Scarlett, '25

Senior Scarlett Osborn’s independent study, The Ecology of the Avery Island Alligator, is deeply rooted in her family’s home and history. Scarlett arrived at ESA in 2021 after having lived in Cape Town, South Africa. While she lives in Lafayette now, her connections to Avery Island inspired her research project. Here’s our Q&A with Scarlett:

My aim is to recreate my great, great grandfather EA McIlhenny's study on alligators, in the same locations, more than a century later. I also hope to write and illustrate a children's book so I can communicate this research to a younger audience. 

I've always been inspired by EA; he was an eccentric: an avid conservationist, an arctic explorer - as well as a hot sauce entrepreneur. EA had a pet alligator called Frank which he could call with a whistle. One time, he was nearly mown down by a gator when he was stuck waist-deep in bayou mud, and he had the scars on his chest to prove it! EA kept meticulous records - for instance, we just discovered that he supplied all live oaks and shrubs to the State Capitol, LSU, and even Bendel Gardens where I live. I like reading his book on alligators and hearing echoes of my grandfather, my dad, and even me in it. 

I have also always been fascinated by the marsh that surrounds Avery Island where EA and I both spent time growing up. I did a 4H LSU Marsh Maneuvers course in 2023, where we planted cord grass to stabilize the marshes. Recently, I've been appointed as a Future Coastal Leader with the New Orleans-based Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana that educates college and high school students about our coastal ecosystem. Amongst other things, we recycle oyster shells to build reefs that protect and restore shoreline habitat across southern Louisiana.

I really like the idea of rolling my sleeves up as part of a multi-generational effort to do my bit to preserve the fragile ecosystem of this unique and beautiful part of our state.

The hurricane season has meant that only 30 percent of the alligator eggs survived this season. This is not only a problem for the breeding population, but also for the economy - and my study!

Always seek out every opportunity - you never know what it will lead to; and never be afraid to ask questions (all my teachers know this about me!).

I would really like to go back to Madagascar and study lemur ecology and behavior. They are fascinating, and a keystone species of this unique island that has been so affected by climate change and habitat loss.

ESA has given me an intense curiosity about the world. It has the secret sauce that has provided me with a collaborative environment where I've been able to create an intellectual gumbo that explores ideas from multiple angles. I think that's why I'm so committed to innovating solutions to environmental issues from an interdisciplinary standpoint in college.