Bradley Scholten earned his B.S. in Biology from Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI) in 2019, where he developed a passion for interdisciplinary ecological research at the human-wildlife interface. As an undergraduate, he studied avian schistosome parasites responsible for swimmer’s itch and investigated the physiological and behavioral effects of drone flight on tree swallows. Now pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution at NC State, Bradley joined the Genetics and Genomics Scholars program in Fall 2020. His research, a collaborative effort with the Burford Reiskind and Kays labs, explores the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in songbirds—examining where these birds acquire resistant bacteria and their potential role as reservoirs. Approaching his work through a One Health perspective, Bradley also became an NCSU Global One Health Fellow in 2024. Outside the lab, Bradley enjoys maintaining aquariums and houseplants, following Michigan State basketball, and traveling with his wife to destinations that offer snorkeling and/or hiking. Check out Bradley’s origin story HERE!