On Wednesday, January 15, the Women in STEM club hosted an online Zoom meeting with Marine Biogeochemist Mo Wise to share her journey through academia and her current role as a wetland scientist at the Ranch Water District.
The Women in STEM club invites 15 to 20 speakers annually, a mix of in-person and virtual guests, to provide students with insights into various career pathways. Earlier this year, the club requested meetings at the Discovery Cube symposium before a panel of women in STEM fields such as biology, chemistry, and aerospace. While the club often features professionals in engineering disciplines like mechanical and electrical engineering, there have been fewer opportunities to hear from biology and marine biology experts. All the more reason why this was a precious opportunity for those interested in environmental sciences.
“A lot of people don’t know what they want to do: it could be 100 different things,” Women in STEM president Evelyn Naing (12) said. “It is a really good way for people to realize that it might be something they want to do.”
Wise began her academic journey studying Aquatic Biology at University of California (UC) Santa Barbara, a campus ideally situated along the coast for exploring marine life. She shared her experiences working in research laboratories during college and advancing to research scuba diving in the Santa Barbara coastal zone and Channel Islands after graduation. She continued her postgraduate work at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, studying psychology with Dr. Mike Graham and chemical oceanography with Dr. Kenneth Coale.
“I did a lot of water quality monitoring. I lived out in the field, and that’s when I realized I really like working outside. I like working with my hands. I like solving problems, and that keeps me going and moving forward,” Wise said.
Contesting the common perception of scientists as confined to laboratory work, Mo demonstrated that science careers could incorporate hands-on work in her niche passions. She shared her enjoyment of collaborating with school districts, universities, nonprofits, and public agencies. Her work includes constructing wetlands to treat water, reducing waste, and restoring wildlife habitats, all to help maintain freshwater resources.
“In academia, you focus on specific, detailed projects. In a public agency, you can take those focused projects and apply them on a broader scale,” Wise said. “So I’m kind of taking my ocean background and my love for water and ocean life in general, but then using it to help maintain the freshwater resources that are directly going out to the ocean.”
Wise also described treatment wetlands as man-made ecosystems designed to clean urban runoff before it reaches the ocean. These wetlands rely on natural processes rather than chemicals to purify water, removing sediments, pesticides, heavy metals, and animal waste. Besides sharing her progression in his career, Wise inspired students to pursue their niche interests.
“It sparked my interest when she said it’s okay to not force yourself to like something,” Women in STEM vice-president Amanda Noguez (12) said. “So many students feel like they need to join specific extracurriculars or sports, but in the end, it’s better to find your niche and pursue what you genuinely enjoy.”
Through events like these, students get to talk and ask questions to experts to either clarify misinformation or affirm their interests.
“I can’t tell you how many times people have been influenced, and I know it because those students are now in college having internships,” Women in STEM advisor Mr. Michael Collins said.
For those who wish to future possible volunteering opportunities the Aquatic biology or have remaining questions, Wise offered her professional email address for interested high schoolers: [email protected].
