November 19th, 2024
Featured Ecologist: Diana Navarro, MEDS
Who or what inspired you to become an ecologist?
It was a culmination of my time spent in consulting and my educational career. I always had a passion for the environment and that was what drew me into oceanography and earth sciences as an undergraduate. When I branched out into consulting, I learned a lot about the industry and how it important it is to have ecologist and environmental professionals to preserve, mitigate, or restore ecosystems.
What are you most looking forward to in your role? Why?
I am most excited about engaging with the data. I enjoy understanding ecosystems on a technical level and am always looking for ways to improve those skills!
What is a typical day like for you at work?
I am still new so I don’t have an established routine, but always looking for projects to join!
If you had free reign and unlimited resources, what environmental issue would you most like to tackle?
A big issue that would be interesting to explore is the relationship between climate change and how that impacts crime rates in different countries.
What do you think the future of ecology will look like?
The future of ecology should ideally integrate local and indigenous knowledge and practices. As an ecologist, we study and investigate ecosystems, but often lack familiarity with these traditional approaches. Creating an inclusive learning space in this field will allow for a collaborative environment to explore new solutions.
Do you have any advice for people considering a career as an ecologist?
Stay curious!
