She decided to pursue an MS in Agriculture once she graduated. As a postgraduate student at Cal Poly Pomona, she uncovered how agriculture influences policy and vice versa. Outside the classroom, she worked in the arthropods and beekeeping laboratories. Everything came full circle when she was tasked to teach the introductory insect class she once took herself — the opportunity certainly prepared her for her next academic step, which will be a PhD this fall at Colorado State University.

Growing up in Glendale, California, Lara Amiri Kazaz loved the outdoors, so it wasn’t surprising to anyone when she decided to study plant science at Cal Poly Pomona. During her second year, she discovered her interest in insects, which remained strong throughout her undergraduate years and opened doors to state-of-the-art laboratories. Under Dr. Anna L Soper, she began assisting in research and delving deep into the topics she cared about.

Kazaz also interned for several graduate students who were working on their own research projects. It wasn’t long until she got inspired to follow in their footsteps.