Callie Johnson, Tahiti
Takaroa Island. Unlike the islands of Hawaii, Exploring biodiversity many islands in French Polynesia sink in the middle, appearing as a ring of land with YUH students Callie Johnson and a lagoon in the middle. Because Takaroa Kristine Magnusson share their summer is so remote and seldom studied, all of the experience that not many others have had, students’ findings on marine invertebrates researching marine life in French Polynesia as were new. part of Dr. Bybee’s trip June 4 – 19. “In Hawaii, we know a lot about “It’s really cool that we got to the wild life because it’s always being reresearch…and get real world experience, searched, but in Tahiti, it was cool that we something that will give me an edge in my were studying things most people don’t know future career.” Johnson said. She, as well about or have ever seen.” Magnusson says. as Magnusson, are biology majors with an Though it was tough working long emphasis in marine biology. hours, typically from 6 am to 4 p.m. every The students first went to the island day, Magnusson relates that she enjoyed the of Tahiti as ambassadors. They spoke with constant learning that correlated with her administrators of French Polynesia to discuss classes at school, as well as learning about issues such foreign exchanges. Their goal the Tahitian culture. She says that it was was to encourage more Tahitian students to more beneficial getting hands-on experience come to BYUH and for French Polynesia to outside of her classroom, and it was rewardrecognize their degrees as they finish school. ing to see how their studies have real world The group also met scientists in various applications. research stations. Most of their biodiversity Dr. Bybee shares that he enjoyed research, however, was done on the remote giving students a unique opportunity to find
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data for their senior research projects and also expanding their knowledge of handson research in a remote location. He shares that his students had a very positive cultural experience, making many friends in French Polynesia. Now, months later, many of the natives of Tahiti still contact him to ask about his students and see how they are doing. -ELLEN WYNN
Pictured above: Johnson. Photo by Bart Jolley. Below: BYUH Research team in Tahiti. Photos courtesy of Kristine Magnussen
september 22, 2011
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