Gabrielle studied biology and ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology, and looks up to women conservation heroes like Jane Goodall and Rachel Carson.

Like many SEPARC members, Gabrielle’s interest in nature conservation started early. “I loved being outdoors as a child and that love of nature and of learning how things worked,” Gabrielle reminisced about her path to herpetology.

As an adult and woman scientist, her career path brought her to what many wildlife fans would consider a “dream” job working for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Divisionas a Wildlife Diversity Biologist.

Her work roaming forests, fields and streams in search of reptiles and amphibians shows Gabrielle has a good sense of adventure. When prompted to imagine what incredible animal adaptation she’d most like to have –  she answered “I would love to be able to easily run up vertical surfaces like a lizard can!” That skill certainly could come in handy for wildlife surveys!

Without reptile-inspired super powers, she relies on her solid scientific training and background to do the work of wildlife conservation in North Carolina.

Join us in honoring Gabrielle Graeter’s leadership role in SEPARC this March for Women’s History Month and for bringing the “her” to #HERpetology, where women scientists are at the forefront of the study of reptiles, amphibians, and their habitats.