Maxine Wren completed her PhD in biology at the University of Oregon in June 2023. She studied the impact of disturbance intensity on microbial communities in human managed ecosystems under Krista McGuire and Bitty Roy. Wren also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. There she studied the diversity of Auchenorrhyncha insects in the lab of James Dunn. Wren is also dedicated to increasing equity within STEM fields through assertive advocacy, community building, and outreach.