Molly Kennedy

Molly Kennedy is a 2026–2030 Self Graduate Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas (KU). Originally from Ashburn, Virginia, she later moved to Lakeland, Florida, where in 2025 she graduated summa cum laude from Florida Southern College with a B.S. in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Molly conducted undergraduate research in the Elasmobranch Lab, tracking neonatal and juvenile bull sharks using acoustic telemetry and, for her honors thesis, investigated tapeworm diversity in young bull sharks and the role of hardhead catfish as intermediate hosts. This work sparked her passion for studying the poorly understood lifecycles of tapeworms that parasitize sharks and rays. At KU, she is exploring the role of copepods as first intermediate hosts using morphological and molecular approaches. Her broader goal is to integrate parasitology, evolutionary biology, and food-web dynamics to better understand ecosystem health. Outside the lab, Molly is a dedicated educator who has served as a teaching assistant, peer tutor, and mentor. Her experiences have instilled a deep appreciation for collaboration and community, and she is committed to making a meaningful impact at KU, within parasitology, and through the Self Graduate Fellowship program. 

Mentor: Kirsten Jensen Ph.D. Professor, Senior Curator, Associate Chair of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.