And a career protecting wildlife and the environment.

As a kid, my father took me hunting and fishing, which instilled an appreciation and love of the outdoors and all wildlife. My professional goal was to be a veterinarian, but as a solid B student, I didn't make the cut. The mix of being a biology and chemistry major and the love of the outdoors steered me toward a career in the biological sciences.

I usually tell people that my education focused on fish, most of my early experience focused on plants, and my heart is with the birds. With this job, I get to do work in all three arenas.