Crystal Ly

Communications and Marketing Specialist
Entomology, College of Agriculture

As the communications and marketing specialist for entomology, Crystal plays an integral role in showcasing the department's impact, as well as helping to advance research. When she's not in Waters Hall, you can often find Crystal out in the field collecting data!

What does being an ID3A affiliate mean to you?

Being an affiliate means being in a community of changemakers and forward thinkers who are making data-driven, decision-making tools more accessible. As a data analytics graduate student, I've met faculty who offered to collaborate in the future on grant proposals. That wouldn't have been possible without a collaborative institute like this. I find it a wonderful space to brainstorm and bounce ideas off of brilliant minds.

What made you decide to be a part of the ID3A affiliate network?

When you see the incredible work being done in siloes across campuses, imagine how competitive and powerful we could be as a united front. I want to be a part of that future.

Why do you value working in an interdisciplinary model across focus areas and colleges?

My background in science communication is important because we need to connect our work to people. Research and data needs someone there to communicate its value and tell its story to the public. It's why elevating Extension is so important. The more united we are as a university, the more good we can do in the world. As a science communicator with the prowess to tell stories, I still need the subject-matter experts to work alongside me to about the breakthroughs and tools being developed.