As a student in Miami's biology department, Bryan Kao ‘24 earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Biology through Project Dragonfly's Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) while working as a vis...
News and Media
Meet the 2025 Project Dragonfly Alumni Leaders
These alumni leaders were chosen to help motivate, engage, and lead learning for current Project Dragonfly students in the 2024-25 academic year.
Project Dragonfly has won the MAGS 2025 Excellence in Innovation in Graduate Education Award
OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University’s Project Dragonfly has won the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 2025 Excellence in Innovation in Graduate Education Award.
GFP graduate, Stephanie Hull, named Fulbright semifinalist
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Stephanie Hull ‘24 was named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program semifinalist for 2025-2026.
Fourteen Miami students, alumni named Fulbright semifinalists
Fourteen Miami students and alumni are semifinalists in the 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition. Nine undergraduates, three graduate students, and two alumni have been recommended ...
Dragonfly graduates earn AAZK awards for their work within the animal care field
The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) recently announced its 2024 keeper award winners, and three Dragonfly graduates were recognized.
Taking action to save endangered shorebirds
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Lindsay Keller of Chicago, Illinois, published an article in Sevenseas Media.
Tackling food waste in northeast Illinois
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Suzanne Waite of Elmhurst, Illinois, published an opinion piece in the Elmhurst Patch.
Promoting more native habitats to connect Chicago communities
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Juliana Castagna of Homewood, Illinois, published an opinion piece in the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle.
Saving salmon in northwest Oregon
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Audrey Evans of Happy Valley, Oregon, published an opinion piece in the Portland Tribune newspaper.
Supporting needs of international animal care givers
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Jennifer Bridges '16 of Pflugerville, Texas, was published in Animal Keepers' Forum, a publication of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
Ensuring healthy diets for zoo-housed gorillas
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student and zookeeper Stephanie Hurst of Buffalo, New York, was published in Animal Keepers' Forum, a publication of the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Zookeepers: Caregivers and resource reducers
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student and zookeeper Chelsea Vabro of North Riverside, Illinois, was published in Animal Keepers' Forum, a publication of the American Association of Zoo K...
Dragonfly Photo Contest Winners 2024
Miami University Project Dragonfly graduate students in the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP), the Global Field Program (GFP), Earth Expeditions (EE) courses, and faculty and staff are invited ...
Lorikeets are for keeps when it comes to rearing and being ambassadors
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student and zookeeper Angela Ignarski of Orland Park, Illinois, was published in Animal Keepers' Forum, a publication of the American Association of Zoo...
Prioritizing inclusivity in conservation education
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Kelly Maxwell of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, pictured paddleboarding through the mangroves in Biscayne Bay, Everglades, for her Global Biomes course...
Conducting research for sake of student well-being and environmental literacy
Research by Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Rachel Arbor '23 of Beacon, New York, and Dragonfly associate director Kevin Matteson has been published in Environmental Education Research...
Tackling the microplastics problem through community art
Current Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Molly Biagi of River Grove, Illinois, recently partnered with Chicago-based environmental conservation organization Urban Rivers and hosted a mic...
Encouraging coexistence, mutual respect in La Jolla Cove
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Sharyn Umaña-Angers of Montreal, Canada, published an article on Sevenseas Media.
Evaluating river response to dam removal in western Washington
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Natasha Coumou of Marysville, Washington, was part of research team who observed impacts of the Pilchuck River Diversion Dam removal from the Pilchuck Ri...
Standardizing and assessing pangolin research
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate and Dragonfly instructor Jeannie Miller Martin '13 of Brunswick, Georgia, and others conducted research that was published in Oryx—The International J...
Debunking science misinformation with citizen science
Current Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Thomas Hensley of Bellbrook, Ohio, was published in the Dayton Daily News, a newspaper serving the City of Dayton, Ohio, and surrounding comm...
Safeguarding mammals in northern Sri Lanka
Current Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Olivia Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, published an article for the Kaludiyapokuna Primate Conservation and Research Center (KPCRC)
Examining working elephants in Nepal
Project Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor Michelle Szydlowski was published in Anthrozoös, a multidisciplinary journal focused on the relationships between people and animals across areas.
Current Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Lucy Gardner, of Manhattan, New York, was published in the Times Union, a newspaper for New York's Capital Region.
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Valeria Hernandez '23, of Houston, Texas, was recently interviewed by the National Park Service for her work as a NPS intern in helping the forestry crew mo...
Helping sea otters in Northern California
Current Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Emily Williams of San Francisco, California, wrote an article for SevenSeas Media.
GFP student awarded Pelecanus scholarship; shares about her community conservation work
Current Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Emily Summers of Waialua, Hawai’i, talks about pursuing her master's in biology, her studies through Earth Expeditions...
Addressing the impacts of climate change
Current Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) student Christine Peralta of Brooklyn, New York, wrote an op-ed for the Bushwick Daily newspaper.
Helping native bees to benefit conservation
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Allison Hazel of Cortland, Ohio, wrote an article for the Cortland News, a free newspaper serving the City of Cortland and surrounding communities.
Pathways to nature, spiritual awareness
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Melissa Breed-Parks of St. Louis, Missouri, wrote an article for Friends Journal...
Current Global Field Program (GFP) student Carlee Simpson of Elgin, Illinois, reflects on her 2024 Earth Expeditions Kenya course...
Determining the role of films for conservation
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Maegan Leavendusky '24 of Mayetta, Kansas, traveled to Cameroon, West Africa, where she worked on The Great Ape Conservation Film Project (GACFP)...
And the Presidential award goes to...
President Joe Biden has named Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Rachel Arbor '23 as a recipient of Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.
Exploring coral reefs in real time
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate Zovig Minassian '24 of La Crescenta, California, wrote an article for California Classroom Science, a publication of the California Association of Scien...
Putting emotion back into science
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate Megan Schulz '23 of Denver, Colorado, wrote for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAEE).
GFP student wins scholarship, publishes AZA article
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Kristen Luise of Westwood, Massachusetts, is this year's winner of the Marjorie Post Farrington Scholarship from the Miami University Graduate School.
Haul out the haul-outs; for we need a little conservation, right this very minute
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate Payden Hubbert '24 of Brooklyn, New York, was published in Animal Keepers’ Forum, a publication of the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Project Dragonfly’s new leader to build on successful foundation
Katie Feilen aims to continue innovation with Miami graduate program
Chris ’83 and Lynne Born Myers ’83, founders of Miami’s Project Dragonfly, a community igniting ecological and social change, anticipate their next transformation
AIP student spends free time cleaning up Ohio's Buckeye Lake
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Mike Curtis of Millersport, Ohio (pictured with his daughter, Tegan), published an opinion piece in his hometown newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch.
AIP student to present at veterinary summit this fall
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Ezekiel Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, will be a poster presenter at the 8th Annual International Veterinary Social Work Summit in September 2024.
Nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Greg Harris of Cambridge, Massachusetts, published an article in the Earth Island Journal, and it was the featured cover story for the summer print issue.
The benefits of entomophagy and a few 'bug bites'
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Molly Biagi of River Grove, Illinois, was recently published on Bugible, an online guide into the world of bug eating.
Pride Month is a time for celebrating diversity and the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people.
Considering stickleback fish in ecosystem restoration
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate Bonnie May '23 of Oceanside, California, asks us to consider the three-spined stickleback fish when restoring ecosystems.
Diving into two Los Angeles area aquariums
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Bryan Kao of Bronx, New York, was published in the British magazine, Zoo Grapevine & International Zoo News.
AIP graduate writes book for navigating sustainability
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate Jessica Ullyott '21 of San Diego, California, has been enjoying multiple book signings since publishing her book, Intentional - A Holistic Approach to B...
GFP graduate continues crucial role in PK-12 environmental education, wins exemplary teaching award
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Rachel Arbor '23 of Beacon, New York, won the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association's Paul DeHart Hurd Award for Exemplary Middle Level Sc...
Project Dragonfly Students Awarded Scholarships
Seven Miami University graduate students in Project Dragonfly’s Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) and Global Field Program (GFP) were recently awarded scholarships totaling $10,750.
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Grace Ali created a biological art-stream video series on three threatened/endangered species from each region of California’s San Bernardino C...
Helping audiences experience the Antarctic Peninsula virtually and engaging with STEM
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Susan Dorsey '19 of Baltimore, Maryland, has completed a number of deliverables for her Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship...
Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor Michelle Szydlowski Ph.D, Department of Biology, was recently published in the book, Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism...
Addressing inclusion problems in STEM
This month current Global Field Program (GFP) student Aurelia Valente of Sante Fe, New Mexico, presented "Disability Inclusion in STEM Academia" at RedHawk Talks...
Soon-to-be-graduate finds conservation voice, starts wildlife non-profit
Meg Sczyrba of Portland, Oregon, who is an Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) student in Miami's Biology Department, will earn a Master of Arts next month.
Dragonfly students amplify primate conservation through research and media
Current Dragonfly students Maegan Leavendusky (at right) of Mayetta, Kansas, and Rachel Medley of Lexington, Kentucky, recently traveled to Cameroon, West Africa, where they worked on The Great Ape...
A note of thanks to our good stewards on this Earth Day
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Melanie Branson of Ridgecrest, California, was published in The News Review, a weekly newspaper of the Indian Wells Valley (IWV).
Researching the power of social media for zoos
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) graduate student Ezekiel Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, was published in the journal of Social Work in Mental Health.
Combating parachute science in Latin America
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Emily Utset '23 of New York, New York, was published in the journal of Conservation Biology.
Addressing real-world problems through citizen science
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Safiya Sabir '21 of New York, New York, was published in NSTA's Connected Science Learning.
Improving life through city park community gardens
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Lindsey Smith '23 of Columbia, Missouri, published an article, "Community Gardens in City Parks,"
Connecting history and science through interpretive presentations
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Luetta Jean Coonrod '12 of Lombard, Illinois, wrote an article about her experience as an interpretive presenter on women’s roles...
GFP graduate and teacher named FFT fellow
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Nickele Morgan '14 of Perry, Ohio, was awarded a Fund for Teachers (FFT) fellowship for travel to Iceland this summer.
GFP graduate contributes research to book about animal tourism
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Jacqui Sadashige's research on elephant tourism has been published in Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism and appears in the "Hands Off Herd" c...
Current Global Field Program (GFP) student Angie Trumbo of Long Beach, California, who works for International Bird Rescue (Bird Rescue) presented "Fifty and Better's Spring Lectures: Int...
A full circle moment for GFP graduate at John Brewer Reef in Townsville, Australia
Earlier this year Global Field Program (GFP) graduate and science teacher Sam Wheeler '12 of Durham, North Carolina, led a group of 23 students (and 6 adults) to Australia to learn about the b...
Recent graduate's final inquiry action project comes to life in new education access program
On April 1, 2024, GFP graduate Ginger Levinson '23 of Nashville, Tennessee, launched a new environmental education access program—La Vergne Public Library Learning Links—in her com...
Meet our indispensable group of alumni leaders
Dragonfly Alumni Leaders (DALs) volunteer their time to support students in three Dragonfly classes, including Science Leadership & Media Workshop, Biology in the Age of Technology, and Master&...
Passive bird monitoring gets funded
Global Field Program (GFP) student Kyra Thurow Bartow of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, received a fully-funded grant through Carolina Bird Club to install video and audio monitoring of birds...
As seen on TV: a Dragonfly grad and Lolly the duck
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Amanda Badger '15, pictured above, gets ready to go live with Lollipop or "Lolly," a Pekin duck, on Fox Dayton Local 45.
Dragonfly's Aurelia Valente joins Graduate School's Redhawk talks
Current Global Field Program (GFP) student Aurelia Valente, pictured here, joins a group of graduate students for RedHawk Talks...
For the love of outdoor learning
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Kelly Rivett of Adelaide, Australia, was published in Teaching Science, a quarterly journal published by the Australian Science Teachers Association.
Bridging the interpreter-audience gap to connect conservation
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Mollie Flowers of Baltimore, Maryland, was published in Legacy, a periodical of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).
Researching species reproductive success
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Jennifer Kachala '23 of Sylmar, California, was published in the February edition of Animal Keepers' Forum, a journal of the American Association of Zo...
Empowering wildlife professionals to safeguard snow leopard in Nepal
Embark on a reflective journey through Nepal's Manang Valley with a blog by Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Kayley Bateman '20, Program Manager at Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC).
Dragonfly director Chris Myers honored for innovative global programming
Dragonfly co-founder and director Chris Myers Ph.D. was recently honored with two awards...
Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor writes book and is honored by AASA
Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor Michelle Szydlowski Ph.D. has published a new book, "Elephant Tourism in Nepal," through CABI.
Understanding predator-prey relationships
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Michael Haughwout '23 of Matawan, New Jersey, was published in Green Teacher magazine.
GFP graduate honored with Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Chairman‘s Award
Global Field Program graduate Chris Corpus '19 of Dallas, Texas, received the Chairman’s Award from the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce for his community work.
Dragonfly Photo Contest Winners 2023
Miami University Project Dragonfly graduate students in the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP), the Global Field Program (GFP), Earth Expeditions (EE) courses, and faculty and staff are invited ...
Metamorphosing pollinator friendly communities
AIP graduate Whitney Hartman '23 of Springboro, Ohio, was published in the Springboro Neighbors magazine.
Understanding the trajectory of evolution and life
AIP graduate and science teacher Collin Davis '22 of Miami, Florida, published an article titled "Evolution in the Anthropocene" in Green Teacher magazine.
Leveraging the power of VR for deep learning
GFP graduate Katie Mauro '23 (right) of Brookfield, Connecticut, was published on Edutopia's website.
Elephant matters matter; no more twisting of collars
Congratulations to GFP graduate Antoinette van de Water '17 who co-authored the article, "Twisting collars on male elephants in shrub terrain: animal welfare considerations for researcher...
Promoting Backyard Biodiversity Through Residential Landscaping
GFP graduate Lauren Moscar '23 wrote an article as part of her master's coursework.
2023: A very busy year for recent AIP graduate
AIP graduate Karina Altman '23 of Burlington, Kentucky, earned her AIP master's from Miami in December, and won two American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) awards...
Spending nature-inspired days in Hoboken
AIP graduate Shannon Hester '23 of Bayonne, New Jersey, was published on The Hoboken Girl, a website dedicated to all things Hoboken and Jersey City.
Cheetahs, coyotes, cougars: drawing comparisons
GFP graduate Hannah Cross '23 of Dunlap, California, was a guest educator at Fremont / Lopez Elementary School in Stockton, California.
Best practices for monitoring Komodo dragons in zoos
GFP graduate Liliana Hidalgo '23 of Los Angeles, California, was published in the Animal Keeper Forum (AKF), a journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
Helping students realize their STEM potential
GFP graduate Shannon Conner '20 of Monterey, California, has been busy building the success of the Watershed Guardians Program at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
GFP graduate Meghan Manary '23 (right) of Platte, Nebraska, was featured in her local hometown news, The North Platte Telegraph, for helping lead the annual First Day Hike across 22 state park...
Reflecting on Thailand and the activism of the forest monks
GFP graduate student Greg Harris of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was recently published in the Earth Island Journal.
AIP grad earns botanical illustrator certification
This is a test AIP graduate Emily Prengaman '18 of Denver, Colorado, has earned a certificate in Botanical Illustration through the Denver Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustrat...
Bird banding volunteer keeping birds safe
AIP graduate student and bird banding station volunteer Molly Toth of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was published in Wild Hope magazine.
Slowing the effects of climate change to protect seahorses, sea life
GFP graduate student Rebecca Scherr of Vandalia, Ohio, was published on Sevenseas Media. In the article she shares how you can protect endangered seahorses.
Friday’s graduation, set inside Miami's Millett Assembly Hall, came with all the pomp and circumstance...
Yellow tags and mortar boards: Project Dragonfly grads bring ‘excitement and cheer’ to commencement
For some in the program, graduation is first time on Miami’s campus
Birding indoors at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
AIP graduate student Bryan Kao of Bronx, New York, was published in Zoo Grapevine & International Zoo News.
Cultivating conservation through theatre
AIP graduate student Sarah Kozlow of Brooklyn, New York, has launched the Cultivate Theatre Project.
Impacting boreal toad conservation in Colorado
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Sam Hengge of Lakewood, Colorado, was published in Connect magazine...
Conserving the elephants of the Kinabatangan
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Patrick Kelley was published in the Journal of the Elephant Managers Association.
Turning dreams into reality, inspiring others
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Brooke Mitchell '17 of Columbus, Ohio, was recently featured in her local newspaper...
Advocating for social and environmental action
Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) student Kelly Bono of St. Louis, Missouri, was published on the Metropolitan Congregations United website...
In early November, Dragonfly Kevin Matteson, associate director of the master’s programs, and GFP graduate Mollie O'Neil '13, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden director of commu...
Studying conservation, bettering the world
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Ali Patton of Playa del Rey, California, was featured in Playa Vista magazine...
Grieving with, healing through, nature
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Chau Nguyen of Pomona Valley, California, wrote...
Award-winning educator cultivating eco-literacy to empower kids
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate Rachel Arbor '23 of Beacon, New York, was recently presented...
Saving mangroves, local economies in Thailand
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student Aaron Moy of Bangkok, Thailand, contributed an article...
Global Field Program (GFP) graduate student and environmental educator Rachel Munro of Lilburn, Georgia, was recently published...
Project Dragonfly is ranked #7 in Best Online Biology Master's Degrees by EduMed
Project Dragonfly is honored to have been ranked #7 in Best Online Biology Master's Degrees by EduMed...
A Weekend Gathering of Dragonflies at Missouri Botanical Garden
Thanks to Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) AIP Advisors Susan Baron and Bob Coulter for hosting Dragonfly...
A Memorable AIP Retreat Held in NYC
In September 2023 Project Dragonfly held its 14th annual Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) retreat. Attending the multi-day retreat in New York City, New York, were Dragonfly...
For our 20-year partnership, Miami University President Greg Crawford presented Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden...
Miami’s Project Dragonfly, Cincinnati Zoo celebrate 20 years of partnership
‘Fiona Goes to College’ event helps commemorate anniversary
Dragonfly students awarded fall 2023 scholarships
Congratulations to our fall 2023 scholarship winners!
An initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF), Latino Conservation Week (LCW) was created to support the Latino community getting into...
Happy National Zoo Keeper Week 2023
Happy National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW)! Animal keepers and caregivers have a big job...
Pride Month is a time for celebrating diversity and the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people...
Project Dragonfly Students Awarded Scholarships
Nine Miami University graduate students in Project Dragonfly’s Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) and Global Field Program (GFP) were recently awarded scholarships totaling $7,000...
GFP graduates Susan Dorsey '19 (left) of Baltimore, Maryland, and Katie Mauro '22 of Brookfield, Connecticut, were named 2021 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows by Lindblad Expeditions and Nationa...
Miami University graduate Niki Desautels ‘22 is interviewed and filmed leading a community training on bat monitoring in the Seattle area by Crosscut, a Northwest independent, nonprofit news ...
Mark Plucinski named 2022 Citizen of the Year by Mt. Lookout Ohio
Miami University graduate Mark Plucinski ‘22 of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been selected as the 2022 Mt. Lookout Ohio Citizen of the Year. The award is the result of a project that...
Suzanne Banks published in The Wildlife Professional
Miami University graduate Suzanne Banks ‘22 of East Northport, New York, was published in the March/April 2023 issue of The Wildlife Professional....
Jordan Marino published in Animal Keepers’ Forum
Miami University graduate student Jordan Marino was published in Animal Keepers’ Forum. Marino’s article...
Karina Altman published in Animal Keepers’ Forum
Miami University graduate student Karina Altman was published in Animal Keepers’ Forum. Her article...
