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Featured Scientist of the Month: Jason Adolf - 10.17.2013

Hometown: East Windsor, NJ

Occupation: Assistant Professor of Marine Science, University of Hawai?i, Hilo

Research Interests: Phytoplankton Ecology and Biological Oceanography. I investigate how changes in phytoplankton in the coastal ocean impacts higher trophic levels.

Interests Growing up: I was not actually academically-minded growing up. I was very much into sports, the beach, and music. I even played guitar in a band, but my grandfather was a fisherman and I worked as a clam-digger in the summers on the Jersey Shore with my grandparents.

How I got into Marine Science: I’ve always had an interest in the ocean and I decided to go to school for Marine Science. I went to a small college and had great professors who were very encouraging. I was able to get lots of individual mentorship.

Scientific Mission: I want to show people that water chemistry and microbes have impacts on the entire ecosystem including people. I want people to think about how things are connected.

Advice for Young Scientists: Simple … Pursue something that you really like. Graduate school takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but if you enjoy what you do, and you’re passionate about it, it’s so much easier. Also, be curious!

Questions for Jason? Contact him here: jadolf@hawaii.edu

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