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Melissa Cristina Márquez
PhD Candidate, Curtin University at Perth
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If STEM is your passion, stick to it!
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I study shark habitat use (why sharks are where they are) and human-wildlife conflict (how our perception of sharks has changed over time and how that impacts the success of shark conservation).
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I have always been fascinated with misunderstood creatures, especially those that reside in the ocean. For sharks in particular, I wasn't dead-set on studying them until I saw them flying in the air on a "Shark Week" show.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
That I was about to do a TEDx talk, have a book contract with Scholastic, be on Shark Week (twice!) and host my own podcast. I never thought I would be able to live out my dream of a marine biologist.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I love waking up every day knowing I am going to learn something new! We are constantly making new discoveries!
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
I want to tell them that if STEM is their passion, stick to it! It can be a frustrating, and often lonely, road but it is so worth pursuing if this is what you love.
INSPO / FUN FACT
"Your limitation—it's only your imagination."