Professional Development
Part of what has made my research so enjoyable has been several scientific interactions with colleagues and members of the public in a less formal setting.
For example, in the Fall of 2006 I had the opportunity to be part of a PBS kids' science show called DragonflyTV. I was part of an episode on wetlands of N.C. and I got to work with three wonderful young women scientists, V, Soph, and Sarah (left). We were part of a SciGirls episode and I served as their mentor. The Duke paper featured me in an article right before the show aired in N.C. I also wrote up our experience for the Duke University Wetland Center Newsletter, Fall 2007 (p.6).
I also really enjoyed being the Chair of the Events committee for the Duke Chapter of Sigma Xi for two years. We held a number of successful events including a "Science of Chocolate" event that was featured in the local newspaper.
In addition, I really enjoyed my participation in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and Graduate and Professional Women's Network (GPWN) at Duke. Being active outside my department and research is really important to me. I wrote about my commitment to being a well-rounded person a couple of years ago when I was asked to write a short piece of advice to myself that was published in the Duke Graduate School publication The Grind.
I have continued to be active outside my research commitments during my postdoc. I am a founding member of the "Women in Wetlands" section of the Society of Wetland Scientists and have been part of their mentoring program. I am also helping to organize an event for our section for the 2010 SWS annual conference in Salt Lake City which will feature an inspirational speaker and awards to female wetland scientists.
