Texas Tech University

Lexi Garcia, Ph.D.

LexiGarcia

Biography

My hometown is Allen, Texas but I have lived in New Jersey, Chicago, San Francisco Bay Area, Monterrey Mexico, and Seattle. I have always dreamed of being a wildlife biologist, and have a soft spot in my heart for my little shelled friends. Turtles are fascinating to me because of their incredible evolutionary history. These critters have been on Earth since the dawn of time, and are perfectly adapted to their environment. I am interested in learning more about the life history, physiology, and urban habitat variables that influence aquatic turtles' ability to thrive, even in a busy city playa in our region. I have a wonderful husband, Idean Nikrooyan whom is a resident ophthalmologist at TTUHSC, and we met in Dr. Lou Densmore's herpetology class in 2004. In my free time, I enjoy learning new languages, cooking ethnic foods, baking, and watching sci-fi movies or 90's TV series. I played competitive soccer, and love to do outdoorsy stuff like kayaking, camping, swimming, SCUBA and sailing. We also have two spoiled felines at home; Benjamin a 10 year old Spotted Bengal, and Mr. Snugglepants is a pleasantly plump little barn kitty. If  you are a brave soul, come visit me in the lab and I can show you some turtle blood cells under the scope!