I am a senior at Herricks High School, and throughout my life, I have always loved animals and the environment. Beginning with an interest in marine animals, my fascination transformed to include animals much less “mainstream” than the usual dolphin or whale; I chose bats. What make bats so elusive yet also so appealing are their varying sources of nutrition, which, depending on their species, may come from blood, nectar, meat, or vegetation. Therefore, my project this summer in the Dávalos lab is related to the evolutionary patterns in several species of bats belonging to the family, Phyllostomidae, with respect to variations in their vital mitochondrial gene, cytochrome b, both within and between species. In completing this project, I look forward to having a greater knowledge regarding the legacy of genetic variation on bats as well as the fundamentals of data analysis through programming with R, generating alignments, and studying phylogenies. To me, working in the Dávalos lab means being able to explore unique ideas about the environment and to appreciate the ability to not only envision a goal or question, but also understand the means to solve that problem. I hope to apply the research I have conducted surrounding bats to my future career in the sciences and to utilize the skills I have learned to improve the way I think and collaborate.