Catherine Drake

Hometown:  Yorba Linda, CA

 Undergraduate education: B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California, Irvine; 2010

Work experience before MLML:

I’ve worked at Disneyland, the Summer Session office at UCI, Quest Diagnostics and most recently at Travelex Foreign Currency.

Q: Why did you decide to pursue marine science?

A:  The moment that “sealed the deal” for me was on a fifth grade field trip to Crystal Cove State Beach during a very low tide.  I wandered on the rocks of the intertidal zones in awe for hours.  Since then, studying marine ecosystems was never far from my mind, and now it’s a reality!

Q: What experiences and opportunities have shaped your path to get you where you are now?

A:  Growing up, my parents would take me to the beach and teach me the wonders of the oceans.  As a result, my parents shaped me into becoming compassionate about protecting the oceans and marine organisms.  One opportunity that really taught me the importance of habitat protection and species conservation was the research I took part in during my undergraduate studies at UCI.  I did research at a freshwater marsh that was home to many endangered plant and animal species, and without that experience, I would never have properly appreciated all the ecological complexities within a habitat.

Q: What are you studying and why is it interesting and important to you?

A:  Currently I am taking MS 104, which is a course about statistics.  This class is essential because eventually I’ll be using the statistics I learn about for data analysis as I work on my thesis.

I am also taking MS 141, or geological oceanography, which is a great class.  Studying the movement of plates and how the continents and oceans formed through plate tectonics is incredibly fascinating.

Q: What are you hoping or planning to do when you finish?

A:  I would like to continue my education and plan to get a PhD after my Master’s program here.

Q: What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of graduate school?

A:  The most challenging aspect of graduate school will possibly be learning how to think like a scientist by formulating a thesis question that is not only a fresh idea, but is also integral to the betterment of marine science.

The most rewarding aspect of graduate school so far is being able to take classes with other people who are as passionate about marine ecosystems as I am.  It is really refreshing to know that there are others as interested in science as myself.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who wants to get in to marine science?

A:  If you are interested in getting into marine science, then I would definitely advise that you get involved in research.  Personally, I have research experience both in the lab and out in the field, so from that experience I now know that I like doing research in both environments.

Also, I would just say spend time at the beach!  Take a trip to tide pools, go to an aquarium and take an introductory marine biology course!  These basic steps will help build a foundation of knowledge that will allow you to pursue marine science.