Danielle Dixson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Marine Science and Policy at the University of Delaware.
As a foundation grantee, Danielle focuses on understanding how marine animals sense their environment, how they are able to use this information to make decisions on optimal habitat choice and consequences these behavioral choices have on marine conservation and management in a changing environment.
In this installment of Beyond the Lab, she discusses her early interest in marine biology and the invaluable role her mentors and colleagues play in reaching her scientific goals.
What inspired you to become a scientist/researcher?
I have always loved marine biology. When I was a kid my parents took me to the Shedd Aquarium (in Chicago) and I asked someone a question about whales. The aquarium employee gave me a book on whales and I thought it was so cool that my questions were good enough that I was given something that was actually for sale at the gift shop.
I asked my mom what his job was and she told me he was a marine biologist. Ever since then that is what I have said I wanted to be. I grew up in Minnesota, so that was not the most common aspiration for a young kid, and I think my parents always thought I would change my mind, but I didn't. I am really lucky to have a family that supported me in achieving my dream.
The reason I went into academia and am a teacher and a researcher is that I really value the education I received at the University of Tampa and have always thought that if I could do research and mentor the next generation of scientists, I would be really fulfilled, which so far has been true.
What topics/areas/ problems in science are you most interested in solving?
I am most interested in understanding how human-induced changes to the ecosystems impact the behavior of animals and their interaction with one another. I am mainly interested in research problems that have a conservation aspect or could provide policy makers with information to better protect the marine system. My research generally focuses on habitat degradation, ocean acidification and sensory behavior of animals.
How do your colleagues, mentors, students/postdocs help you achieve your goals?New scientific findings are built on the research results of the scientists who came before us. I would not be able to achieve the goals that I have without basing the ideas for research on the research that others have conducted. Aside from benefiting from the scientific information my colleagues produce, the support of my mentors, collaborators, colleagues, students and postdocs is invaluable. Students and postdocs directly help me achieve my research goals by working extremely hard to conduct studies for their theses. I am very fortunate to be a part of a network of strong mentors in which I can ask questions, benefit from knowledge gained from mistakes already made, and engage with a supportive community.
What gets you going every day and how do you stay motivated?
I love my job. I find it incredibly fulfilling to conduct research and mentor students. Obviously, there are days that are better than others, but it is very easy to stay motivated when you remember the overall goals that you are working toward. As a researcher, attending conferences to share results, publishing papers and successfully securing grants help me stay focused on days that are tough. As an educator, engaging with students, watching them develop and get excited or passionate about the field I work in is extremely rewarding.
What are your greatest limitations/challenges as a scientist/researcher?
One of the greatest limitations and challenges in science is finding fundings to conduct research. Funding really seems to be the limiting factor for most scientists and researchers. It is wonderful that Gordon and Betty Moore have seen the value of science and set aside money to ensure quality research continues to happen.
Learn more about Danielle here and follow her on Twitter.
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