Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 9/6/2011

Question
Hello! My name is Natalia and I am taking an AP Biology course
For my class i have to interview a biologist about their research and their interest in biology. I was hoping you could help me out.

here are some questions that would be helpful for my assignment


How did you get interested in the sciences/biology?

What is the name of the University did you study in?

How many years have you been working in this field?

Do you find your job fulfilling?

Where do you work?

What does your current research entail?

What is the purpose of your research?

What species do you primarily work with?

What is the hardest part of your job?

What is the easiest part of you job?

Does your job require travel?

Is there anything else that you would like to add?


How long do you plan to continue onto researching and working as a field biologist?

My teacher also asked to have a contact number and a picture. The picture is optional but i would greatly appreciate if you could help me out. thank you

Answer
Hi, Natalia,

I hope this will help.

1.  How did you get interested in the sciences/biology?

I was immersed in natural history from an early age.  My father used to take us on trips to the desert, the rocky intertidal, the mountains, etc. and the focus was always on finding interesting animals.  That love of nature followed me as I grew up, and I decided to become a biology major in college.

2.  What is the name of the University did you study in?

Got my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Southern California.

Got my doctorate (Ph.D.) in Biology from the University of Miami.

3.  How many years have you been working in this field?

I've been a biologist since the mid-1980s.

4.  Do you find your job fulfilling?

Yes.  I especially enjoy teaching undergraduates and helping biology majors choose their career paths.

5.  Where do you work?

University of Miami Department of Biology

6.  What does your current research entail?

I am not currently engaged in research other than ongoing research on the behavior of Lepus californicus (Black-tailed Jackrabbit).

7.  What is the purpose of your research?

To understand the social behavior of Black-tailed Jackrabbits.

8.  What species do you primarily work with?

I'll give you one guess.

9.  What is the hardest part of your job?

The administrative details!  I am the Director of Undergraduate Studies for our department, and that requires a lot of meetings, organization, and writing.

10.  What is the easiest part of you job?

Dealing with students.  They're a lot of fun.

11.  Does your job require travel?

Not really.

12.  Is there anything else that you would like to add?

It's the best job in the world.

13.  How long do you plan to continue onto researching and working as a field biologist?

Until I retire.

My teacher also asked to have a contact number and a picture. The picture is optional but i would greatly appreciate if you could help me out.

You can find my contact information and a picture here:

www.bio.miami.edu/dana/dana.html

Good luck,

Dana