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Carly Feiro '12
Carly Feiro ’12 (Mount Vernon, Wash.), a biology major and outfielder on the softball team, discusses her work conserving the environment, research she is presenting at a national conference, and what it’s like being a team captain.
What do you enjoy about your major?
I love being able to do field work and being outside. A lot of my classes have outdoor lab sessions where everything is hands on. Being a biology major makes me feel like I can contribute to conserving the environment and, being from Washington, I am constantly surrounded by the natural environment and want to keep it from being degraded.
Talk about your upcoming trip to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. How did you get involved? What will you be presenting?
I am very excited to have the opportunity to present my research in Utah. I loved my conservation biology class that I took in the fall of my junior year and approached the professor about doing research with her. My research is titled “Status and Trends of Macroinvertebrate Communities as Indicators of Water Quality: a Tool to Assess Dam Removal.” There has been a proposal to remove many small dams along the Bushkill Creek, and my research is monitoring how the dam removal will affect water quality and aquatic species composition and diversity.
Are you involved in any activities or clubs outside of softball?
I am the vice president of the Sports Marketing Club and a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
What roles have you assumed as a team captain this season?
Since we have four captains this year, we decided in the summer to break up our roles so each of us have a specific duty as captain. It was a unanimous decision that I would be the one to make sure everyone knew their places; my title became “The Enforcer.” I am the captain that makes sure that everyone is giving their all, mentally and physically, at every practice and in every game.
What is it like to spend a week with your team in Florida to kick off the season?
Spending the week with the team is like spending a week with your in-laws. It’s a lot of fun to be in Florida and play softball in the sunshine, but spending every moment with your teammates can get to be a little much. That’s why we have our annual paintball match on our day off to relieve some of the tension and “accidentally” shoot coach. All of the different personalities really come through, and we learn a lot about each other in a short amount of time. And, ultimately, we have a lot of fun and we’re in Florida… who could complain about that?
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
My favorite sport to play is volleyball; you’ll be able to see some of the softball girls peppering on The Quad in the spring. My favorite sports to watch are hockey and college basketball.
What television show have you seen every episode of?
Thanks to my roommates and Netflix, “Brothers and Sisters” and “Private Practice.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ireland
Your Theme Song: “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
Food You Can’t Live Without: A burger from Sláinte Irish Pub
Team-Given Nickname: Car
Words to Live By: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss