Debra: Welcome, Kelly! Thank you for doing this interview.
Kelly: My pleasure.
D: I know you are currently finishing up on your Master’s Degree here at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I would like to start at the beginning, though. Where did you grow up?
K: I grew up by the beach in Southern California. As a kid I spent a lot of time swimming and surfing. I was in the Junior Lifeguard’s program and spent summers at the Catalina Island Marine Institute.
D: Would you say you were a tomboy?
K: Yes!
D: Any siblings?
K: Yes, an older sister and 2 older half brothers.
D: What did you want to be when you were a kid?
K: From a young age I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. If not that, then a pilot and professional surfer to be able to travel and surf all over the world.
D: Where did you start out in college?
K: I spent my first 2 years at the University of Washington (UW), majoring in Aquatic and Fisheries Science. I also did research for 3 months on San Juan Island at the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories. I then spent 2 years doing seal and sea lion rescue at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, volunteering at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, and was a marine mammal intern at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. I transferred to UCSD to finish my Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology and am now finishing my Marine Biology master’s degree at UCSD, Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
D: What type of research are you currently doing?
K: I am studying the fluorescence of a local sea anemone species, Anthropleura sola, as a potential indicator of coastal water health by looking at its reaction to environmental and chemical stressors, like different levels of light and metals. The fluorescence of sea anemones could be a non-invasive and valuable way to monitor the environmental quality of coastal waters. The two main instruments I use are a fluorescent imaging stereoscope and a Diving-PAM.
D: From sea lions to anemones! What is your favorite type of research?
K: I enjoy being hands-on, in the field. I see myself working with marine mammals in the future, and/or scientific diving research. I started diving 3 years ago with a PADI open water certification, and last year got certified as a scientific diver through SIO and AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences). The difference between the trainings is that PADI is more of an entry-level course to start recreational scuba diving and can be completed in 2 weekends and AAUS is an advanced all day 2 week intensive course with 14 training dives and 100 cumulative hours of instruction. It also included a NAUI Rescue and Nitrox certification. In the course they stress how to safely conduct research and use scientific equipment underwater. It included classroom work studying the physics and physiology of diving, decompression theory, dive planning, equipment and environmental considerations, sampling techniques, and more.
D: Any requirements to keep up your scientific certification?
K: AAUS requires at least 12 scientific dives a year, a first aid class every 2 years through DAN (Diver’s Action Network) and a medical checkup.
D: What has it been like being mentored in Dimitri Deheyn’s lab?
K: It has been wonderful. Dimitri is a great person to brainstorm with - he is excellent at looking at the big picture of how our research is important. We are given a lot of freedom for the planning and execution of experiments. There is a large amount of interdisciplinary collaboration in the lab. I have learned so much from Dr. Deheyn that will help me in my future career as a marine biologist.
D: What has it been like being a woman in Marine Biology? Are you treated any differently?
K: At times it can be a little intimidating because most of the PIs, the primary investigators, I have worked with are men. I have been very privileged and have not felt any discrimination for being a women; however I acknowledge that many other women have not been as fortunate.
D: Would you say you are more interested in pure science or being entrepreneurial or a combo?
K: I would say both. I do have an entrepreneurial side. When I took time off from school, I started a business selling gemstones and jewelry that I made. During my master's degree, I decided to focus my time and energy solely on my degree so I sold it to my business partner, but it is still a passion of mine and I learned a lot from my experience.
D: I see from your website that in addition to geology and gemstones you also enjoy kickboxing and painting. What did you choose to do in your downtime during the pandemic this year?
K: I have done a lot of painting; it is a meditative process for me. I have also tried to spend a lot of time (safely) in nature.
D: Is there anything you would change in your path of life?
K: No. All of my experiences have made me to the person I am today. One thing that I would like to do more of is travel and conduct research in different parts of the world.
D: Last question. Other than climate change, what do you think is the single most pressing problem for the environment?
K: I feel like there is a lack of environmental education. It creates a disconnect between humans and the environment. If we can better educate the public on how humans are affecting the environment, it would inspire people to take action to protect our planet. This would hopefully also lead to more grant money for scientific research, which we clearly need.
D: Well said. Thank you so much for your participation in this interview, it was super interesting! Best of luck!
K: Thank you!
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