By Michelle Wilson
Feature/Entertainment Editor
Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. senior biology major Nicholas Wygle can be found helping students review and work on lab materials in the science building. Wygle works the open labs for zoology, comparative vertebral anatomy and human anatomy classes as part of his Job as Dr. Aaron Places’ Lab assistant.
“I had previously worked as a lab assistant,” Wygle said. “I enjoyed working with the animals, so it seemed like an all-around good choice.”
His other responsibilities include lab set up, upkeep and maintenance of lab equipment and taking care of the biology department’s reptiles and amphibian. Wygle has 10 snakes, five turtles and a salamander in his care.
“I cannot choose a favorite animal,” Wygle explained. “That would be like choosing a favorite child.”
Wygle gives the animals food and water. He also cleans their enclosures, changes their bedding and turns their heat lamps on and off. Most of the animals have been given names by Place with help from previous lab assistants. Their names range anywhere from Helen and Huxley to Typhon and Frankenstein. They can all be found in the zoology room on the second floor of the science building.
“My favorite part of my job is getting to care for and handle the animals,” Wygle said.
In his free time, Wygle likes to read, drink coffee and hang with his friends.
He also dabbles in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. Wygle is graduating this spring and hopes to get a job where he can work with animals every day, primarily reptiles.
“I like amphibians and reptiles the best,” Wygle said. “They are rather independent and hardy as far as most animals go, and they are not nearly as needy as mammals are.”