My name is Ella Boback and I am a senior Biology major at Bucknell University. Growing up, my family had a strong connection with the outdoors so I was raised in a wildlife-focused household. Fishing and hunting developed the deep respect I have for nature and the organisms in it. My parents would take my brother and me out to all sorts of habitats whether it was swamps looking for turtles or alligators, vernal pools trying to catch salamanders, or just generally looking for snakes. I grew up surrounded by a love for herpetology, and it has steered my academic path in college.

After college, I plan to go to graduate school in a lab focusing on animal behavior, ecology, and evolution of herpetofauna. I hope to gain experience such that I can aid in the conservation of these highly impacted species.

Outside of academics, I am an athlete and captain on the Track and Field team at Bucknell. I love to be outside as much as possible, especially fly fishing and hiking on my weekends. I also enjoy reading, writing, and traveling with my friends and family.