Michael Pashkevich ('17), the first Gates Cambridge Scholar from Loyola University New Orleans, will pursue a PhD in Zoology to investigate the role of spiders in Southeast Asian oil palm plantations and how riparian margin restoration within plantations affects spider biodiversity and behaviour. He says: “My aim is to advance understandings of spider ecology, the management of biodiversity in tropical agricultural systems and the public’s relationship with historically disfavoured animals.” Michael, who is interested in science outreach, plans to use citizen science for his research, engaging UK and Indonesian communities.