Name: Ms. (for now- I’m newly engaged!) Olivia (Kirby) Dzurny

Tell Us About Yourself. I’m from St. Louis, Missouri and a student at George Washington University.

What do you do here at DEB? I’m a Program Assistant with the responsibilities of an Administrative Support Assistant.  This means I help organize and set-up panels and help coordinate travel for visiting panelists.

What are you studying in school? Creative writing and international affairs – however, most of what I have learned while in college has come from experiences outside the classroom, such as my positions with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo.

How did you find out about NSF? I looked for science-based organizations that needed management help!

Cake or pie? Pie – unless it is cheesecake…or unless the cake is actually ice cream.

What do you like about working here? I truly love being surrounded by people who are experts in their field. I love to learn! Having the ability to sit in on panel discussions or lectures is a huge benefit to my position. The people are nice, too.

Where do you want to travel one day? I want to live in New Zealand – partly because of the Lord of the Rings, but mostly because it is gorgeous.

Anything else??? I am interested in studying animals and hope to find a career in helping support museums, zoos, and aquariums around the country. More than anything, I’m an explorer at heart. Traveling and writing are my two biggest passions in life.