Brandt is a third-year undergraduate Molecular Environmental Biology major in the College of Natural Resources. He is involved in the Will lab’s Perkins Canyon and Hopland studies, where he helps by sorting, pinning, building traps, analyzing data, and doing field work. He also works in the Gillespie lab, studying arthropod diversity in Hawaii. Brandt has had a lifelong love of arthropods and has worked with them in all forms, from restoring vulnerable wetlands habitat for the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly to collecting jumping spiders for Benji Kessler’s research. Brandt helps tend the Essig Museum’s walking stick colony, and is avidly looking for any opportunities to collect and/or raise more arthropods.

Brandt appreciates arthropods of all shapes and sizes, but myriapods, tarantulas, and scorpions are especially close to his heart since he keeps them as pets. Brandt’s other hobbies include running, D&D, and MTG.