Summary
Autumn Gray is an emerging conservation genomics researcher and Graduate Teaching Assistant with a strong track record of sequencing and assembling mitogenomes for understudied mesocarnivores and practical lab experience in hormone assays and stable isotope sample prep. Based in the Washington DC–Baltimore area, she combines classroom teaching, field surveys, and computational genetics to tackle questions about human impacts on marine and terrestrial populations. Her work at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation produced the first complete mitochondrial genomes for the Saharan striped polecat and Cape fox and led to GenBank submissions and a manuscript in preparation. Autumn’s interests focus on Pacific marine species—hammerhead sharks, sea lions, and sea turtles—and she aims to pursue a PhD to contribute to projects like the California Conservation Genomics Project. Beyond bench and field skills, she has trained peers and developed instructional materials, from tutoring curricula to video guides for lab processes and AI annotation field guides. Persistent curiosity about applying genetics to restoration drives her interdisciplinary approach to conservation.
14 years of coding experience
2 years of employment as a software developer
Advanced Studies High School Diploma, IT Program, Advanced Studies High School Diploma, IT Program at Battlefield High School
Bachelor of Science - BS, Bachelor of Science - BS at Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
Master of Science - MS, Master of Science - MS at George Mason University