We have former students from all across the the globe doing all sorts of amazing things! We have educators, researchers, lawyers, practitioners, park rangers, zoo keepers, lab technicians, etc. We are very proud of the accomplishments of all of our students.

Please drop us an email, send us a photo and let us know what you've been up to. Email us at biology.alumni@ttu.edu.

Dr. Natasja van Gestel

Dr. Natasja van Gestel graduated with her Ph.D. in Biology in 2012. Dr. While at TTU, Dr. van Gestel was advised by Dr. John Zak and Dr. David Tissue where she studied, "The effect of daily temperature variability on microbial and plant processes in a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem". Dr. van Gestel is currently an Associate Professor within our department and is currently using modeling to understand changes to the carbon cycle in order to determine whether terrestrial ecosystems will respond positively or negatively to climate change. Dr. Natasja van Gestel was recently  designated Station Science Leader at Palmer Station for the Antarctic Summer 2024-2025 period by the NSF. You can follow her travels at:

Blog:nvangestel.com 

Instagram:Antarctic Research Adventures

Dr. Kendra Phelps

Dr. Kendra Phelps received her Ph.D. in Zoology from the Department of Biological Sciences in 2016. As a member of Dr. Tigga Kingston's research lab, Dr. Phelps studied the impacts of human disturbance on cave-roosting bats in the Philippines. Currently, Dr. Phelps is a wildlife disease ecologist at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Her current and prior research have allowed her to travel extensively to build the capacity of global partners to conduct zoonotic disease biosurveillance while promoting wildlife conservation. Dr. Phelps has over 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has given over 70 presentations at national and international conferences.

Dr. Phelps was featured in an National Geographic Virus Hunters episode.

Dr. Mackenzie Ewert

Dr. Mackenzie Ewert, DO, CPPS graduated with his B.S. in Biology in 2017. Dr. Ewart stated, "The education I received at Texas Tech University prepared me to think critically and outside of the box, and that is where I often find diagnoses today in my patients’ lives.” Dr. Ewart attend medical school at UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ewart is currently a general surgery resident at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. In 2022, he placed 1st nationally for a Scientific Podium Presentation at the Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons. This helped him to be recognized as the "Best Resident" in Texas in the Best in Texas Magazine Doctor's Edition 2022.