06/08/2026
๐ฟ๐ Congratulations to our 2026 BSA Young Botanists Award recipient: Katelyn Ouzts!
What started as an interest in lichens grew into opportunities for research, scientific presentations, mentoring fellow students, and preparing a manuscript for publication. Their journey is a testament to the impact of curiosity, hard work, and the support of a strong academic community.
๐ฌ A piece of advice they share with other students:
"Follow the things that genuinely make you curious, even if you are not exactly sure where they will lead. Donโt wait until you feel qualified to try something, jump into opportunities, you will figure things out as you go, and allow yourself to grow through the process."
Looking toward the future, they hope to attend graduate school and continue studying how environmental stressors affect lichens and fungi while contributing to research, education, and community involvement that helps protect and care for the natural world.
Join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement! ๐ฑ๐