Today, we’re celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science by sharing the experiences and insights from some of the amazing women in science at our Zoo. Read on to learn more about how these women and girls are using their degrees to make a positive impact on the environment and animals around them. To read all of our features, visit this page.

Let’s meet Erin Gaydar, a learning program facilitator in our conservation learning department.

What is your official title, and how long have you been at the Zoo?

I am a learning program facilitator here at Brevard Zoo! I started at the zoo in July 2024.

What’s your educational background?

I graduated from Edgewood Jr/Sr High School in 2022 and went to study Animal related Biology at the University of South Florida. Halfway through my degree, I got offered a job here and decided to finish my degree locally so I could work here at Brevard Zoo! I am still working on my degree and have also decided to work towards my veterinary technician license at the same time! I hope to eventually specialize in working with large exotic mammals (African mammals are my favorite)!

Why did you pursue your field?

I am pursuing the zoology field because I think sharing my love for animals and educating the public on these amazing creatures is crucial for their survival longevity (it’s also super fun)! Working with animals both hands on and in educational settings has only made my love and enthusiasm for animals stronger.

What are some challenges about your work?

Some challenges I have faced so far in my work within animal biology and zoology would be interpreting conservation efforts and finding good ways to communicate them with the public…also sharing and creating call-to-action suggestions to share ways anyone can help with conservation efforts.

Who motivated you in pursuing your field?

Motivation wise, I have always had support from my family when it came to my STEM interests at a very young age. I competed in my first science fair starting at 8 years old and continued to compete until I graduated high school. The support I had from family and teachers allowed me to compete at a high level and win “Best in Fair” at the Florida State Science & Engineering Fair in 2022, which then allowed me to qualify for the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). I placed 4th in the world in my category and got to star in a National Geographic TV series about my research and journey! So, partially who has kept motivating me is also myself and the amazing experiences I’ve gotten as a woman in STEM.

Tell me more about this opportunity!

I competed in local science fairs from 3^rd to 12^th grade. During my senior year of high school (2022), National Geographic was casting for a TV series called “Science Fair: The Series.” My high school science teacher got approached and asked to pick students to do a ‘screening’ casting with National Geographic and I did one. I passed the casting and got selected to be followed by a film crew for four months while I completed my science fair project to compete. There was a large number of students being followed from all over the world, but as they got eliminated along the way of competing, the film crew narrowed down to nine students for the series.

My project focused on addressing the health concerns of the Indian River Lagoon. My project title was “Abolition of Unfurling Nutrients is the Solution for Elimination of Microalgae in the Indian River Lagoon (Year III),” and it answered the question: Which nutrient removal method results in the most effective elimination of microalgae in the Indian River Lagoon with no harmful effects on the biota?

My project’s goal was to create and test multiple different solutions to help reduce excessive nutrient levels in the Indian River Lagoon and similar bodies of water all over the world. Excessive nutrients in water can lead to all these issues we see in the news today, such as algal blooms, red tides fish kills, etc.

What advice would you offer young girls pursuing a career in science?

I would tell young girls pursuing a career in STEM that anything is possible for them if they put themselves out there! I would also tell them that they will always have fellow women in STEM to go too for advice, mentoring and support. No goal is ever too big if you keep trying for it!

What’s the most fulfilling part of your job?

Working at Brevard Zoo is extremely fulfilling, I get the best of both worlds as I get to interact with both animals and guests. I would say the MOST fulfilling part of my job are the interactions I have with kids that really fascinate them and allow me to help them find their passion for science right here at the zoo!

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Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.