David Munteanu will graduate this week with his Ph.D. in biological sciences. We asked him to reflect on his time here at Clemson in Rick Blob’s lab through a short Q & A.
Research?
I explored structural, functional and behavioral specializations in lizards that allow them thrive in arboreal environments.
What’s next?
Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Best thing about Clemson?
Access and opportunity for mentorship and mentorship training. Creative Inquiry is an outstanding program and has helped me hone my skills managing projects and delegating tasks. The CI students I have mentored have all gone onto lead such successful lives and careers, and they remain in my life as close friends. It is fulfilling more than I could have ever imagined.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the spontaneity of being able to swing up to Rick’s office to chat about project ideas and inevitably end up talking about Philadelphia sports. Rick and I will continue this remotely, of course.
Advice for students?
Grad school research is like working on a project with disorganized partner, but the partner is actually just you from 1-2 years ago. Why was I so bad at data organization back then? Why didn’t I write more? All these questions will probably come up, but confronting those questions is part of the process. You learn more about yourself, how you become motivated and what you are capable of. Don’t be afraid to take your time and feel the contours of the experience.
Memorable people?
John Cummings is one of the best teaching mentors I have ever had. I will be teaching anatomy in the future, and the skills I gained teaching for him in his A&P class are invaluable. I am so lucky to have been able to work with him as much as I have.
Favorite activities?
Lake days, Doodle Trail, La Estrella, Experimental Forest and hanging out with the grad student cohort.
Lessons learned?
Setbacks and bad luck might have you feeling like you won’t be able to make the cut, but things can and do get better! Sometimes they get better in unpredictable ways. You will have setbacks in grad school! Getting through them make you stronger.
Memorable moment?
Road trip to Louisiana with Rick to go get “a few gators” and riding back with twelve in the back of the car.
Accolades and Awards
Alex P. Anderson and Lydia Anderson Fellowship recipient 2024, 2025, 2026
Best Student Poster Presentation at FoCI 2025
Proud moment?
Every time one of my CI students succeeds, either during their tenure in CI or after they have graduated, I feel very proud. Local, regional, and national conferences! They have presented at all of them. It is gratifying to see these students grow.
You might be surprised to know…
In Clemson, I worked side gigs as a bartender, a bouncer, a motocross cameraman and a tutor. For hobbies, I trained for and ran a marathon, I trained at the ninja warrior gym, ran Tough Mudders, I danced ballet and I watched countless scary movies. I think it is important to diversify your activities like this, so you can get a bit of space and reprieve from grad school. It is okay to compartmentalize!
