Blog & News

December 4th, 2024

Featured Ecologist: Jesse Borden, PhD

 

Who or what inspired you to become an ecologist?

My love for ecology started with hours and hours tromping through woods and mountain streams in rural Kenya as a kid. I would disappear into the woods, look for wildlife and catch anything I could grab. Like so many in my generation, Steve Irwin inspired my love of critters and the desire to interact with them. Then, as an undergrad, my two bio professors (Jeff Schloss & Beth Horvath) helped me see the complex and beautiful way all living things are connected. Seeing these connections more fully and all around me is what led me to be an ecologist. I love the way all life is intricately connected and interdependent.

 

What are you most looking forward to in your role? Why?

I am thrilled to use my training as a scientist and ecologist to actively be part of projects focused on conservation and restoration. While I love doing research, I ultimately hope to contribute to projects on the ground making tangible changes towards a future in which biodiversity and people both thrive.

 

If you had free reign and unlimited resources, what environmental issue would you most like to tackle?

The climate crisis, for sure! I think about the climate crisis constantly and am keenly aware that it is impacting literally everything we each love on this earth. If we could heal our climate, it would have so many knock-on wins for people and the environment all across the world.

 

What do you think the future of ecology will look like?

I think the field of ecology is growing and stretching in so many good ways right now. For example, there is a growing awareness of the importance of indigenous knowledge across the world and I hope to see the field continue to integrate lots of different knowledge systems and become more interdisciplinary and diverse. I think it would be so cool to have ecologists working in all spheres of society: business, in city planning, in agriculture, etc. I think we will head that way, into a world in which we recognize we are part of everything, and all our endeavors should consider their ecological context and impact.

 

Do you have any advice for people considering a career as an ecologist?

Because there are many different careers in ecology talk to lots of people in different positions to get a sense for what they do. If you have lots of flexibility and are early in your career trajectory, take advantage of the many amazing seasonal research positions you can find working alongside ecologists all over the world! These opportunities can be epic adventures while also giving you a real sense what types of careers are out there and what you like.