Love for Your Work, Love for the World

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment
A paper Valentine showing the characters Bluey and Bingo from the show Bluey in granny outfits. The caption says "You are the Janet to my Rita"

A Bluey Valentine my mom gave me. I recommend this show to people of all ages!

How’s February treating you? I had the pleasure of participating in two great events this month. First, on Valentine’s Day, I attended the 11th Annual Cal Poly Humboldt Authors Celebration at the Cal Poly Humboldt Authors Hall. This event honors Cal Poly Humboldt faculty, staff, students, and alumni (like me!) who published new scholarly and creative works last year. I spoke at the open mic about my first lead-authored scientific paper, as well as my games for Choice of Games (both Fox Spirit and my second interactive novel about magical equines, which I’m working on right now). It was inspiring to meet fellow authors and hear about all the exciting new publications coming out of Cal Poly Humboldt!

The library will eventually be posting photos (and possibly video) from that event here: https://authors.humboldt.edu/ under the “Event Photos & Recordings” tab. I will write another quick post to share those with you once they become available!

Second, on Presidents’ Day, I attended a Not My Presidents Day demonstration in Eureka in peaceful opposition to the current political situation in the United States. You can find an article and slideshow about that event here: https://www.northcoastjournal.com/NewsBlog/archives/2025/02/18/local-50501-not-my-presidents-day-draws-hundreds-in-eureka I made a sign that said, “Stop robbing the poor to profit the rich,” which I brought with me to the event. I gave it away to someone else when I left, who continued spreading that message.

Lately, I’ve been trying to find ways to rekindle my passion for my work (i.e. by attending the Authors Celebration) and show compassion toward our world (i.e. by attending the Not My Presidents Day demonstration). On that note, I have some questions for you:

1. How are you loving your work lately? What excites you and inspires you about it?

2. How are you loving our world lately? How do you spread love and kindness in your community? (This doesn’t need to be some big, bold, grassroots community organizing type thing. Small actions matter!)

I would love to hear your answers in the comments! Thank you for sharing your light with the world!

Sailing into the Unknown

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

Happy New Year, everyone! This year, I’m committing to posting here at least once a month (finally!), sharing musings and news with you all more regularly. I appreciate your support, and I want you to know that I’m still here, trying my best to spread light from my little corner of the world.

Where are you headed this year? For my part, I have no idea! I’ve applied for wildlife biology jobs in California and a PhD program in the UK, but I won’t know if I’m getting an offer on any of them for a while. I’m still plugging away at my second interactive novel for Choice of Games (this one’s about unicorns, pegasi, and kelpies!)…

A smiling figurine of a unicorn with wings, kneeling on a table with a grid laid over it

Photo by Pranav on Unsplash

…but I don’t know yet when the game will come out (hopefully sometime this year!). I’ve submitted a play based on folklore about a Christmas witch to a short play festival, but I won’t know whether the play has been accepted to be produced until the end of March. In short, as usual, my future is full of unknowns.

I do know one thing, though. Whatever happens next, I will give thanks to God for the many blessings in my life and strive to follow Jesus with love, kindness, and courage. Faith is the wind in my sails, buoying me through the storms and keeping me afloat and moving forward. Faith is my lighthouse, guiding me through the darkness. The world is filled with rancor, fear, and despair these days, but those forces will never have the final say. I hope you will strive to see the light in these oft-dark times yourself, and to be a light to others. Blessed be.

Our research paper on red wolves is out! My first “first authorship”!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment
A red wolf

Hi everyone!

I’m excited to report that our (me + seven amazing coauthors) scientific paper, “Management Effects on Gastrointestinal Disease in Red Wolves (Canis rufus) Under Human Care: A Retrospective Study,” has just been published in the academic journal Animals! This is my first time being the first author of a professionally published research manuscript!

You can read and download the paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3121 Thank you for checking it out!

Update: I graduated! Links to thesis manuscript and defense included :)

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 1 Comment

Hi everybody!

This post is a bit overdue, but I’m delighted to announce that I graduated this summer from North Carolina State University, earning my Master of Science Degree in Biology!

Amy and Amy's mom Beverly standing in front of the North Carolina State University belltower. Amy is wearing a graduation cap and gown and a pink lei.

My mom and me in front of the North Carolina State University Memorial Belltower.

MS diploma

My diploma!

You can watch a video of my thesis defense at this link: Amy Clare Fontaine’s Thesis Defense

Furthermore, you can read my thesis manuscript here: Amy Clare Fontaine’s Thesis Manuscript

A revised version of this manuscript has just been accepted for publication in an academic journal, which will make it my first-ever first-authored scientific paper! Stay tuned here for the news about this release, as well as my brand-new short story coming out next month!

As always, thank you to my valued readers for your continued support! Blessed be.

Review – The Canid Chronology Book One: A Journey’s Beginning by Angola Hone

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 2 Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The plot was gripping, the mixed-species world intriguing, and the characters sympathetic and easy to root for. I found myself emotionally invested in the adventure, curious about the mysteries unfolding within it and touched by the tender relationships between the characters. While I felt that the prose could have used a bit more polish-and the characters and world more development and distinctiveness-this was the author’s debut novel and the first in a series, so it holds much promise for the future. I am excited about the possibilities of this saga going forward and eager to read the next volume.

I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thesis Defense: Zoom Link/Info

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

Hi everyone!

From those who receive my blog posts by email as a newsletter, I’ve been informed that the announcement image about my master’s thesis defense seminar was distorted and therefore not readable. I will type out the information in regular text below so you all have it:

Title: Management effects on gastrointestinal disease in red wolves (Canis rufus) under human care

Date/Time: Monday, June 17, 2024, 2-3 pm ET

In-person Location: David Clark Labs Room 139, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Zoom Info:

Link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/96048622279?pwd=19m6Rh0mJRUbAzfwWlpqNUb5ymFkw8.1

Meeting ID: 960 4862 2279

Passcode: 159552

Thank you all so much for your support! I hope to see you there!

Come to my defense!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 3 Comments
Photo of knight kneeling on the ground
(No, not like this!)

Hi, everyone! I’m excited to announce that on Monday, June 17, 2024, from 2 to 3 pm Eastern Time, I will be presenting my master’s thesis research on how management practices impact the gut health of red wolves at a free public seminar at North Carolina State University! If you are unable to attend in person in Raleigh, a Zoom option is also available. Please see the seminar announcement below for details. See you there!

Announcement with a photo of a red wolf, courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo. Text: North Carolina State University Master's Defense Seminar - Biology - Amy Clare Fontaine. Management effects on gastrointestinal disease in red wolves (Canis rufus) under human care. Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Campbell. Monday June 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm. DCL 139 & via Zoom (Meeting ID: 960 4862 2279 & Passcode: 159552)

Tackling Climate Change (Repost from SimBio’s Blog)

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

Hi, friends! I found a helpful article today that shares resources about how we can all make a difference to reduce the impacts of climate change. As a wildlife conservationist, I strongly believe that we should all do our part to keep our lovely planet healthy and thriving…and as a teaching assistant, I understand the need to empower our students, rather than demoralizing them. Here’s the article: https://simbio.com/tackling-climate-change/ Cheers!