This past year has been unique in many ways. The Simmons Research Lab has taken the necessary precautions for reducing the risk of the spread of COVID-19, and is excited to announce another very successful regardless of having to have navigate these unforeseen circumstances! Our lab has onboarded one graduate and two undergraduate and students during this time (Elizabeth Volpe, Danielle Weisenfeld, and Jackson Carcaba). We are proud to have continued to remain an engaged in a close-knit community during these more isolating times. Through virtual activities, meetings, and regular communication our team was able to remain productive in both individual and collaborative work as well as provide emotional support and mentorship in effective ways. We have even engaged in a number of outdoor, socially distant socials. We met for dinners, to enjoy live music, to meet Dr. Simmons’ new puppy, Lucca, and enjoy an end of year ice cream social. Through these events we have been able to connect and meet each other in order to foster a close and supportive lab community regardless of COIVD-19 circumstances.

“SRL has been one of the best communities I have been a part of, even during COVID. Everyone is very responsive and meets regularly to stay in touch and support each other. We even still meet for fun and safe socials and I have loved getting to meet Dr. Simmons puppy and explore Gainesville!” – Elizabeth Volpe, first year Ph.D student