معرفی
Christina Anaya, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), part of the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Oklahoma State University and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic State University. Her research focuses on parasite ecology, host-parasite interactions, and taxonomy of nematomorphs (hairworms), with fieldwork spanning locations like Iceland, Oklahoma, and Florida. Anaya is committed to undergraduate research mentorship, particularly examining parasites of invasive species in Florida. She teaches courses in parasitology, invertebrate zoology, and comparative physiology.
Her professional memberships include the American Society of Parasitologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Notable awards include the 2024 Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award and a Fulbright/NSF Scholarship to Iceland (2017-2018). She actively secures grants for student research and invasive species studies, such as the 2025 Macias Wildlife Society Grant on iguana diets.
Anaya’s research emphasizes field and molecular methods to explore parasite distribution, life cycles, and biodiversity. She mentors students through independent and senior research projects, integrating lab and field experiences with courses like Medical and Veterinary Parasitology. Her work highlights Florida’s ecological challenges with invasive species and their associated parasites.
