Meet Erin Dougherty, a recent SIS graduate majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Conservation and Sustainability. She currently is interning at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute with the Turtle Conservation Ecology Lab, where she helps with data management, box turtle field surveys and more.
How did you decide on the EVSS program? I decided on the EVSS program because I wanted to pursue a multidisciplinary approach to learning about conservation, sustainability, and outreach/education. I really enjoyed getting to learn about science alongside humanities topics.
What have you learned in a EVSS class that really surprised you/changed your perspective? Learning about flagship species in conservation was especially eye-opening for me. I have always been interested in species across taxa, but learning about conservation awareness, funding, and management has shown me that not all species receive the same public attention and appreciation. All flora and fauna play a role in their ecosystems, so I think education and outreach are essential for helping people recognize the value of all species—not just the more (subjectively) charismatic ones.
Tell us about your dream occupation and how your EVSS degree will help you achieve it. I am particularly passionate about both reptile and elasmobranch conservation. My dream is to build a career researching species’ movement ecology and using that data to inform and guide conservation strategies.
Have you had any internships? Or interesting jobs or volunteer experiences that relate to work in the EVSS program? Tell us about it/them. My senior year, I worked in Dr. Amy Fowler’s Aquatic Biology Lab. I helped with field sampling and lab work to analyze parasite assemblages in mud crabs from various Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
Currently, I am an intern for the Turtle Conservation Ecology Lab at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. In this role I help with data management, box turtle field surveys and radiotelemetry, and the development of a lab website and other outreach materials.
Any accomplishments you’re proud of, or research opportunities you’ve taken advantage of, here at Mason? In 2024, I started up the GMU chapter of Plant Futures to promote sustainable food systems through ethical leadership, systems thinking, and student-led advocacy. I enjoyed collaborating with other chapters of the global Plant Futures Initiative and getting to create a network of students with similar ideals on campus, as well as educating others on how simple making sustainable changes can be.
Through the course EVPP 480 (Sustainability in Action) with Dr. Dann Sklarew, I collaborated with several peers to plan and implement an artificial oyster reef restoration project. We coordinated with the Coastal Conservation Association’s Living Reef Action Campaign, GMU’s Patriot Green Fund, university faculty, and campus facilities to organize a reef building event on the SciTech campus. The reefs will be deployed in the Chesapeake Bay to promote oyster population restoration and ecosystem health. It was exciting to get other students involved in hands-on conservation that will directly benefit local ecosystems!
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you. I am currently in the process of getting my open water scuba certification!
What did we miss that you think prospective EVSS students need to know? My biggest suggestion is to meet as many people as you can and take initiative to seek out all the resources available to you. It’s never too late to network or take advantage of Mason’s opportunities, but the sooner the better!
September 04, 2025