Hi! My name is Tianyi and I joined the Kemp lab in 2022. I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, where my love for nature began with family road trips to explore natural history museums and remarkable landscapes across the country. These experiences sparked my passion with wildlife and inspired me to study biology—especially ecology and evolution—to understand how organisms interact with each other and their environments.

I moved to the United States after high school and received my Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors from Emory University in 2022. My research focuses on phenotypic variation and biodiversity changes in reptiles over time, with a focus in Caribbean ecosystems. I’m particularly interested in applying fossil data to understand biodiversity's responses to global change phenomena and informing conservation management.

Outside of research, I’m passionate about science outreach and public engagement. As Co-President of Science Under The Stars, a monthly public lecture series in Austin, I help bring science to the community in accessible and interactive ways. In my free time, I enjoy photography—especially wildlife, and landscapes—and exploring national parks. I also love outdoor sports, designing, and spending time with my cats, leopard gecko, and parakeets.