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Meet Dr. Kathy Kuletz

Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Dr. Kathy Kuletz

Kathy's role in Gulf Watch Alaska:

Pelagic Ecosystems Co-Principal Investigator,
Prince William Sound Marine Bird Population Trends

Important skills for her position:

"Biometric and GIS skills are of course important for working in science, but writing and communication skills are more important for me now, at this stage in my career. And of course, getting outdoors when possible, to recharge interest and enthusiasm, even get new ideas."

Challenges in her work:

"Obtaining the support needed for a scientific project, especially something long-term, takes an enormous amount of time and effort - and is usually not why one goes into science. But it has to be done... these aren't the fun aspects of science, but they also help you to refine your goals, objectives, and approach."

Kathy's advice to young people interested in science: "Get some field experience, and even work on several types of studies to see what really stokes your interest in learning more. Often, biologists start out as volunteers (I did) and move to seasonal field work, or help with data and reports. When you're on a project, do some background searching and reading on the subject or your specific project (so easy to do these days), and find out what questions the project leader is focused on. If you do a good job, work well in difficult conditions, and stay in contact, chances are you'll be called back."

Dr. Kathy Kuletz describes her career as a seabird biologist. (3:14)

Video Transcript

 

Who is watching the Blob?

Meet Kathy
Meet Sonia
Meet Seth

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