Girls Just Like You Who Grew Up to Become… Scientists

Flagstaff, Arizona edition

Introduction

Who is this book intended for?

This book is for YOU! It’s written for girls who have lots of questions about anything and everything.

Do you ever wonder why the sky is blue? Or how mountains are formed? Do you ever wonder why zebras have stripes? Or how baby animals talk to their mothers?

Maybe you’re fascinated with birds or bugs or rocks or horses or whales, wildflowers or pine trees, dinosaur bones, or stars, planets, and galaxies. Maybe you really want to know more about atoms and molecules.

Or maybe you’re more interested in what causes diseases like cancer or asthma. Or in building robots.

No matter what kinds of questions you have about the world we live in, the MOST important thing is to keep asking questions!

You may not know it, but people who are very curious and want to know why and how sometimes grow up to become scientists. In fact, many girls right here in Flagstaff and across northern Arizona did just that. Girls just like you!

They asked lots and lots and lots of questions, went to school, and decided to follow their dreams.

It didn’t matter what they looked like or where their families lived. It didn’t matter what kind of clothes they wore. And it didn’t matter whether they were rich or poor. They all found a way to do what they loved most.

In Girls Just Like You Who Grew Up to Become… Scientists, we’ll talk to scientists who were once girls just like you who wondered why and how, girls who grew up to became real scientists working in our community. Some of them are from Flagstaff, while others are from other states and other countries all over the world!

We’ll ask them lots of questions to find out what it was like growing up, when and why they decided to be scientists, what kinds of things fascinated them, and what kinds of questions they asked.

And we’ll also help you learn more about the many different fields of science we highlight here, as well as how you can find out more about some famous women scientists in these fields. First, though, let’s take a look at the City of Flagstaff and the kinds of scientists we have here.

Who are some of the scientists in our community?

Do you know anyone who is a scientist? It might be someone famous, like an astronaut or an archaeologist. Or it might be someone who lives on your street.

DidYouKnow?Mostadults(80%)can’tnameevenonescientist!Canyounameatleast one?

How many people are scientists? How many of them are women?

Nobody knows for sure, but some people think there could be as many as nine million scientists all over the world today. Experts believe that in the U.S., less than 30 percent of scientists are women.

There are thousands of scientists in Arizona, and probably about 1,000 in Flagstaff and northern Arizona. We have a lot more scientists than most small cities!

What do scientists do, and where do they work?

 Many of the scientists in our community are professors and researchers at Northern Arizona University (NAU), where they study everything from volcanoes to chemistry to prairie dogs to wildflowers, and everything in between.

 Some scientists are engineers working at W. L. Gore & Associates, where they design medical devices to help people heal.

 Other scientists may be doctors at Flagstaff Medical Center or at clinics in town.

 At the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), epidemiologists and virologists study diseases.

 Of course, at Lowell Observatory, there are astronomers and planetary scientists who study the universe.

 There are many different kinds of scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, including wildlife biologists, geologists, and hydrologists.

 Many scientists who study trees, such as conservation scientists, fire ecologists, and foresters, work for the U.S. Forest Service. They manage the Coconino National Forest and study wildfires, too.

 Other scientists who study archaeology and anthropology work for the National Park Service.

Didyouknow?Whydothenamesofsomanydifferentsciencesendin“-ology”?An“ology” isthestudyofonebranchofscience.

 Biology,forexample,isthescientificstudyof(ology)life(bio),andabiologistisa scientistwhostudieslife.

 GeologyisthescientificstudyoftheEarth,andageologistisascientistwhostudies ourplanet.

 Virologyisthescientificstudyofvirusesthatcausediseaseslikechickenpoxandthe flu,andavirologistisascientistwhostudiesviruses.

Howmanydifferent“ologies”and“ologists”canyouthinkof?

What do all scientists have in common?

No matter what they study or where they work, though, there are several things nearly all scientists have in common:

 They are always asking questions about the world around them—and even when they find the answers, they keep asking more questions!

 They are detail oriented. That means they pay attention to every little detail of whatever they study.

 They are very patient as they conduct experiments over and over again to make sure they’re right.

 They are creative. They use their imaginations to look for new ways to solve old problems.

Let’s meet the scientists

Are you ready? Let’s meet some of the scientists here in Flagstaff and northern Arizona, including:

 Microbiologist Emily Cope

 Computer scientist Morgan Vigil-Hayes

 Biochemist Naomi Lee

 Cancer biochemist Archana Varadaraj

 Disease ecologist Bridget Barker

 Ecologist and conservation scientist Clare Aslan

Emily

Archana

Morgan

Naomi

Clare Bridget

Chapter 1: Meet microbiologist Emily Cope

WhatdoesEmilydo?

Emily is a scientist here in Flagstaff. She is a microbiologist, which means she studies microbes, tiny living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Emily is an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in microbiology. She also has a laboratory at NAU where she does her research. WheredidEmilygrowup?

Emily was once a girl just like you. She grew up on a farm in a small rural town in southern California with her mom and her dad and her brother.

“We had horses and pigs and chickens,” said Emily.

Emily was an outdoorsy girl. She loved all the animals on the farm and playing in the dirt. When her family went on vacation to their cabin in Idaho every summer, she would go fishing and hiking.

SohowdidEmilybecomeascientist?

When she was young, Emily didn’t think much about science or about being a scientist. Because she loved animals, especially horses, she thought that she might want to be an equine veterinarian—a doctor who specializes in treating horses—when she grew up.

In high school, her anatomy and physiology teacher, Miss Mills, played a role in Emily’s interest in science.

“Miss Mills was the first person to get me interested in science,” said Emily. “She was tough, but she was amazing!”

Thisis5-year-oldEmily

Hereis12-year-oldEmilyridingher horseonthefarm

Thisis8-year-oldEmily

After high school, Emily came to study at NAU, where she hoped to become a vet. But that’s when she became interested in being a research scientist instead.

HowdidEmilydecidetobeamicrobiologist?

“When I got to college, I took a course in microbiology. That class sparked my interest in microbes.” Just like that, Emily changed her plans. “The class took me off the path of veterinary school and onto the path of scientific research.”

While some microbes can cause diseases, many microbes are good for us and help us stay healthy.

“Infectious diseases are cool,” said Emily, “but we’re learning a lot about healthy microbes, and I think that’s really fun.”

Howlongdidittaketobecomeascientist?

Becoming a scientist takes a long time, and it also takes a lot of hard work. Emily went to school for 12 years before she had enough education to be a university professor and research scientist.

“It took a very long time,” said Emily, “but with perseverance, it’s do-able.”

Doing research was fun for Emily, and that’s where she made many good friends, too.

More about the microbiome

The microbiome is what we call all the microbes that live both inside and outside our bodies. Although microbes are so small that we need a microscope to see them, they are very important to our health.

Inside the human gut, or digestive system, is the “gut microbiome.” It contains about 100 trillion microbes of all different kinds.

“That's where I found my people,” she said. “In my first year in college, I didn't really know where I belonged as far as a group of friends. I was just kind of exploring. But then, when I got into a research lab, it felt like I was home, and I found my friends.”

Emily went to college for four years to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. One of her professors, Dr. Jeff Leid, became her “mentor,” giving Emily advice and helping her win awards.

Thehumangutmicrobiomecontainsabout 100trillionmicrobes!

She stayed at NAU for four more years to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Microbiology (that’s why we call her “Dr.” Emily Cope).

But she still wasn’t done learning!

Next, she went to the University of California, San Francisco for four more years to be a Postdoctoral Scholar. One of her professors, Dr. Susan Lynch, became her first female mentor. Dr. Lynch helped her with science and with her career in many ways.

Whyisitsoimportanttohavementorsinscience?

Mentors are caring people in your life who go out of their way to help you by giving you advice, sharing insights, or just answering questions. They can be teachers, coaches, or family members.

“I’ve had many different people as mentors in school and as I was starting my own lab, too,” said Emily. “All of that is just so important, especially for girls interested in science.”

Emily’s family always supported her in going to college. But because she lived in such a small town, she didn’t meet a lot of people who could be her role models. So having mentors was even more important for her.

WhatisEmily’sadviceforgirlswhoareinterestedinscience? Questioneverything—andstickwithit!

“You need a couple of important qualities to be a scientist,” said Emily. “One is a constant desire to question everything. As a scientist, you can't just look at the results of one experiment and say you’ve proven this or that. You have to go, ‘Wait, is that right? Is there anything we did that could have changed those results?’ You want to put your best work out there. It's not just questioning yourself; it's questioning everything! So don't be afraid to ask why something is happening.”

“And it also takes perseverance. When you're starting out as a student scientist, you might take a fun class and want to get involved in research in that area. Your experiments are going to fail a lot. Your first paper will get rejected a lot. But eventually, your experiments will work, your papers will get accepted, and your grants will get accepted. You just have to stick with it.”

WhatdoesEmilystudyinherlab?

These days, Emily does research in her lab, where she studies the microorganisms in and on humans, or the microbiome.

“I love my job,” Emily said. “In my lab, we study a lot of different diseases, including asthma and Alzheimer’s disease. What’s so much fun about studying the gut microbiome is experimenting in many different ways to see how we can improve human health.”

One of her projects is studying the gut microbiome of children with asthma, a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Emily wanted to know how what they eat can affect their symptoms. “As a scientist, I’m extremely interested in ‘how’ things work.”

“We discovered that if kids with severe asthma eat more food containing fiber—such as brown rice, whole wheat cereal, or fruit— it can have a very positive effect on their gut microbiome and their overall health. Because of that, their asthma symptoms improve, and they feel better!

“I’m very excited about discoveries like this. I want to do more work like this to explore how we can affect the health of people with many different diseases! My goal is to figure out how to harness the power of the microbiome to improve human health.”

Here’s grown-up Emily working in her lab

WhatelsedoesEmilyenjoydoing?

Emily lives in Flagstaff with her husband and her dog, Mal, whose full name is “Captain Malcolm Reynolds.”

She still loves to go outdoors, hiking or riding her bike. She also loves to cook, especially when she has time to make everything from scratch, including making her own pasta.

Emily and her husband enjoy travelling to places like Guatemala, Peru, and Ecuador. In fact, they went to Africa on their honeymoon! They went kayaking in Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, where Emily saw a crocodile!

How to learn more about microbiology

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Emily the microbiologist, do you want to learn more about microbes and the microbiome? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

 Visit Ology, a website for kids with games, videos, and stories, where you can explore many different “ologies,” including microbiology.

 There are many books in the library about biology and microbiology. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in microbiology. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

Famousfemalescientistsinthefieldofmicrobiology

Although Emily isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous microbiologists who are women. You can visit these websites to read about many of these women from history, such as Angelina Fanny Hesse, Ester Miriam Zimmer Lederberger, Abigail A. Salyers, and Ruth Ella Moore:

 10 Women Microbiologists You Don’t Know About, But Should

 10 Inspirational Women in Microbiology

 Notable Female Microbiologists You’ve Never Heard Of

Chapter 2: Meet computer scientist Morgan Vigil-Hayes

WhatdoesMorgando?

Morgan is a computer scientist in Flagstaff. She studies computer networks and is an expert in computer network technology, and the work she does helps a lot of people.

Morgan works with people who live in rural areas of Arizona and New Mexico, including the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblo Tribe. Many of them do not have fast, easy access to the Internet where they live, either on their desktop computers or on their phones.

Kids in some tribal villages, for example, need to use the Internet to learn remotely at school. But because their Internet service is too slow—and because sometimes they can’t connect at all—they may not be able to do their homework on time or keep up with their teachers or classmates.

When she visits people in these areas, Morgan asks lots of questions about how they use the Internet and what kinds of problems they have with service where they live.

Once Morgan understands what the problems are, she finds ways for them to get faster and better Internet access.

Morgan is an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in computer networks. She also has a laboratory there where she does her research.

Did You Know? Many families in northern Arizona who live far from towns and cities do not have reliable access to the Internet. Can you imagine not being able to log in whenever you want to do your schoolwork, play games, or find information?

“I love teaching anything network-related,” she said, “and I am passionate about doing work at the nexus of research, teaching, and social good.”

WheredidMorgangrowup?

Morgan was once a girl just like you. She grew up in the Central Valley of California with her parents, her younger brother, and her little sisters. There were lots of dairy farms, almond orchards, and ranches where she lived.

“I was always very enthusiastic about learning and imagining things and I loved being a big sister,” said Morgan. “When I was in kindergarten and elementary school, my brother and I would work together to do research and write reports on topics we liked learning about— sharks, big cats, ancient cultures, and current events. We would present our ‘findings’ to each other and our parents. This was probably an early sign that I was destined to be a scientist!”

Morgan and her brother pretended they were explorers. “We would pretend our yard was the ocean and we turned our wagon into an imaginary boat that would take us to different ‘reefs’ where we would collect samples. Sometimes we would build rocket ship forts and pretend our snow suits were space suits.”

“As I got older, I still had a lot of fun learning and doing puzzles. My little sisters and I were obsessed with Nancy Drew computer games. We would all sit and play together during winter breaks and take notes and find clues to solve mysteries together.”

Morgan also really loved sports! She played football and soccer and ran track and cross country as a girl.

“Until I was in fifth grade, I firmly believed that I would start my scientific career after I ended my career being the first female wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. My brother was going to be the quarterback (naturally). While that did not happen, I did end up doing track and field and cross country all through high school and in my first year of college. I loved how sports taught me how to be resilient and consistent.”

Morganandherdad

SohowdidMorganbecomeascientist?

When she was still a girl, Morgan didn’t realize that many of the things that interested her were science!

“My parents, who were both teachers, always brought science into my life by encouraging me to ask questions and do experiments (safely) to figure out the answers. I’m not sure I realized it was science at the time. I am a computer scientist and one thing I do remember my dad teaching me about how variables work to help us see patterns with numbers.”

“One time, we were at one of our family’s favorite diners and my dad arranged the napkins and sugar packets and forks into right triangles and explained the Pythagorean theorem to me and we tested it out with different sizes of triangles. Then he showed me how the actual formal equation worked, and I remember being really excited that a pattern could be captured that way.”

“As I got older, I was lucky to have math and science teachers who really encouraged us to find patterns and to get excited about them. Much of this was by letting us just play with numbers and shapes to see what happened. For example, they would ask questions such as ‘What happens to the area of a rectangle if we double the length and width?” or ‘What does it look like if we keep repeating the same shape pattern over and over at different scales?’ I did not think of this as math or science at the time, but now I know that seeing patterns is the foundation of computer science.”

“I think I always knew I would be an explorer or an investigator—I don’t remember having a clear vision of myself as a scientist until I was in seventh grade. And back then, I thought I would be a biologist because that was really the only type of official “scientist” career I had really heard anyone talk about.”

“Both my parents helped us adopt a scientific way of approaching the world from a very early age—observing the world, seeing patterns, making guesses about what might

HereisMorganin12thgradedoingresearchina neurochemicallabattheCaltechYoungEngineer andScienceScholarsprogram

happen, and trying things out to learn if those guesses were correct. When I was in seventh grade, my science and math teachers helped me understand that the kinds of people who use those skills as part of their work are scientists and mathematicians.”

HowdidMorgandecidetobeacomputerscientist?

“When I was in high school, I really wanted to be a neuroscientist. During the summer after my junior year, I was fortunate to participate in the Caltech Young Engineers and Science Scholars program. That was where I first learned that knowing how to write code was a requirement for anyone who was serious about becoming a scientist. At the time, I was completely ignorant about programming, so I took a programming class during my senior year of high school.”

“As I was applying for college, I realized there were a lot of scholarships for people studying computer science. Since I needed to find a way to pay for school, I figured I could get my undergrad degree in computer science and have college paid for through scholarships, then I could become a ‘real scientist’ like I had always planned.”

“But I fell in love with computer science! I loved how I could use that knowledge in any field because it gave me tools for solving problems. So, I decided to stay in school for computer science for a PhD.”

“I realized I was pretty excited about networks when I first took a networks class as an undergrad. That was the first computer science class where everything ‘clicked’ for me. I really enjoyed thinking about the logistics of how data should be represented and how it should be sent. I also enjoyed thinking about how the algorithms and protocols used could have extreme interactions with physical data links to influence things like performance and security.”

HereisMorganingraduateschoolmeasuring Internetconnectivityandwirelesssignalsusing hamradios,software-definedradiosmounted ondrones,andphonesandcomputers.Credit: MichaelNekrasov.

“Both my parents went to college, so they were able to help me understand how important education was. I also loved how computer networks could make education equally accessible for everyone. I learned that knowledge sharing among communities could serve as a way to support relationships.”

“As I started my PhD, I began to see how users can’t see a network’s architecture and don’t know if their services are reliable. Since then, I’ve been trying to make it easier for users to understand the network services they need to access every day. My goal is to improve user experiences with their networks.”

WhatkindsofchallengesdidMorganfaceassheworkedtobecomeascientist? Howdidsheovercomethosechallenges?

“One challenge to becoming a computer scientist is that there were not many people like me pursuing computer network research. But if you’re different, it can help you be a better scientist because you bring new perspectives to your work, which means you can be more innovative.”

“I was also very lucky to have mentors who served as role models and who cared a lot about me. They were always very generous of themselves—willing to share about their experiences (including failures!) and willing to be honest about challenges I might expect. I think much of my lack of awareness of major barriers is because my mentors did so much to prepare me and instill confidence in me. I am so very thankful for them!”

WhatisMorgan’sadviceforgirlswhoareinterestedin science?It’sOKtofail!

“I would really like girls to know that it is OK to fail,” Morgan said. “Science is not about being successful or getting things 100% right. It is about caring so much about understanding the world and solving problems that you are willing to keep trying new things, even if they fail!”

Howlongdidittaketobecomeascientist?

Did You Know? Only 24% of computer scientists are women!

HereisMorganusingadroneto measurebroadbandInternet service

Morgan went to school for nine years. First she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science from Westmont College, where she graduated with highest honors. Then she went to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science.

“I have always worked really hard, and my education was always a priority for me. It’s definitely not the path that everyone wants to take, but it was very worth it for me.

I have my dream job. I get to spend time thinking about the problems that matter a lot to me and to many other people in the world. I get to work with colleagues and students to try to create the solutions to important problems. I get to teach other people how to think and solve problems like a computer scientist. Every day, I feel like I am making the world a little bit better, and I really am having a lot of fun doing it!”

WhatdoesMorganstudyinherlab?

Now that she’s all grown up, Morgan does research in her lab as well as in rural communities. She studies all the things that make up a computer network, from wireless signals to smartphones to cell towers.

WhatelsedoesMorganenjoydoing?

“Scientists are so much more than scientists,” said Morgan. “In fact, the best scientists I know are the ones who have a wide range of interests. It gives them new perspectives into the world that keeps them thinking about things in fresh ways.”

Some of Morgan’s hobbies are sewing, cooking, and trail running/hiking.

Here’sgrown-upMorganworkingwithher studentsinthecomputerlab

“I also think that my family helps me be a better scientist by asking me really useful questions, helping me stay resilient, and teaching me about new and interesting problems that need to be solved. I am really proud to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a sister. All of those relationships have inspired and supported me as a scientist.”

How to learn more about computer science

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Morgan the computer scientist, do you want to learn more about computers and networks? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

More about computer networks

Two or more computers that are linked together form a computer network. People use networks to share resources, exchange files, or communicate with other users.

A network needs different types of computer hardware to work properly. Depending on the type of network, computers, media, and peripherals may be needed. Other devices such as a bridge, a gateway, or a router may also be needed to connect using cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals

To learn more about computer networks, read this article in beanz magazine.

 Here are some interactive activities for girls to try at home:

o https://makered.org/learning-in-the-making/

o https://studio.code.org/projects/public

o https://scratch.mit.edu/

 Learn more about computer science and women who are computer scientists on these websites:

o https://studio.code.org/courses

o https://code.org/girls

o https://www.edx.org/school/harveymuddx

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in computer science. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

 Here’s an excellent resource for parents, “Top 10 Ways Families Can Encourage Girls’ Interest in Computing.”

 Read this article about networks in beanz magazine.

 If you’re interested in learning code, there are many online resources, such as the Ultimate Kids Guide to Coding. And check out GirlsWhoCode.com— they inspire and educate girls with computing skills to help change the world! The GirlsWhoCode website offers fun activities, computer science clubs for girls, summer programs, and you can also sign up for their newsletter (if you’re 13 or older).

Here’sMorganworkingoutdoors,whereshe measureswirelesssignalsfromthecelltowersat thetopofMt.Elden.

 There are many books in the library about computers and software. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

Famous female scientists in the field of computer science

Although Morgan isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous computer scientists who are women. You can visit these websites to read about many of these women from history, such as Grace Hopper, Ada Lovelace, Katherine Johnson, and Kathleen Booth:

 15 Famous Women in Computer Science

 The Top 7 Greatest Female Computer Scientists of All Time

 20 Female Computer Scientists in History

Chapter 3: Meet biochemist Naomi Lee

WhatdoesNaomido?

Naomi is a scientist in Flagstaff. She is a biochemist, which means she studies the chemistry of living organisms, such as humans and diseases.

Naomi is an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in chemistry and biochemistry. She has a laboratory at NAU where she does her research, designing vaccines to prevent diseases and opioid addiction.

WheredidNaomigrowup?

Naomi is a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians. She grew up on the Seneca Cattaraugus reservation in New York state with her family. It is a rural region near the Adirondack Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and Lake Erie. There are only about 10,000 people living on the reservation, so it is much smaller than the Navajo Nation near Flagstaff. It looks a lot different, too. “The land there is much greener than it is here in Arizona,” said Naomi. “We had rolling hills and waterfalls.” It was very cold in the winter, she remembers, and they had a lot of snowstorms.

“When I was a girl, kids didn’t have cellphones to play with, and we didn’t have cable TV or anything like that, so my parents told us kids to go outside and play in the woods. I spent more time outside when I was growing up than I did inside our house.” She played with her brother and sister and their friends, swimming in the creeks in the summers and playing in the snow in the winters.

Naomi said, “I didn't realize I was different back then, because I was surrounded by people who were like me.

Thisis4-year-oldNaomi(right)with heryoungerbrotherDerek

Thisis3-year-oldNaomi(right)withher 6-year-oldsisterVanessa

Everyone faced a lot of the same challenges. It wasn't until I went to college that I realized I was different.”

SohowdidNaomibecomea scientist?

“I always had an interest in pets, so I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian growing up, working with animals,” said Naomi. “But when I was in middle school, we participated in a program called Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) through our local community college and sponsored by the reservation. In the summertime, the program offered outdoors environmental learning. It was the first time I learned about collecting data. That’s what really sparked my curiosity in science.”

Growing up, none of Naomi’s family members or close relatives worked in the sciences, so she didn’t have any role models for being a scientist. “But I always did well in biology, chemistry, and math,” she said. “I didn’t like history or English, so I gravitated more toward the sciences in high school.”

HowdidNaomidecidetobeabiochemist?

When it came time to apply for college, Naomi picked biochemistry as her major. “I didn’t really know what that meant at the time—I just knew I liked biology and chemistry.”

Once she started college at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York, she began meeting people who were mentors, both scientists and others, who helped her on her career path.

“When I was finishing up my undergraduate degree at RIT, Dr. Christina Goudreau Collison was my teacher for advanced organic chemistry. A younger faculty member, she was really excited about chemistry. She was my first female mentor who showed interest in me and helped me figure out the next

ThisisNaomicelebratingherhigh schoolgraduation

Naomiwithher“little” brotherDerek

HereisNaomi(left)withVanessa andDerekatVanessa’swedding

steps in my career. She encouraged me to apply to the University of Rochester for my graduate degree.”

WhatkindsofchallengesdidNaomiface assheworkedtobecomeascientist?

Howdidsheovercomethosechallenges?

As a Native girl, Naomi faced discrimination. “When I was accepted at RIT, I told my high school teacher that I was going to study biochemistry. I remember he said, ‘Oh, that's really hard. I'm not sure if you're going to make it.’”

But Naomi didn’t let that discourage her. “That was probably the first time I really remember being discouraged from science, but I knew I was smart enough to be a scientist.”

WhatisNaomi’sadviceforgirls,especiallyforNativegirls,whoareinterestedin science?Resilienceandcuriosity!

“Native students have to be resilient. They're going to face discouragement and obstacles. I recommend building a network of people who will help support you. No one should do everything on their own.”

She added, “Science is for everyone. If you see yourself as a scientist, use your curiosity as your guide. If something looks interesting, follow your curiosity!”

HowlongdidittakeNaomitobecomea scientist?

Becoming a scientist takes a long time, and it also takes a lot of hard work. Altogether, it took Naomi nearly 17 years before she had enough education to be a research scientist and a university professor.

HereisNaomiwithherparentsasshegraduated fromtheRochesterInstituteofTechnologywithaB.S. inBiochemistry

Naomi went to RIT, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Soon after graduating, she decided to pursue her Master of Science degree at the University of Rochester.

However, both of her parents fell ill, so she took some time off school. During that time, she joined the Army National Guard to explore a career working for the government, but she soon realized how much she really enjoyed science.

After both her parents passed way, Naomi decided to go back to the University of Rochester to earn a Ph.D. That’s when she became “Dr. Lee.” Then she was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health for three years and at the University of New Mexico for three years, before coming to NAU.

“The key to becoming a scientist is to be always dreaming about that next step, no matter how far you go. Even now, I’m dreaming about my next step, too!”

“Perseverance and resilience are so important. In science, you have to learn how to bounce back, because you will have failed experiments. You may not get all the grants you apply for or all the papers you submit may not get published. And you may not win some of the awards you hope for. When that happens, rely on your support system and just keep pushing forward.”

WhatdoesNaomistudyinherlab?

A lot of Naomi’s research is devoted to improving health for people in Native communities. She studies viruses like HPV, which can cause cancer and warts, and she also studies opioid addiction. In her lab, she works to find vaccines for cure people of these diseases and to help prevent them.

MajorintheArmyReserve,wheresheworkswith IndigenouspeopleintheSouthPacific!

WhatelsedoesNaomienjoydoing?

Naomi lives in Flagstaff with her husband, who is in the military. She believes it’s very important for women scientists, especially Native women, to be proud of their heritage and not to separate their identities as Native from their identities as scientists. She is committed to helping Native students learn about science. One of her projects is teaching chemistry to high school students during the summer.

“I really enjoy working with high school students and undergrads, mentoring them, and getting them on a career path that they didn’t even know might exist,” she said.

She is also working with her former mentor, Dr. Christina Goudreau Collison at RIT, who is now her colleague, along with Dr. Joslynn Lee at Fort Lewis College and a student, Ms. Jasmyn Genchev. They are creating teaching materials for Native students that incorporate traditional knowledge such as using plants for medicines.

How to learn more about biochemistry

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Naomi the biochemist, do you want to learn more about biochemistry? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

 Check out the “Chemistry and Culture” Workbook on the REActivities website to see Naomi’s project and to learn more about chemistry in everyday cooking and baking!

 Visit the chem4kids website, where you can find all kinds of information about these topics and many more:

o biochemistry

o matter

o atoms

o periodic table

o elements

o reactions

 Visit biology4kids to learn more about biology, including cells, microorganisms, and plants.

 See the Biochemistry Facts for Kids website, too. It has lots of great information on chemical reactions, enzymes, and macromolecules!

 There are many books in the library about biochemistry. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

More about biochemistry

This is a diagram of an enzyme, a protein molecule in cells:

To learn more about enzymes and all the other fascinating facts about biochemistry, visit the Biochemistry Facts for Kids website, which has lots of great information on chemical reactions, enzymes, and macromolecules!

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in biochemistry. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

Famousfemalescientistsinthefieldofbiochemistry

Although Naomi isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous biochemists who are women. You can visit these websites to read about many of these women from history, such as Gerty Cori, Jennifer Doudna, Peggy Whitson, and Katalin Karikó:



6 Women Biochemists You Should Know About

 Famous Female Biochemists

 Notable Scientists: Biochemists in the 1900s

Chapter 4: Meet cancer biochemist Archana Varadaraj

WhatdoesArchanado?

Archana is a scientist here in Flagstaff. She is a cancer biochemist, which means she studies the chemistry of cancer.

Archana is an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in biochemistry and the chemical and molecular biology of cancer. She has a laboratory at NAU dedicated to cancer research where she is working on new ways to cure the disease.

WheredidArchanagrowup?

Archana grew up Chennai, also known as Madras, a busy city on the southern coast of India. She was an only child, and her parents were very protective.

“I was a quiet child,” she said. “I loved to read storybooks, travel to visit our extended family for summer vacations, and I enjoyed it when my cousins came over to visit.”

Did You Know? When we think of cancer, we often think of doctors, many of them oncologists, who help patients by treating their disease. Behind the scenes, though, thousands of researchers—many of them biochemists like Archana—are hard at work trying to understand cancer and find new ways to prevent and treat it.

SohowdidArchanabecomeascientist?

“Biology was naturally interesting to me as a child,” said Archana. “During summer vacations with friends and cousins, we came up with very creative projects! We would grind up flowers of different colors to create new colors or try to graft plants in the hope of creating new flowers. I don’t think any of these experiments gave us the results we were after, but our plans were always grand, and we were never disappointed!”

ThisislittleArchanawithhergrandmother (called“ammama”inIndia)

“I started taking a serious interest in science when my 8th grade science teacher Ms. Sulochana would praise me for my essays and sketches, which we had to do a lot in Biology class. Although I didn’t always get the best grades in that class, my teacher’s constant encouragement gave me a sense of focus.”

It took a long time for Archana to choose a career as a scientist.

“My father had seen an ad for a competitive student fellowship and suggested I apply. I was selected for the fellowship, which meant I had to leave home and live for the next two months in a city I had never been before. I worked at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology with Dr. Ranajit Banerjee, my research mentor.

“Dr. Banerjee was a very keen scientist and a very caring mentor. Despite him suffering from a degenerative eye disease that affected his vision, he would come in enthusiastically to work every day and only leave when he was physically unable to stay on. I saw a passion for science in him. It was very inspiring for me to be a part of his research group and a great learning experience.

“I knew I was interested in science and a handful of people told me I was good at it, but it was only when I joined a research lab in India while working on my master’s degree did I really get to see and understand the day-to-day job of a scientist. I loved everything about it and wanted to be one of them!”

HowdidArchanadecidetobeabiochemist?

“As I delved deeper into studying biology, biochemistry seemed fascinating. All diseases are a consequence of biochemical processes gone wrong, and there are a lot of cancer drugs that target the biochemical processes in the body. The complexity of biochemistry was, and still is, intriguing.”

WhatkindsofchallengesdidArchanafaceassheworkedtobecomeascientist?

Howdidsheovercomethosechallenges?

Here’sgrown-upArchanaworkinginherlabwitha graduatestudentnamedCarina;photocourtesyofNAU

“Fortunately,” said Archana, “I faced no challenges during my training as a scientist, perhaps because I had an encouraging family, friends, and great mentors at the institutions I was associated with. However, I know that some surroundings can greatly harm the growth of a young scientist. In such regressive environments, it is best to align yourself with intellectually progressive people.”

WhatisArchana’sadviceforgirlswhoare interestedinscience?Followyourinterests!

“If you are interested in the world around you, I would like for you to take any opportunity you get to grow that interest. This could be as simple as observing nature, reading science fiction, or maintaining a diary of your questions--or it could be something more organized such as going to science fairs (like the Flagstaff Festival of Science) or by reading serious science books.

“Throughout this process, you may not have all the answers to your questions, and the books may seem difficult, but I think you will certainly end up with very clever questions which maybe you can solve one day.”

HowlongdidittakeArchanatobecomeascientist?

Archana earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Madras in India, and her Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England. She then completed her training at The Ohio State University, the University of South Carolina, and at the European Institute of Oncology in Italy, where she specialized in biochemistry .

“Training to be a scientist can take a long time,” said Archana, “but I don’t encourage you to look at it that way. While training, you are still a scientist! and hard work is always worth it, because it is your work. This is particularly true in the life of a scientist.

“Your discoveries that come from hard work, whether big or small, are entirely yours. The excitement from one discovery makes you want to do more.”

ThisisArchanawithherhusbandNaren.They arestandinginfrontofCharlesDarwin'shouse inCambridge,England.

“Your discoveries that come from hard work, whether big or small, are entirely yours. The excitement from one discovery makes you want to do more.”

WhatdoesArchanastudyinherlab?

Archana studies the molecular biology of cancer tumors, looking for ways to keep tumors from growing in the human body. She also applies what she’s learned studying cancer to investigate new ways to reverse tissue damage caused by lung disease.

WhatelsedoesArchanaenjoydoing?

Although her parents live in Kerala, India, Archana lives in Flagstaff with her husband Naren, who is also a scientist. Archana and Naren have a little boy named Nandan, which means “happiness” in the Sanskrit language!

“I had several hobbies as a girl,” said Archana. “I loved to draw pencil sketches, collect stamps from different countries, play Carnatic classical music, and play badminton and squash.”

MeetNandan,Archana’stwo-year-old boy.Hisnamemeans“happiness”!

ThisisArchanawithNarenandNandanenjoyingan outingwithseveralyoungwomenscientists,allformer studentsfromtheirlabs

How to learn more about biochemistry and cancer

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Archana the biochemist, do you want to learn more about biochemistry and cancer? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

 Visit the Biochemistry Literacy for Kids website, a unique learning program that brings comprehensive college science curricula to students beginning in elementary school.

 See “Cancer Facts: Lesson for Kids” on the Study.com website.

 Visit the chem4kids website, where you can find all kinds of information about these topics and many more, such as:

o biochemistry

o matter

o atoms

o periodic table

o elements

o reactions

More about cancer biochemistry

This is a spheroid, or ball, of kidney cancer cells as seen through a scanning electron microscope. Archana said, “I think it is scary and beautiful at the same time!”

 Visit biology4kids to learn more about biology, including cells, microorganisms, and plants.

 See the Biochemistry Facts for Kids website, too. It has lots of great information on chemical reactions, enzymes, and macromolecules!

 Visit Ducksters.com for information on biology and cancer.

 Take a look at the Cancer Research UK website for science activities for kids.

 There are many books in the library about biochemistry, biology, and cancer. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in biochemistry. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

Credit: Aubrey Funke

Famousfemalescientistsinthefieldofcancer

Although Archana isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous biochemists and other scientists studying cancer who are women. You can visit these websites to read about many of these women from history, such as Gertrude Elion, Kornelia Polyakis, and Jewel Plummer Cobb:

 Inspiring Women Biochemists

 Meet Five Women Who Advanced Cancer Research and Treatment

Chapter 5: Meet disease ecologist Bridget Barker

WhatdoesBridgetdo?

Bridget is a scientist here in Flagstaff. She is a disease ecologist, which means she studies diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. She mostly studies Valley Fever, a potentially deadly, dust-borne fungal disease increasingly common in the desert Southwest.

Bridget is an associate professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in microbiology. She also has a laboratory at NAU where she does her research.

WheredidBridgetgrowup?

Bridget was once a girl just like you. She grew up with her parents and her younger sister in a town near Billings, Montana, where there are mountains and prairies. A big part of her life was spent visiting her extended family—her grandparents, uncles, and cousins—who lived out in the country.

She would go visit them on their farms and ranches, especially in the summers, to help with the crops and the animals. She loved feeding baby lambs with a bottle and riding horses with her cousins. Bridget always wanted a horse of her own, but her parents couldn’t afford one, so she rode horses with her cousins every chance she could get.

“I always got teased that I was the city cousin visiting the country cousins,” Bridget said. “But growing up in eastern Montana, I have the best memories of summertime, having that freedom and having those experiences out on the land. I really think it shapes who you are.”

SohowdidBridgetbecomeascientist?

When she was young, Bridget didn’t think much about science or about being a scientist. Because she loved animals, especially horses, she thought that she might want to be an equine veterinarian—a doctor who specializes in treating horses—when she grew up.

Here’sBridgetasasmallchild, ridingahorse!

Here’sBridgetin6thgrade

Bridget loved school and she loved reading. She learned to read when she was only four years old! “My parents had to like take the nightlight out of my room because I would stay up at night and read.”

Her mother was a teacher. “My idea of having fun was playing school with my sister—and I played the teacher.”

She didn’t learn much science in elementary school, but in 7th grade, her biology teacher, Mr. Warwick, played an important role in Bridget’s interest in science. “Mr. Warwick taught us the basic principles of genetics,” Bridget said, “and how to predict things like genotypes using formulas and what’s known as the Punnett Square.”

“I was obsessed with these formulas. It was like predicting the future. It was so cool!” Learning about genetics had a powerful impact on Bridget.

But before she considered becoming a scientist, Bridget wanted to be an international lawyer. She went to Norway as an exchange student for a year. After graduating high school, she took two years off before going to college to take care of her younger sister. It gave her time to decide what she wanted to study.

“I wanted to get my bachelor's degree,” Bridget said, “but I was trying to figure out what I was really interested in and passionate about. So, I started reading a lot of books, and I remembered that experience of learning about genetics. It really felt like something that I could be fascinating in for the rest of my life.”

She enrolled in the University of Montana, where she started her scientific journey studying botany—plant science. Her interests grew to include the ecology and evolution of many different organisms, studying the soil and the

environments in which they live. Eventually, she became interested in studying fungal pathogens—fungi that cause diseases.

Bridget earned a BA in Botany and an MS in Organismal Biology and Ecology from the University of Montana. She got a job working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Prosser, Washington, as a lab technician, then moved to Tucson, Arizona, to work in a lab at The University of Arizona (UA).

The researchers in the lab at UA were studying the fungi Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii (cocci for short), which cause Valley Fever.

Here’sBridgetwithherparents

HowdidBridgetdecidetobeadisease ecologist?

But instead of being a lab technician—who carries out the day-to-day work of running experiments in the lab—Bridget soon realized how much she wanted to be a researcher and help solve the mysteries of Valley Fever herself. She decided to earn her PhD in Genetics at UA. She was awarded a Fellowship in Comparative Genomics from the National Science Foundation, which meant she didn’t have to worry about paying for tuition or other expenses while she worked on her degree.

After that, Bridget went to Montana State University in Bozeman as a Postdoctoral Fellow and worked on her research. In 2013, she moved to Flagstaff to be an Assistant Research Professor both at NAU and at TGen North. In 2016 she joined NAU’s Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) as a research-intensive tenured Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and was promoted to Associate Professor.

Since then, she has been building her career on research focused on the ecology and population genetics of cocci and detecting cocci in the soil.

WhatkindsofchallengesdidBridgetfaceasshe workedtobecomeascientist?Howdidshe overcomethosechallenges?

What Bridget learned from her parents

Bridget said, “I learned a lot from my dad about how to fix things. He wouldn't let me get my driver's license until I knew how to change the oil, change the tires, or check the battery on the car myself. He wanted me to know how to do all those things in case I was out in the middle of nowhere in Montana and the car broke down, so he taught me all these mechanical skills. And I’m super thankful that he did, because having these skills has helped me in a lot of situations—and not just in the car. I’m also able to fix equipment in my lab!”

She credits her mom with being a strong influence and nurturing her academic abilities. “My mom was a teacher, is very intellectual, and loves to read. Learning from both my parents has served me well, giving me the ability to exist in both worlds. For example, I can go out and talk to the ranchers and get permission to sample the soil on their land. But I can also go into the lab or the classroom and function well there, too.”

“My fifth-grade teacher told me, ‘well, don't worry if math is hard for you, because, you know, it's not important for girls to do math.’ That was really tough to hear.”

Whyisitsoimportanttohavementorsinscience?

Bridget had a mentor who changed her life. “I had a great mentor at the USDA,” she said. “He told me I really wasn’t a technician, and that I needed to get my PhD.”

“Be persistent and don't let anyone tell you that it's something you can’t do. Follow your heart, follow your gut.”

WhatisBridget’sadviceforgirlswhoareinterestedinscience?Followyourheart!

“Be persistent and don't let anyone tell you that it's something you can’t do. Follow your heart, follow your gut. And learn as much as you can. There are a lot of really great biographies about female scientists and their journeys. Read a lot and try to understand what your options are. Realize that the struggles are real, and you're going to face adversity, so work on being resilient.”

Bridget also wants girls to know that it’s never too late to change your mind. “You get into doing something and you realize it’s not what you want to do, just like me with being a lawyer. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. It’s never too late to do something different.”

WhatdoesBridgetstudyinher lab?

These days, Bridget is working on many different research projects—all related to Valley Fever. She studies the ecology of the fungi (cocci) that causes the disease, which means she collects samples of the soil from many different places across Arizona and the Southwest and analyzes what it is about each location that makes it an ideal place for the fungi to thrive. But she also studies the genetics of cocci, trying to understand how the fungi spreads and survives.

The Queen of Cocci

Bridget focuses mostly on humans who get Valley Fever, but she also studies dogs with Valley Fever. She is trying to understand why some breeds of dogs get Valley Fever and why other breeds don’t.

WhatelsedoesBridgetenjoydoing?

Bridget lives in Flagstaff with her husband and Roscoe the dog. She has a garden. She loves camping, hiking, taking road trips, and being outdoors.

“Being a Westerner, I need wide open spaces. I need time without people to think and just be in nature. I love being outside and exploring as much as I can. I start my day by going for a morning walk. We're so lucky, especially living here in Flagstaff.”

Today, Bridget is known as the “Queen of Cocci” because she specializes in studying the pathogens Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii (cocci for short), which cause Valley Fever. Watch

How to learn more about genetics and disease ecology

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Bridget the disease ecologist, do you want to learn more about genetics and ecology? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

 Take a look at Genetics for Kids to learn about genetics, DNA, and all kinds of very interesting facts.

 Visit Ducksters.com for information on biology and genetics.

More about genetics

Genetics is the study of heredity, or how certain features pass from parents to their offspring, or young. Every kind of plant and animal produces young of its own species, or type. The young resemble their parents. But offspring are not usually exactly the same as their parents.

 Visit the Ecological Society of America website to explore ecology as a career.

 There are many books in the library about genetics. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in genetics and disease ecology. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

Famousfemalescientistsinthefieldofgeneticsandinfectiousdiseases

Although Bridget isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous geneticists who are women. You can visit these websites to read about many of these women from history, such as Rosalind Franklin, Barbara McClintock, Marie Daly, and Nettie Stevens:

 Women Pioneers in Genetics: Moving the Field Forward

 22 Women Geneticists Who Should be Famous!

 Women in Genetics

Chapter 6: Meet ecologist Clare Aslan

WhatdoesClaredo?

Clare is an ecologist and conservation biologist here in Flagstaff. She studies animals and plants and the environment. She is an expert in pollinators--birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and small mammals that pollinate plants so they can grow.

Clare is an associate professor at Northern Arizona University, where she teaches classes in ecology and conservation biology. She also has a laboratory at NAU where she does her research.

WheredidClaregrowup?

Clare was once a girl just like you. She grew up with her parents and her brother in Prescott, Arizona, a medium-sized town in the mountains about 65 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

“My family was very passionate about hiking and camping and the outdoors, so we spent many weekends exploring the canyons and forests of the region,” said Clare.

Did you know?

Pollinators like honeybees, which move pollen from one plant to another, are the most important way for plants and other flowers to be fertilized. Pollinators are responsible for producing one out of every three bites of food we eat!

She loved being outdoors with her family. She liked to learn outdoor skills from her dad, watch birds with her mom, and keep up with her brother as he climbed trees and rocks.

Clare’s other hobbies as a girl were reading and writing. “I would read hundreds of pages every week, often re-reading the same fantasy and science fiction novels over and over again. I wrote my first full-length novel, an adventure story about a magical world, when I was in elementary school. I spent a lot of time daydreaming and imagining things.”

ThisisClarelookingatashellonthebeach

SohowdidClarebecomeascientist?

“When I was little,” said Clare, “I actually thought I didn’t like science. I remember thinking that science lessons in school were boring: it seemed like they were all about learning new vocabulary, without giving room for fun or creativity! Now I realize that I just wasn’t connecting science with the fascinating natural world I loved to explore. When I was hiking with my parents, I loved to learn about the plants and animals we came across, but I didn’t realize that there are endless questions remaining to be answered about our world, nor that it takes a strong imagination to figure out how to address them!”

The first time science really caught Clare’s attention was in the science fiction she loved to read. “I remember reading a futuristic novel in which a geneticist saved the world. The idea that scientific advances could solve critical problems caught my attention and never faded.”

Both of Clare’s parents were dedicated to protecting the environment, which inspired her to become a scientist who could help protect the environment. Her mom was a biologist and an educator. “She had deep knowledge about the natural world and I learned all of my early lessons from her while we were outdoors on our family adventures.”

Her father was a teacher. “He was deeply concerned about social issues, including environmental damage and biodiversity losses. He channeled his caring for others and for the world into our family.”

HowdidClaredecidetobeanecologist?

“When I went to college,” Clare said, “I realized how important it was to me to maintain a connection with the natural world. I also wanted to make a difference and help make the world a better place. I realized a career in conservation science could bring these passions together.”

In college, Clare found ecology as a way to explore nature and help save threatened species. “My research mostly takes place out of doors, in the field, allowing me to explore amazing places and combine work and adventure.”

When she was planning the research she would do in graduate school, she decided to focus on pollinators and the plants that depend on them. “I feel a special connection to pollinators. They have a very complex relationship to each other.” For example, when butterflies land on flowers to drink nectar, their bodies collect the pollen in the flower and carry it to other flowers, which helps fruits and vegetable plants produce new seeds.

Clare said, “Not many scientists study how pollinators and plants work together to help each other. It’s a very positive and idealistic element of nature, so fits my personality perfectly!”

WhatkindsofchallengesdidClarefaceassheworkedtobecomeascientist?How didsheovercomethosechallenges?

“I have been very fortunate and have found support throughout my education and career. Although conservation biology remains a very male-dominated field, I worked with exceptional mentors who allowed me to assist with active research projects and to pursue my own questions, providing freedom and encouragement to me. I also formed close relationships with peers and peer mentors. When I was in college, I helped graduate students with their research and became friends with them, learning from them about the graduate school process and tips for continuing in my scientific career.”

Howlongdidittaketobecomeascientist?

“I have always enjoyed school,” Clare said. “I like learning new things and I like being in an environment with other students and teachers.”

Clare went to college for four years at The University of Arizona in Tucson, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. After that, she was a volunteer in the Peace Corps for several years.

Clare spent the next six years at the University of California, Davis, where she earned her PhD in Ecology, then completed a Smith Conservation Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Clare also worked at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson as a scientist for two years. In 2014, she moved to Flagstaff to be an assistant professor at NAU. Whyisitsoimportanttohavementorsinscience?

Becoming a scientist took a long time, but Clare says it helped to have mentors. “I benefited from mentors and made lifelong friendships and learned new things every step of the way.”

“Theworldneedsmorescientists,andtheworldneedsyou!We havesomanyproblemsthatneedsolving,andweneed informationinordertofindsolutions.”

WhatisClare’sadviceforgirlswhoareinterestedinscience?Startwith imagination,creativity,andcuriosity!

Clare said, “The world needs more scientists, and the world needs you! We have so many problems that need solving, and we need information in order to find solutions.

“A career as a scientist starts with imagination, creativity, and curiosity; you will come up with questions and think of possible answers to them. If you find you are interested in

certain topics—whether that’s insects or stars or plants or electricity—don’t hesitate to learn all you can about those topics.

“Read books, watch videos, talk to scientists, and start finding the answers to your questions. Eventually you’ll ask a question that no one knows the answer to—and that’s where your own research will begin.”

WhatdoesClarestudyinherlab?

These days, Clare is working on many different research projects, many of which take her outdoors and out of the lab. “Through my research, I am working to understand how environmental changes affect pollinators and the plants that depend on them. One of the best things about my career, now that I’m in it, is the opportunity to see and experience new things all the time.

“I keep asking new questions that take me into new settings—for example, last week I performed research in a canyon near Mexico, a pine forest near the Grand Canyon, a vineyard where grapes are grown, and a pollinator garden in my own backyard—all within a single week! I have ongoing research in Hawaii and travel there several times a year. I feel lucky that this job never feels boring!”

WhatelsedoesClareenjoydoing?

Clare lives in Flagstaff, where she and her husband have two children. Her daughter is a musician and writer and is heading to college soon, hoping to study aerospace engineering. Her son is in middle school and loves basketball and video games. Her husband is a fiction writer and an elected official.

“We love to hike and backpack together and hiked 120 miles in California this past summer. We also have two cats—Shackleton and Mitchell—and we foster a lot of kittens, which is endlessly entertaining. Some of our family hobbies include board games, adventure movies, and travel.”

How to learn more about ecology and conservation science

What’snextforyou?

After reading about Clare the ecologist, do you want to learn more about conservation science and ecology? Here are some ways you can discover more on your own:

 Take a look at Kids Do Ecology to learn about world biomes, marine mammals, endangered species, and all kinds of very interesting facts.

 Learn how you can help change the world by joining the Kids Ecology Corps!

 Visit Generation Genius to learn more about ecosystems, including animals, plants, and non-living things too.

 There are many books in the library about ecology and conservation science. Ask your school librarian to help you find books you can borrow to read more.

 Talk to your teachers and your parents and let them know that you’re interested in ecology and conservation science. Chances are they can help you find books and other resources to learn more.

Famousfemalescientistsinthefieldofecologyandconservationbiology

Although Clare isn’t famous (yet), there are some famous ecologists who are women. Visit the A Mighty Girl website to learn more about them, including Jane Goodall, Winona LaDuke, Rachel Carson, Dian Fossey, and Wangari Maathai.

Here’saphotoofClarebackpackingwithherfamily