Biology graduate student finds career inspiration researching extinct marine arthropods

For Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg graduate student Madison Moody ’25, an unexpected research opportunity is shaping her entire career path.

Her journey started in a paleontology class taught by Alan Gishlick, assistant professor of physical and environmental sciences at Bloomsburg, where she showed interest in topics like speciation and taphonomy. A project involving GIS (geographic information systems) maps of jellyfish preservation potential caught her professor’s attention.

When Gishlick later reached out with an idea for a trilobite research project — one that needed someone with GIS skills — the Bloomsburg environmental geoscience graduate was hesitant. She didn’t know much about trilobites, especially those from Morocco.

“I wasn’t completely on board at first,” admitted Moody, who’s currently pursuing a master’s in biology at Bloomsburg. “But Dr. Gishlick believed in me. He encouraged me to take on the challenge and assured me that I could do great things with this research. That support made all the difference.”

What started as a leap of faith has grown into a deeply valuable experience that’s now influencing Moody’s entire career path. Her thesis blends paleontology and GIS technology to investigate Moroccan trilobites, fossils often obtained through commercial sales. However, missing or incomplete contextual data creates challenges.

Through her work, she’s using GIS and geochemical analysis to recover that lost data and better understand the origins of these ancient fossils. However, the most meaningful outcome was the experience that revealed her passion.

“I’ve developed a real love for GIS and cartography through this project,” she said. “It’s not just about fossils anymore. It’s about what maps and data can tell us — and that’s something I want to keep exploring long-term.”

After presenting her work at the Geological Society of America (GSA) conference, Moody began seriously considering a career in geography. She’s currently researching Ph.D. programs, including the University of Maryland’s Geography Program, with the goal of specializing in GIS and cartography.

“Presenting at GSA gave me the confidence to think bigger,” she explained. “I had the chance to connect with professionals and students doing cutting-edge GIS work. It showed me that there’s a whole field out there where I can make an impact.”

The GSA experience was more than just a presentation — it was a turning point. Moody left with new skills, valuable feedback, and a clearer vision of what is possible.

“One of my favorite parts was seeing all the different research being done by other students and professionals,” she said. “I learned about new GIS and cartography techniques that I might be able to apply to my own work or even use in a future job.”

She added, “Meeting people with similar interests, getting to talk about my research, and hearing about theirs really helped me grow. It’s a confidence boost to know your work matters and that others are genuinely interested in it.”

With her thesis still underway and a potential Ph.D. program on the horizon, Moody is looking ahead with enthusiasm. Her goal is to teach geography at the college level, blending her passion for science, mapping, and research.

“None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t been encouraged to try something outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “This experience helped me find a career direction I genuinely love.”