Geneticist and Science Communicator
SKILLS
Scientific Writing | Video Production | Photography | Graphic Design | Leadership
Click to learn about my research & teaching
Video Production
I wrote, produced, and narrated the following award-winning videos.
One Cell to Rule Them All — Chlamydomonas
An outreach video about how studying a single-celled alga called  Chlamydomonas has pushed forward our understanding of cell biology and human health.

Why Study Glowing Animals?

A YouTube Short/TikTok-style science explainer about the importance of Green Fluorescent Protein.

Leapin’ Lizards! A New Model to Study Reptile Development
An educational video about an emerging model organism that can help us better understand the mechanisms underlying reptile development and evolution.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TRANSCRIPTS
OUTREACH
As STEMzone Outreach Booth Captain, I spearheaded production of an interactive, fun, and all-ages booth to educate attendees about genetics research at UGA. I managed a team of undergraduate and graduate students to lead the educational booth activities. Click here for the complete writeup.
Posters and UGA Genetics logo designed by Aaron Alcala.
Click here for more about my Outreach activities
PHOTOGRAPHY
My photos and videos of lizards are published in Cell Reports and Current Biology. My image of a gene-edited albino lizard is featured on the journal cover.
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has enabled direct manipulation of gene function in fish, amphibian, avian, and mammalian species. There is, however, an absence of reptilian model systems with effective tools to study gene function. Rasys et al. report a method that allows the generation of genetically modified lizards through the injection of Cas9 RNP into immature lizard oocytes. Here, we show a newly hatched albino Anolis lizard that carries CRISPR-Cas9-induced mutations in the tyrosinase gene. This photograph was taken by Aaron Alcala.
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has enabled direct manipulation of gene function in fish, amphibian, avian, and mammalian species. There is, however, an absence of reptilian model systems with effective tools to study gene function. Rasys et al. report a method that allows the generation of genetically modified lizards through the injection of Cas9 RNP into immature lizard oocytes. Here, we show a newly hatched albino Anolis lizard that carries CRISPR-Cas9-induced mutations in the tyrosinase gene. This photograph was taken by Aaron Alcala.
Our collaborators at McGill University studied the genomes of different ball pythons and found a mutation in a gene called "tfec" that is associated with the piebald color pattern. Our lab used CRISPR to create mutations in the tfec gene in anole lizards.T he WT is a wild-type brown anole. Wild type just means it displays the most common trait(s) seen in nature. The lizard on the right has a mutation in the tfec gene. Mutant lizards lack pigmentation in the snout and limbs. We also found that they lack iridophores, a type of pigment-producing cell that reflects light. This makes the tfec mutant skin partially translucent, allowing bones and large blood vessels to become more visible in certain parts of the body.
Our collaborators at McGill University studied the genomes of different ball pythons and found a mutation in a gene called "tfec" that is associated with the piebald color pattern. Our lab used CRISPR to create mutations in the tfec gene in anole lizards.T he WT is a wild-type brown anole. Wild type just means it displays the most common trait(s) seen in nature. The lizard on the right has a mutation in the tfec gene. Mutant lizards lack pigmentation in the snout and limbs. We also found that they lack iridophores, a type of pigment-producing cell that reflects light. This makes the tfec mutant skin partially translucent, allowing bones and large blood vessels to become more visible in certain parts of the body.
A wild-type brown anole (right) laying on a rock next to a brown anole with a mutation in the tfec gene (left). The tfec mutant lizard lacks pigmentation in the snout and limbs.
A wild-type brown anole (right) laying on a rock next to a brown anole with a mutation in the tfec gene (left). The tfec mutant lizard lacks pigmentation in the snout and limbs.
Five photos I took of lizards were winners in the Anole Annals photo contest. My 1st place image of a green anole is on the cover.
Several different anole species photographed by Aaron Alcala.
Several different anole species photographed by Aaron Alcala.
Aaron holding the Anole Annals 2023 Calendar.
Aaron holding the Anole Annals 2023 Calendar.
My macro photos of alligator and anole embryos are featured on the Society for Developmental Biology website.
American alligator embryos at four stages of development (not to scale). Photos by Aaron Alcala.
American alligator embryos at four stages of development (not to scale). Photos by Aaron Alcala.
Brown anole embryos stained (w/ Alcian blue) and photographed by Aaron Alcala.
Brown anole embryos stained (w/ Alcian blue) and photographed by Aaron Alcala.
Past Partners
Arcadia Science
Arcadia Science
Society for Developmental Biology
Society for Developmental Biology
Anole Annals
Anole Annals
Answer in Progress
Answer in Progress
Pinoy Scientists
Pinoy Scientists
UGA Genetics Graduate Student Association
UGA Genetics Graduate Student Association
UGA Developmental Biology Alliance
UGA Developmental Biology Alliance
Georgia Science and Engineering Fair
Georgia Science and Engineering Fair
Sterrin's Wild World
Sterrin's Wild World
Phuture Doctors
Phuture Doctors
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