class of 2004, currently pursuing a master's degree in biology
What I like about ACU’s biology department.
Reflecting back on my time at ACU as a biology major, one of the things I’m most grateful for was the opportunity to do undergraduate research. As a field biologist, I know that many undergraduates at bigger schools with masters and doctoral programs never get the chance to participate in research abroad with professors.
At ACU, I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Ecuador for a 
month, taking part in a mammal survey of the Tandayapa Valley northwest of Quito. At roughly 6,500 feet in elevation, the area is covered in cloud forests and the biological diversity is simply unfathomable. My fondest memory from the trip is accidentally finding myself in the midst of a swarm of army ants late one night while taking a bat out of a mist net.
In less than 30 seconds, I was wearing nothing but my 
underpants and a head flashlight. I had been stung from head to toe (and everywhere in between) but luckily had no allergic reaction. It took three people 45 minutes to remove the ants from my clothes so that I could get dressed again. The local people have a word for these ants that translates roughly as “take off your underwear.” I now know where the name comes from.
It was experiences like these, and many others, that I’ll take with me from my time at ACU. It’s a place where professors show a strong interest in the growth and development of their students and the opportunities for learning and research are outstanding.
