Angelika Kurthen (she/her) is a current PhD candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University,. She received a Master of Science (MS) from the Freie Universität Berlin in Berlin, Germany for research regarding how aquatic macro-invertebrate and diatom meta-communities are structured across elevation gradients. Angelika grew up in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan as a undergraduate, which inspired her love of freshwater ecosystems and organisms. When not doing research, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and enjoying the outdoors.