#FindThatLizard Scholarship

At a lively outdoor event, children and adults gather around tables filled with hands-on activities. Dr. Earyn McGee, wearing a red shirt, leans in to help a child with the task at hand.

Storytime!🗣️📖

When Dr. Earyn McGee was pursuing her PhD, she planned to present her research at a national scientific conference. However, she accidentally booked the wrong dates. By the time she realized her error, the fee to rebook would be $750.

Dr. McGee lamented how she would miss her talk on X (Twitter at the time). Priya Nanjappa, a fellow herpetologist, saw her tweet and offered to cover the cost with no repayment needed:The only stipulation was that Dr. McGee pay it forward. Please help her to do just that!

A young child in a straw hat looks closely at a lizard being held out for observation, surrounded by curious kids.

A group of people hike up a sunlit path surrounded by greenery, led by two smiling people.

This scholarship will support girls, women, and gender non-conforming people who want to pursue herpetology with a special focus on those who identify as Black or people of color. Funding can support tuition, professional development, field gear, and travel. The scholarship application process will open in mid-October. 

Last year, we awarded $2,800 to three recipients. Read their stories here and see how your donations make a real, tangible impact in supporting our scientists.

Dr. Earyn McGee, wearing a red shirt, crouches close to the ground, holding her lizard lasso—a collapsed fishing pole she uses to safely catch lizards— ready for action! The natural surroundings reflect the outdoor environment where she conducts her fieldwork as a dedicated herpetologist.

A young woman wearing a backpack gazes up at the trees during a hike in the forest.

Our goal for 2025 is to raise $5000 for the scholarship fund.

Want to be alerted when the applications open up? Sign up for our newsletter here, or come back to this page in October.