Why did you choose to become a scientist?
I always held an extreme fascination of the natural world and its inhabitants. I wanted to understand the How’s and Why’s behind ecosystem function: What constitutes a “healthy” forest, prairie, river, etc.? Which species of wildlife live in each type of environment and what resources do they need to survive? What do they need to THRIVE? I wanted to know what I could do to help keep our natural lands healthy and how I could protect wildlife in the process. Becoming a scientist has allowed me to explore the natural world at an intimate level and better appreciate all of the wildlife around me. What are your current research interests? My current research interests center around genetics/genomics and evolutionary biology, with reptiles and amphibians as my main classes of interest. Reptiles and amphibians are historically “unpopular” with humans, and have been given a negative reputation of being frightening, slimy, and dangerous over the course of time. What most people don’t realize is that these creatures play a large role in healthy ecosystem function. They are a very important part of the ecological puzzle and without them, many aspects of our lives (the medical field benefits immensely from reptilian research, for example) would be very different. By exploring the genetics and evolutionary histories of these animals, we are able to better understand them and improve our overall understanding of growth, adaptation, and evolution Choose one quality that you think is the most important for making a good scientist. Why? The quality that I think is the most important for making a good scientist is determination. In science, there will undoubtedly be many times when you will reach a roadblock that wears away at your optimism and passion. When this happens, you must remain determined! Science in an ever-evolving field in which new questions are formed every single day. It takes an infinite amount of blood, sweat, tears, and determination to find the answers to your questions. With enough determination, though, you can reach your goals and improve not only yourself as a scientist, but also the scientific field as a whole. What advice would you have for aspiring scientists? To aspiring scientists I say, just go for it! There will always be a hundreds reasons to avoid the world of science. It can be unfamiliar, challenging, and even daunting at times. But, if you are passionate about science and have questions about the world’s workings, just trust your gut and immerse yourself into your work wholeheartedly. The reward is worth it. Why 500 women scientists? I stand with 500 Women Scientists because I am grateful for all of the women in science who have paved the way for me so that I may study what I love. There was a time when women were not allowed to pursue their passions so readily. By joining together, we can make certain that the voice of women in science continues to grow and open doors for future generations of strong, smart, and scientifically-curious girls!
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March 2018
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