Marissa is a PhD student in the Mikaelyan Lab studying the effects of diet on the social behavior, nutritional content, and gut and fecal microbiomes of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. She earned an associate’s degree at Wake Technical Community College and a bachelor’s degree in biology at Meredith College. In her free time, she enjoys science communication, volunteering at outreach events, macro photography, making art, spending time with family and her pets, and playing tabletop games with friends.