Image: Margot Popecki is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Genetics in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences studying the evolution of light signaling in fireflies. Her major professors are John Wares and Kathrin Stranger-Hall. Growing up, she was an avid reader and creative writer, so the Writing Intensive Program has given her the opportunity to unite her passion for writing, teaching and evolutionary biology. At UGA, Popecki has been involved with science outreach, from STEMzone to developing content and activities related to her research on fireflies. After graduation, Popecki plans to pursue postdoctoral research to study conservation genomics. She is from Durham, New Hampshire, and has two dogs, Axel and Orla. Her hobbies include hiking, furniture restoration and sewing.The Excellence-in-Teaching Award was established by the Graduate School to recognize those students who have demonstrated superior teaching skills and have contributed to teaching beyond their own classroom responsibilities, making a significant contribution to the instructional mission of the university. Read More: UGA Today Article
