Aren Alidaee

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student that is particularity interested in pursuing internships or jobs relating to laboratory work in genetics or animal care in the Davis area. I am currently enrolled in the school of Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity, and am slated to graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in June of 2024. That's not the end of my academic career, however- I intend to continue with my education after graduation with the ultimate goal of earning a PhD in Evolutionary Genetics.

I obtained an Associates Degree in Biology at Palomar College in San Marcos in May of 2022 and transferred to UC Davis in the fall of 2022. I am a quick learner who enjoys hands-on work and has extensive experience handling mice, rats, small birds, snakes of various sizes, insects, rabbits, and horses, as well as being involved in the care, training, relocation, and upkeep of all of the animals listed above. I have excellent dexterity, a keen eye for animal identification and behavior, and have had years of laboratory experience, both in-school and as a Chemistry Lab Assistant at Palomar College, where I managed equipment inventory and handled various corrosive materials. I currently work as a student assistant in the Rodent Facility at Meyer Hall, where I provide care for the animals, monitor animal health and wellness, keep records on the animals and their environment, and help maintain the facility to industry standards.

In the past, I have participated in a research study concerning the study of native pollinators in Southern California’s chaparral environment, which included capturing, identifying and pinning insects, as well as running genetic sequencing on different specimens. I have also spent several years volunteering for different horse stables around San Marcos simply for the joy of being able to work with large mammals, with a good portion of those volunteer hours going towards the TERI Therapeutic Riding program for disabled individuals, where I worked as a lesson leader and horse trainer.

In my free time, I enjoy researching the behavior and adaptations of various different animal species, absorbing as much information as I can about their role in their ecosystems in addition to the conservation efforts in play for protecting their species. I have a deep fascination with any creature in the group Diaspida (reptiles such as birds, snakes, lizards, turtles, and so on), but my passion extends to all creatures within the kingdom Animalia, and thus do not have particularly strong biases towards what species I am willing to work with. I am also a freelance writer and artist, and often do commission work in my free time, with a particular focus on speculative biology diagrams for sci-fi and fantasy creatures.