Kyla Pierce

Kyla Pierce has a diverse work experience. Kyla began as a Research Assistant at Burkepile Lab in 2019, where they developed field and laboratory skills, as well as expertise in science communication and project collaboration. Kyla also worked as a Peer Advisor at UC Santa Barbara that same year, where they provided guidance in course scheduling, major selection, and major progress checks. In 2020, Kyla worked as a Research Assistant for Spotting Giant Sea Bass, a collaborative community science project utilizing pattern recognition software to study the critically endangered Giant Sea Bass. Kyla also completed an independent project within the group - a social network analysis of giant sea bass. In 2021, Kyla worked as a Laboratory Microbiologist at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where they preformed crucial public COVID-19 testing and worked with the virology unit to process specimens for whole genome sequencing. Finally, Kyla worked as a Server at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in 2019, where they balanced school and laboratory positions while maintaining high levels of customer service in line with the Ritz-Carlton's Gold Standard. Kyla is currently a Research Associate at C16 Biosciences.

Kyla Pierce attended North Tahoe High School from 2013 to 2017, graduating with a High School Diploma. Kyla then attended UC Santa Barbara from 2017 to 2021, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, General.