Shedd Aquarium (February 2022-June 2022)
- Guest Relations Ambassador
- Chicago, IL, USA
- Oaken Acres Wildlife Center (May 2020-June 2020)
- Volunteer (25 hours)
- Sycamore, IL, USA