Send Dayla to the Galapagos
Get to know a little more about me and why this trip will change my life!
Who Is Dayla Dillon?
Currently, I am a full-time UIC student double majoring in Biological science (with concentration in Ecology and Evolution) and Earth and Environmental sciences. In my downtime, I enjoy spending time outdoors and finding new ways to turn recycled materials into sustainable works of art. Recently, my recycled magazine collages were featured in Mulberry Literary (my first publication experience ever!)
For the past two years, I have been interning with the US Army Corp of Engineers to monitor fish populations in Illinois waterways. This has helped prepare me for my future career, where I plan to become a field biologist who researches ecosystem conservation. I would especially love to dedicate my time to environmental restoration projects and organizations whose mission is to conserve and protect shrinking natural areas.
Mission Galapagos is-a-go!
And now, through my university, I've been presented with the opportunity to travel abroad-- studying green sea turtles and sea lions first-hand on the Galapagos Islands!
Ever since learning about this proposed trip in my first year at UIC, I’ve dreamed of making it a reality. This study abroad program will help me gain the necessary experience to advance my career with research and conservation efforts worldwide. Due to my remote courses, I have missed out on many class-related fieldwork opportunities like this in the past. Last year, the alarming spread of Covid led to the delay and cancellation of this trip in particular.
By allowing time to immerse myself in new environments and culture, this trip will expand my horizons and level of comfort for long-term field projects. This firsthand experience in the Galapagos puts my abilities to the test as a student biologist, especially in this tropical environment! Doing so provides me with a more well-rounded understanding of ecological issues in places beyond Chicagoland; I also will have a better grasp on which environments I work best in.
Leaving the US on July15th, this will be a four-week-long trip, so, as you can imagine, this life changing experience comes with a hefty price tag! The program fees directly fund the conservation and protection of the wildlife we observe, allowing students like myself to work alongside seasoned biologists and ecologists. I aim to raise at least half of the cost of the trip, shown below: The anticipated out-of-pocket costs shown below were provided through my university.
