Another professional profile!
compiled by Eden Zang
1. Name.
Emily Kelly
2. Job Title.
PhD student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego
3. Degree(s) held and from where.
I’m in the midst of my PhD now at Scripps / UCSD. I have an MS from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in Resource Ecology and Management where my research focused on how people of seemingly disparate interests can come to the table to make resource use decisions together. My BS is from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
4. Brief description of your job.
My job as a scientist is to ask questions and figure out experiments to answer those questions. What a cool job, huh?
5. Briefly describe the project(s) you are currently working on.
My dissertation research is focused at Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area. I’m interested in how the fish, urchins, coral, and algae all interact on the reef. Kahekili is the perfect place to investigate this because no herbivorous fish and urchins are allowed to be taken from the reef here. This is a new management strategy put into place by the Division of Aquatic Resources to see if increasing the number of herbivorous fish and urchins on the reef could decrease the amount of algae on the reef- an exciting and hopeful prospect as algae has been increasing on the reef and coral health has been declining over the past 15 years. My main projects right now are:
- Measuring algae growth and herbivore grazing on the reef
- Determining how much herbivore grazing is due to fish and how much is due to urchins
- Figuring out if fish and urchins like high nutrient algae (think: a breakfast of eggs and bacon) more than low nutrient algae (think: a breakfast of Twinkies)
6. Explain how/why your job is important to society.
My goal is to be able to help contribute to understanding how coral reefs work and thereby be able to help protect them and keep them healthy for the future. It’s very exciting to be able to do scientific research that has immediate implications for policy and management.
7. How did you end up doing what you’re doing?
My parents took my brother and me on lots of outdoor trips while were we growing up. When we were in the ocean, I always loved sticking my head underwater and watching what all the critters were up to. I’m fortunate to now be able to do that as my job!
8. Were you inspired by anyone in particular? If so, who, and how did he/she influence your career choice?
I had a lot of amazing teachers when growing up that encouraged me and the other students to work hard and pursue our interests. My high school chemistry and environmental science teacher, Mr. Shifrin, was one of those teachers who made science fun and inspired his students to think about how to tackle the challenges facing our planet. That enthusiasm and encouragement helped me realize that in addition to thinking science was cool, I could actually DO science if I wanted to.
9. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is communicating the results of our work!
10. If you could change one aspect of your job, what would it be?
I wish equipment would move itself sometimes. Maybe SCUBA tanks could have little wings? And teleporting would be nice, too.
11. Describe the most fun and exciting experience you have had during your career.
Does hanging out with the frogfish on the reef count? I love that little (or not so little anymore) guy. Otherwise, I think the most fun experience is the whole experience of being in the water every day and really getting to know certain reefs really well.
12. Describe the most disappointing or frustrating experience you have had during your career.
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13. What do you like to do on your days off?
Go for a hike on Haleakala! And eat banana cream pie from Auntie Lorraine’s
14. What advice would you give to a student who is thinking about pursuing a career similar to yours?
Science is so fun!
Don’t be intimidated by math and science- just work hard and think of all the cool things you’ll be able to do with the knowledge you gain in those classes.
Be persistent in pursuing opportunities to work or meet with people who are doing things you think are cool.
15. Can you recommend any particular educational programs/internships, etc. that will help students prepare for a career like yours?
The easiest way to gain experience: Spend time outside observing. Look for patterns. Notice behaviors, timing, cycles, coincidences. Then think about why/how/where/what/when and see what you could do to test your ideas. That’s what science is all about!
If you’re in high school, visit the local college or university to see if there’s a lab you could volunteer in.
For college students looking for research experience, consider:
If you'd like to learn more about Emily and her work, visit her website!
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