Summer 2026 Featured Undergraduate: Amelia Hawk
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EmailMeet Amelia Hawk, an undergraduate student studying entomology at MSU.
Amelia Hawk
Hometown: Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
Major or Minor: Major
Expected Graduation: 2029
Q: What’s been one of your most rewarding experiences in your studies so far?
A: Just realizing how far I have come and how much I have learned. I take a step back and think, "Wow, I did not know any of this a year ago, I can only imagine how much more I will know next year, or even by the time I graduate.”
Q: What inspired you to choose entomology as your area of study?
A: I grew up like many people, afraid of bugs. I let this fear control my life; I let it prevent me from doing things I loved like hiking, camping or just spending time outdoors. Finally, around 13 years old, I decided I was tired of being afraid and felt the best way to get over my fears would be to educate myself. Soon I realized that I found bugs incredibly fascinating and loved learning about them.
Q: How do you balance your studies with other aspects of college life?
A: Honestly, I am kind of a nut when it comes to getting things done. As soon as I am assigned something, it is done that day. I am always very on top of my work. However, I do struggle with feeling like I am never doing enough. I always feel like I should be doing research, working in a lab, working a job, maintain a social life with peers and friends, in societies and clubs, getting 4.0s in every class, double majoring, and graduating early. How could I expect myself to accomplish all of this? I work to narrow down to only a couple goals that I can actually accomplish, but it never feels like it is enough.
Q: Is there a particular insect or topic in entomology that fascinates you, and what drew you to it?
A: I am really fascinated by insect borne illness, and the impact climate change has on insects. One crossover of these interests is the status of ticks. Climate change has had a significant impact on tick populations; deforestation pushes these ticks into urban spaces, and humans get more ticks on them. I just love to see how all these problems are intertwined in small ways people often overlook. Outside of this, I love forensic entomology. I have always been interested in forensics, and I love bugs, so this is an awesome crossover of two things I like.
