Pirate Profile Archives

a female with long, blonde hair smiles at the camera while posing in front of a large Pirate statue on ECU’s athletics campus.
Apr 21, 2025
  • Alondra Martinez

Student: Kensey Tarkington

Kensey Tarkington, a junior majoring in exercise physiology at East Carolina University, is dedicated to promoting health and wellness. Whether leading the Kinesiology Majors Club, conducting research or advocating for...

A woman in a red shirt and black coat sits in a lab with test tubes and gloves
Apr 08, 2025
  • Shelby Hudnall

Faculty: Dr. Morgan Milton

As the temperatures rise, Dr. Morgan Milton’s research on Vibrio bacteria highlights the growing risks and why we should remain vigilant during the warmer months. At East Carolina University’s Brody...

Young woman with hand on her side posing in front of a body of water and trees. A bench is visible in the background.
Apr 04, 2025
  • Alondra Martinez

Student: Riley Bessetti

From an early age, Riley Bessetti was drawn to science. Now a fifth-year doctoral candidate in East Carolina University’s Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of...

A man in a blue sport jacket and gray sweater stands in front of a wall with words that include value, think and lead.
Mar 11, 2025
  • Shelby Hudnall

Faculty: Dr. Erik Taylor

Professor Erik C. Taylor doesn’t just read the newspaper — he turns it into a dynamic teaching moment. “On a classroom day for me, the first thing I do to...

A woman with long dark hair wearing a white blouse under a dark gray tweed jacket stands with her hands on her hips and smiles in front of the Cupola at East Carolina University.
Mar 10, 2025
  • Alondra Martinez

Student: Sarah Maisto

From growing the Pirate Sales Club to shaping future leaders through the Toolbox Leadership Academy, Sarah Maisto has established herself as a standout student at East Carolina University. Throughout her...

A man wearing glasses and a light blue, collared shirt sits at a desk next to a gray robotic dog that has an East Carolina University Pirate sticker on it.
Feb 17, 2025
  • Ken Buday

Faculty: Dr. Yilei Huang

Perhaps no other dogs on campus receive as many odd looks as Little Dee and Pete, the walking robot dogs that Dr. Yilei Huang takes out every so often. “Most...

A woman wearing a gold top with black pants sits in a huge letter ‘C’ that is part of the E-C-U letters in front of East Carolina University’s Main Campus Student Center.
Feb 03, 2025
  • Crystal Baity

Staff: Audra Thomas

Audra Thomas has mentored hundreds of students in her 25 years at East Carolina University, working to ensure they feel like they belong and can find support to succeed in...

A smiling student with straight, brown hair poses in front of shelves displaying orange and black 3D printers.
Jan 31, 2025
  • Alondra Martinez

Student: Hannah Blackburn

Hannah Blackburn, an East Carolina University senior, has accomplished a lot during her time on campus. From being involved with the ECU Honors College, a STEM scholarship recipient, founding a...

Assistant professor doctor Andrea Buenaño leans against a railing with football stadium bleachers in background.
Jan 17, 2025
  • Ronnie Woodward

Faculty: Dr. Andrea Buenaño

Dr. Andrea Buenaño can relate to the challenges faced and balancing required of college students. Buenaño is a former collegiate student-athlete who had myriad experiences then, and later professionally, in...

Woman posed in front of trees on campus.
Dec 16, 2024
  • Alondra Martinez

Student: Dayana Allison

Transitioning to college can be a whirlwind experience, but for East Carolina University freshman Dayana Allison, it has been a time filled with endless opportunities. Allison is an Honors College...