Graduating Senior Spotlight: Owen North
By: TAMU Biology
Meet Owen North, a 2025 graduating senior in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University. Hear about Owen’s journey at Texas A&M, what he has in store next, and his advice to TAMU students along the way!
What inspired you to major in Biology at Texas A&M?
My parents and family always encouraged me to be curious and ask questions, which sparked my fascination with the world around me. Texas A&M Biology offered the opportunity to learn more about this interest and has ignited my passion for research, eventually enabling me to contribute to our scientific progress.
What has been your favorite biology class or lab experience, and why?
Although I consider myself a neuroscientist and an evolutionary biologist, my favorite course at Texas A&M was Bacterial Genetics with Dr. Sorg. This course combines molecular genetics and bacteriology with incredible lectures and relevant peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Sorg is a wonderful teacher and mentor, and I have recommended his course to countless undergraduates.
Tell us about a research project, internship, or student org that made a big impact on your time here.
I had the wonderful opportunity to travel abroad to Mexico City, Mexico, with a graduate student for a collaborative research project. We spent 5 full days abroad, establishing a recording setup at our collaborator’s facility and finding time to explore the beautiful city. This experience was a pivotal moment in my undergraduate journey as it showed me opportunities that research provides and convinced me to pursue a career in academia.
Additionally, I loved being an Undergraduate Research Ambassador at Texas A&M. I was able to work with students who shared my passion for research while working to promote undergraduate involvement in research across the university.
What’s the most surprising or coolest thing you learned as a biology major?
As an undergraduate researcher, I studied the evolution of sleep in Mexican cavefish. While writing my undergraduate thesis, I was able to dive deeper into the vast amount of literature studying sleep in organisms across the animal kingdom. I thought it was fascinating that researchers have identified a sleep-like state in evolutionarily ancient cnidarians such as the jellyfish Cassiopea and in Hydra. These findings highlight the deeply conserved role of sleep across the animal kingdom and display that sleep played a critical role in biological systems prior to the centralization of the nervous system.
Who has been your biggest mentor or source of support at TAMU?
There have been so many extraordinary individuals who have supported and mentored me during my time at Texas A&M. Of particular note is Dr. Alex Keene, whom I have been working under for the past 3 years. His contagious optimism and passion for science have influenced my love for science and my pursuit of graduate school. He has relentlessly supported me throughout this journey and will continue to be a mentor and friend beyond my time at Texas A&M.
Additionally, Aakriti Rastogi, a graduate student whom I worked under in the Keene laboratory, has been an outstanding mentor and friend. She has made countless sacrifices to promote my growth in research, and without her, I would not be in the position I am today.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating with my B.S. in Biology from Texas A&M, I will be continuing my academic journey at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Chancellor’s Fellow in the Dynamical Neuroscience Department. I will be pursuing my PhD under the guidance of Dr. Craig Montell, studying the neurobiology of mosquitoes in hopes of combating these dangerous disease vectors.
I’m incredibly thankful for the mentors, peers, and experiences that Texas A&M has provided me with to build the foundation necessary to pursue my dreams of becoming a professor.
What advice would you give to new Biology students?
Texas A&M is a large school with nearly infinite resources and opportunities, but you have to be proactive and seek them out. I wish someone had told me early on to get more involved in student organizations and university events, because those experiences are often what you take with you after you leave. Also, don’t be afraid to fail and always be yourself, you will find your passion and your people in time.
What Aggie tradition or memory will you treasure most?
As someone who grew up in College Station, I will always treasure the sense of community that Texas A&M has been built upon. This community expands into every tradition, from the Big Event to Muster, Aggies are leaders in their communities and look out for each other and their families. If there is any tradition I hope to carry as I move on from this wonderful place, it’s to be someone that others can count on and trust to lead with compassion.
