en: What’s life like as a Scripps student?
MC: Especially now that I've completed my course requirements, I spend most days processing or analyzing samples in the lab, in meetings with colleagues, working with undergraduate research assistants on their projects, and sitting at my computer analyzing and writing about my data (not to mention the growing onus of e-mail and miscellaneous administrative tasks). When I have time, I engage in various forms of outreach and science communication, such as talking to school groups or blogging/posting/etc. on the internet.
en: What’s the most exciting thing about your work?
MC: The most fulfilling part of my work is the few weeks a year I get to travel for fieldwork. I have had great opportunities to travel around Mexico and other parts of Latin America to sample the sediments of their mangroves. The adventure and natural beauty of these places is not only fun, but experiencing these places in person also plays a critical role in the process of understanding natural ecosystems. Walking or wading, swimming, or climbing through the mangroves engages the senses, imagination, and full attention of a naturalist, sparking critical observations and making possible new insights and questions about how these ecosystems work.
en: Are there any role models or mentors who have helped you along the way?
MC: I have had so much help in getting this far in marine research. From my freshman year at Regis High School, my biology teacher and mentor Diane Walsh encouraged me to ask new questions and she provided the tools to explore them, even when the answers were not sure to pan out. At Princeton, my bachelor's thesis adviser James L. Gould opened so many doors for me: teaching marine biology in Bermuda, encouraging me to return to TA the class and conduct a research project on the mangroves there, and helping me build a strong foundation in building a research project, statistical analysis, and strong scientific writing. Stephen Pacala also provided valuable help in focusing my research interests into a successful graduate project. At Scripps, my co-advisers Leichter and Aburto-Oropeza continue to provide opportunities for expanding my research, capturing the most important impacts of my findings, and thinking about how I can apply my skills and knowledge in the future.
en: What are some of the challenges you face as a student?
MC: I think many students would agree that one of the greatest challenges of graduate school is time management. We face an ever-growing array of responsibilities, from taking classes to helping teach classes; building an understanding of the literature for the development of your research project; writing reports, grants, and publications; managing collaborations; mentoring earlier-stage students; etc. Figuring out how to get it all done without staying up all night or losing your mind sometimes seems impossible. Fortunately, at Scripps we are in good company, in a community of fellow students among whom is shared not only the drive to achieve but also a spirit of generosity and mutual support.
en: What are your plans?
MC: I hope to continue in academia and am currently looking for postdoctoral research opportunities in the study of coastal wetland ecosystems, the services that they provide to humans, and their sustainable management in a human-dominated world.
You can find Matthew Costa on Twitter as @MangroveMatt. You can find the Gulf of California Marine Program on Facebook @GCMarineProgram and on Twitter @GCMarineProgram.
- Shawndiz Hazegh
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