Anna is an ecologist. Here are her responses to some questions:
A brief description of what you are currently working on.
I am a lab manager and citizen science project coordinator at a community ecology lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington. In the Hille Ris Lambers Lab, we study how climate change will affect the plant communities within Mt. Rainier National Park. This is the first year of our citizen science project in which volunteers monitor the wildflower phenology of 10 different species along an elevational gradient, recording what phenophases are present. This data will tell us how climate change will impact range limits, pollinator mismatches and reproductive ability.
Do you have an idea(s) on what seventh graders could do as far as field work on Mt. Rainier?
I haven't been around 7th graders in quite some time, but I would imagine they would like to look at flowers! You could use our pamphlet that has the 4 phenophases of 10 different commonly occurring wildflowers and have them identify not only the flowers but different phenophases as well. If you would like to see the booklet, email me at wilsonak@uw.edu
What inspired you to get into science in the first place? What do you like about science?
What I love about science is that the process of finding answers to questions is concrete. There is a scientific method, you follow it, ask questions, maybe find answers and start all over again. I am especially excited about the field of ecology because you can see the system you are working on and the impacts of ecology are very applicable to the real world.
What advice do you have for a middle school student who is interested in becoming a scientist?
Don't give up on your dreams! It will be hard! But remember if it were easy, everyone would do it. It takes tenacity, perseverance and a lot of hard work to get through the rigorous coursework but it feels so good when you have achieved your goal!