Cristina Harry Receives 2026 Master’s Research Award

Cristina Harry of the Traniello Lab is this year’s recipient of the Master’s Research Award. This award provides a one-semester Research Assistantship to a continuing Biology MS student who stands out in their field of research.

Cristina studies gustatory polyphenisms between subcastes of the leaf cutter ant species, Atta cephalotes. Leaf cutter ants have a unique social structure characterized by division of labor, and she aims to understand whether the different responsibilities of workers influence taste preferences within the colony. Her research addresses these questions using electrophysiological techniques to record action potentials from gustatory receptors in response to different tastant solutions. Cristina received her BS in Biology from the University of Central Florida and later worked as a Hoofstock Keeper at Franklin Park Zoo before beginning graduate studies at Boston University. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, especially birding, yoga, and spending time with her cat, Clementine.

Congratulations, Cristina!