Christina Anaya was born and raised on the west coast of California. After enrolling
in college at a non-traditional age, she became fascinated with biology after attending
a 2-week field course in Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks at a local junior
college. She then transferred to California Polytechnic State University and received
a B.S. with an emphasis on field and wildlife biology. Although plant taxonomy was
her first love, she switched to parasitology after discovering a new species of parasite
(hairworms, Phylum: Nematomorpha) in her back yard during the first year of graduate
school. Since then, the worms have taken her to Oklahoma, Iceland, Michigan, Nebraska,
and most recently, Florida. During graduate school, she realized the importance of
giving undergraduates opportunities in research because these opportunities have the
power to change the trajectory of a career as it did for her. She was attracted to
Florida for its diverse parasite and insect fauna but more importantly, to FGCU for
its commitment to student learning and engagement in student research. Today she mentors
several students in parasitology by examining the parasites of the many nonnative
species that have invaded Florida.
Professional Memberships:
- The American Society of Parasitologists
- Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
- Icelandic Ecological Society
- Iceland Biological Society
- Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
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Education
Toggle Education
- Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University
- B.S. in Biological Sciences
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Specialties
Toggle SpecialtiesParasitology, Entomology, Invasive Species
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Research and Teaching Interests
Toggle Research and Teaching InterestsI am broadly interested the ecology of parasites that incorporates life cycles, host-parasite
interactions, taxonomy, and systematics. I want to know how parasites are distributed
among populations and how they complete their life cycles to get into hosts. Because
so little is known about parasites compared to the charismatic megafauna, my lab explores
taxonomy and systematics using field, molecular and phylogenetic methods.
Students are a significant component to my research because I believe that not only
are researchers responsible for training the next generation of scientists but I believe
giving students opportunities has the capacity to change their lives. Because I feel
so strongly about this, I also incorporate research projects and writing into my classes.
From this, I get significant
interest from students who want to learn more because of their classroom experience
and of course, I invite them into my lab where they see hairworms, insects, pythons
and other snakes, toads, frogs, and iguanas.
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Courses Offered
Toggle Courses OfferedZOO3205C Invertebrate Zoology
ZOO3234C General Parasitology
ZOO3713C Vertebrate Form and Function
ZOO4480C Mammalogy
PCB3723C Comparative Animal Physiology
BSC6846 Professional Aspects II
BSC4930 Medical and Veterinary Parasitology (coming soon)
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Publications
Toggle PublicationsI am actively engaged in research and publishing. My work has been published in peer-reviewed
journals. Most recently my photographs on hairworms have been featured in a children's
book.
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Conference Presentations
Toggle Conference PresentationsDr. Anaya has attended the American Society of Parasitologist's (ASP) annual meeting
where she also serves on council and organizes symposia. She has attended several
different meeting over the years. In addition to ASP's regional meetings, she has
attended SW Florida's CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) spreading
parasite knowledge. She has given annual presentations at FGCU's Whitaker Center STEMinar
series and regularly has students presenting at undergraduate research symposia each
semester at FGCU.
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Grants & Awards
Toggle Grants & Awards2023-2024 Hanover Grant Academy
2022 Seidler Student/faculty Scholarly Collaboration Fellowship
2022 Lucas Center Professional Development Grant
2022 Professional Development Fund Grant
2021 Take Flight Research Award
2021 Whitaker Center Steminar
2021 Lucas Center Professional Development Grant
2017 Fulbright/NSF United States Student Scholarship to Iceland
(2017-2018)
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