Splash Biography

OLIVIA TOMBLIN-PAVLOVICH, Yale sophomore studying Biology

Major: MCDB

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2028

Brief Biographical Sketch:

I’m Olivia Tomblin-Pavlovich, a sophomore in Morse College studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. I’m from West Virginia, and I’m passionate about Appalachian history, rural health, and community engagement. At Yale, I serve on the executive boards of the Rural Students Alliance and the American Medical Women’s Association, and I conduct research at the School of Medicine. I’m excited to teach for Splash and inspire students to explore their curiosity and roots.

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

E5253: Appalachian History: Creatures and Cryptids in Sprout Fall 2025 (Nov. 15 - 16, 2025)

Do you believe in monsters? From glowing eyes in the woods to strange creatures lurking in mountain hollers, Appalachia is full of stories that blur the line between history and legend. Meet Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, and other eerie figures that have haunted generations across this mountainous terrain. Learn how these tales grew from real events, local fears, and the power of storytelling itself. Join us for a journey through Appalachian history, mystery, and myth, and see which cryptid you’d dare to meet in the dark.