UWG Biology Alumna Speaks on Her Passion for Science and International Cultures Share this page
Most people say success doesn’t come overnight – it’s about hard work. University of West Georgia biology alumna Angelina Houston ’25 is living proof that achieving success comes with a background of dedication and gratitude.
Throughout her college career, Houston has been able to showcase her love for biology in many areas that amplify her passion for scientific study. With a sincere love for marine biology, she vividly remembers her mother taking her and her sister to zoos, museums and aquariums, as well as watching educational shows like “Wild Kratts.” It was then that Houston developed an interest in marine biology, despite having a few bumps in the road.
“I struggled the most with science and math, but because of my passion and interest in biology, I did not want to give up so easily,” Houston said. “Once I was at UWG and taking biology courses, I found them so interesting. I knew I made the right decision, and I have been very dedicated to my studies.”
Houston has also showcased her hard work by participating in the Snapshot USA project for the fall 2024 and fall 2025 semesters alongside Dr. Andrew Edelman. Snapshot USA is a wildlife project that samples mammal populations with camera traps across the United States. Houston also conducted research with Dr. Christopher Tabit and his master’s student on the index of the biological integrity of fish and macroinvertebrates of Buffalo Creek.
“Both of these [Snapshot USA and biology research] experiences have been very impactful to my skills and future goals,” she said. “Snapshot USA was my first research project and is the one I have been most involved in.”
With how heavily involved Houston became with research, she was able to showcase her presentation at Snapshot USA’s Symposium for Student Research and UWG’s Scholars’ Day. These highlights heightened her interest in pursuing ecological research and the work that she has done for her research projects furthers her motivation.
Houston also participated in a study abroad program in France, where she developed a deep understanding of French culture and how her communication skills enhanced her confidence. Not to mention, European environmentalism was the highlight of her program, and it solidified her interest in embarking on a career as a marine biologist. Throughout her experience, she established connections with her classmates and learned more about their heritage.
“Many of these people were from countries that have been painted in a less than positive light in the USA,” she stated. “Being able to forge a genuine connection with them reminded me that no matter where we come from, we are all human.”
A major step that Houston took was applying for a Fulbright Research Award in marine and lacustrine studies at Ghent University. The Fulbright Program is recognized as one of the most prestigious scholarship and exchange programs in the world. The application process took five months for Houston to complete, but she was grateful for how the process went.
“My application process helped me with my communication skills and knowing how to articulate what I have done and my goals,” Houston said. “No matter the outcome of my application, I am very glad I went through the process, as it has helped me more than I could have ever imagined.”
Even if Houston is not selected for Fulbright, she still has high hopes for herself. After graduation, she plans to work full time until fall 2026, during which she plans to start a graduate program in marine biology. As of now, she has her eyes on studying abroad and expanding her love for different cultures.
“I look forward to being a master’s student and having the opportunity to work with undergraduates and hopefully be a helpful and encouraging person on their college journey,” she concluded.