Isabel Smalley will graduate Saturday from the University of Minnesota Duluth, double-majoring in Biology and Computer Science. These two disciplines have allowed her to study plant genetics and evolution.

“DNA can be thought of as the code for life. To understand the code for life, you also need to use coding,” Smalley explains to The Lift. “DNA has this massive amount of data that can be found in a genome. To sort through all this data, you need to have good computer skills.”

Her work, conducted under Dr. Amanda Grusz, has led to the discovery and naming of a new species of desert fern from southwestern North America. Next, Smalley will pursue her PHD at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.