Exploring Careers in Biology, Evolution and Ecology

The yearly career panel discussion is held at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference. It is sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent), the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), the Ecological Society of America (ESA), and the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE). The event features panelists representing a wide variety of career paths (academia, museums and science centers, government agencies, and industry) in evolution and ecology. Attendees have the opportunity to find out about the rewards and challenges of the various career paths and ask questions of the panelists. Listening to the scientists speak about their experiences is a great opportunity to learn about the academic and professional paths they followed to get them to their current jobs. Visit the links below to learn more about the scientists and their work.

AIBS, NESCent, NCEAS, ESA and SSE organize additional activities at the SACNAS conference that relate to ecology and evolution. At the 2007 conference, a field trip to the University of Kansas Natural History Museum was conducted to give students a behind-the-scenes look at the museum. Participants were able to view parts of the museum's collection and speak with curators about the role museums play in current biology research. Additionally, there was a showing of "Flock of Dodos," a documentary exploring the issues surrounding evolution, creationism, and intelligent design.

Registration information for the SACNAS conference can be found at www.sacnas.org. Check back here for to find out who will be on the next career panel and what biology-related activities are scheduled for the 2008 conference.

2007 Panel Session

Video of the panel discussion coming soon!

Session Speakers:

Roberto Frontera-Suau, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Elizabeth City State University

Neo Martinez, Ph.D. - Director, Pacific Ecoinformatics and Computational Ecology Lab

Sonia Ortega, Ph.D. - Program Director, Division of Graduate Education, National Science Foundation

Jorge Soberon, Ph.D. - Senior Scientist, University of Kansas

2006 Panel Session

Session Speakers:

Margaret D. Lowman, Ph.D. - Professor, New College of Florida

Emilio Bruna, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, University of Florida

H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. - Division Director, Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division (FL)

Brian Rybarczyk, Ph.D. - Director, Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill