Passion and adaptability shapes unique academic path

Katie Gavek’s journey from aspiring marine biologist to psychology major at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven reveals how passion and adaptability can shape a unique academic path — one that ultimately led her to a transformative summer at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Virginia.

Initially drawn to marine biology, Gavek found the heavy focus on chemistry and biology challenging. After consulting her professors and advisors, she discovered a way to merge her love for marine life with a psychology major, complemented by a biology minor. This combination allowed her to explore animal behavior through psychology while still engaging with biological sciences, especially animal anatomy and genetics.

"I'm passionate about animals and learning more about their behavior in order to train them," Gavek said. "Animals are fascinating to me because they cannot talk as easily as humans can but instead, they talk with their body language and actions which we, as humans, must be able to interpret in order to understand what they want or need."

This intrigued her deeply because interpreting these signals is key to training animals using positive reinforcement, fostering cooperation and mutual understanding.

Gavek’s opportunity at Chincoteague Bay began unexpectedly when a vibrant poster outside her classroom introduced her to Lock Haven’s partnership with the field station. What started as curiosity quickly blossomed into a commitment to participate in a three-week behavioral ecology course that combined her psychology and biology interests. The program involved daily field trips to marshes, forests, dunes, oceans, and islands, immersing her in hands-on research and real-world animal behavior.

"I was very excited to be engaging with things that I'm passionate about," Gavek said. "I was excited to learn more about the creatures of the sea. I wanted to learn everything I could in those three weeks about why different animals behave the way they do and what kind of day-to-day decisions they face."

This experience broadened her understanding far beyond the classroom. Katie learned to identify various species on her own, discern habitats and tides, and even recognize poisonous plants. She connected her zoology knowledge to ecological behaviors she observed, such as how animal anatomy supports survival and defense. The course’s intimate setting, with frequent outdoor learning on beaches and dunes, made complex concepts tangible and fostered a creative, collaborative environment.

"I knew learning about behavior was mostly about psychology and the ecology part of this course brought the biology perspective into the class," Gavek said. "Being about to combine both my psychology major and biology minor was very important to me to get an all-around perspective."

For Gavek, the behavioral ecology focus perfectly bridged her dual interests — psychology’s insight into decision-making and cognition with biology’s ecological context. She gained a deeper appreciation for animal communication, mating strategies, parenting behaviors, and survival tactics, all illustrating the intricate interplay between brain, behavior, and environment.

A highlight of her summer at the field station is the welcoming community — staff, professors, and returning students who remembered her and offered continuous support. This sense of belonging boosted her confidence and made her fieldwork more rewarding.

"A summer experience like this is very beneficial because it gives students an opportunity to stand out and be excited to share their unique opportunities," Gavek said. "Having opportunities like this allows students to get their hands and feet wet while learning about new things in a completely different environment."

"For me, having class on the beach or in a dune forest made learning much more engaging and helped me to have a visual and tactile understanding about the content I am learning about. Being outside of a classroom and having a smaller class size allowed me to be more creative and open so I could communicate more with my classmates and professor."

The experience has enriched Katie’s connection to nature, sharpening her skills in predicting animal behavior and appreciating all creatures’ roles in the ecosystem. Lock Haven’s psychology program, through dedicated faculty and personalized advising, has helped her navigate this interdisciplinary path and prepare for future opportunities, cementing her academic and professional growth.

Katie’s story embodies how curiosity, mentorship, and hands-on exploration can open doors to unexpected and fulfilling career avenues, blending science and passion with real-world experience amid the beauty of Chincoteague Bay.