Shakthi Rajesh

Florida State University Computational Biology student Shakthi Rajesh is working to educate people about reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Rajesh has dedicated his academic journey to studying some of the most misunderstood creatures in our ecosystem — scorpions, snakes and other invertebrates. Hailing from Dallas, and having spent his high school years in India, Rajesh brings a unique perspective to his work.

Rajesh’s IDEA Grant-funded research investigates the genomics of venom variation in scorpions, with the aim of discovering the genetic factors that contribute to these organisms’ roles in the ecosystem. His work in Associate Professor Darin Rokyta’s lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has already earned him the prestigious Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award.

He is also the founder of the Association of Herpetologists and Entomologists at FSU, a student organization dedicated to educating the public about reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Rajesh’s goal is to reduce the fear associated with these creatures and promote a deeper appreciation for their roles in our environment.

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

My most significant research project at FSU has been my work researching the genomics of sex-based venom variation in the Florida bark scorpion in Professor Darin Rokyta’s lab. I received the Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award through the IDEA Grant program to pursue this research.

My ongoing project is meant to shed light on the underlying genetic mechanisms controlling venom variation by exploring the extent of venom differences between male and female scorpions. This project emphasizes the significance of understanding the causes of venom diversity and the factors that drive the evolution of these unique venom compositions.

How do you contribute to the FSU community and beyond?

One of my most significant contributions to the FSU community was founding the Association of Herpetologists and Entomologists at FSU. This is a recognized student organization, and our goal is to educate the public about reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. I hope to lessen the fear generally associated with reptiles and invertebrates and allow more students to appreciate these incredible organisms for what they are and what they do.

Another one of my major contributions was organizing and leading a summer “bug camp” for a Tallahassee homeschool collective. I took several students, between the ages of 7 and 13, on outings to local nature preserves. The goal of this camp was to show students the varieties of arthropods (like insects, spiders, millepedes and centipedes) in our local area and teach them about the benefits each of these species has for our environment and our daily lives.

How have you used your experiences at FSU to strengthen the local community?

The main goal of my research is to educate people about the fascinating animals we share a world with. I aim to reduce the fear that most people have of snakes and many invertebrates and allow them to truly appreciate the world around us. I believe I have been successful helping people overcome their fears by teaching them about “scary” organisms in a safe environment.

I also believe that through the founding of the Association of Herpetologists and Entomologists at FSU, I have been able to create a club where people can learn about our local species of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates without the fear of judgement from others.

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