Larry Laubach, Earning a Master’s in Biological Sciences, to Speak at ESU’s Graduate Commencement

Posted by: admin on May 6, 2014, No Comments

Larry Laubach, who is earning his Master of Science in biological sciences, is the inaugural student speaker for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse. He currently has a 4.0 cumulative grade point average.

Mr. Laubach graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor of Science in environmental studies from East Stroudsburg University in December of 2012. As an undergraduate he was recognized for outstanding academic performance by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB), and received recognition from the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) as an honor student. As a graduate assistant, Mr. Laubach worked in the animal care facility and assisted in ESU’s microbiology laboratory and the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences and is serving as co-editor of the journal for the society.

As someone who is actively involved in research throughout his academic career, Mr. Laubach has worked with animals ranging from tadpoles, turtles and turkeys to bats and bears. He has presented his research at several state and national conferences. His thesis research investigated the seasonal trends and intraspecific differences of haemogregarine infection in turtles from northeastern Pennsylvania and northwest New Jersey.  As a wildlife technician at the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory at ESU, he is involved with a diet and parasite study of Pennsylvania river otters and a parasite study of wood turtles. He has worked with biologists from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Mr. Laubach is an active conservationist and never misses an opportunity to share his passion for wildlife and the outdoors with others. He has volunteered with the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center and the Monroe County Conservation District on several BioBlitz events. In addition, he was a member of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Timber Rattlesnake Assessment Project. He is also an active member of his church.  Larry enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Sara Laubach, and son Ivan. While he is still undecided about whether to enroll in a doctoral program or seek immediate employment, Mr. Laubach intends to continue to focus on applied solutions to wildlife and conservation issues.