For our August “fish sister” profile, we are highlighting Dr. Shirley Baker, a professor at the University of Florida, newly appointed Associate Program Leader for Natural Resources, and an expert on the ecology, physiology, and aquaculture of marine invertebrates, especially molluscs. Shirley is currently working with the hard clam aquaculture industry in Florida to address several challenges such as the reliance on primarily one species, anthropogenic disturbances, harmful algal blooms, and extreme temperatures. She has over 50 publications to her name concentrating on aquaculture and non-native species and ranging from marine to freshwater environments. As an aside, Shirley is an inspiration to fisheries moms – she accomplished all of this while raising triplets! See more here.
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CURRENT POSITION(S):
Professor, School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK/RESEARCH:
My focus has shifted over the years, and I currently do more teaching than research. I study molluscs, invertebrates, and invasive species in relation to aquaculture, ecosystem services, and physiology. I recently accepted a 40% administrative role and so my focus is shifting again. I’m always up for a challenge!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN FISHERIES?
I’ve been working on fisheries organisms since starting my PhD in 1988 at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. My dissertation examined the impact of hypoxic events on the oysters of Chesapeake Bay.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD?
I had an “aha” moment on a 7th grade field trip to Puget Sound (I lived near Seattle at the time). We did plankton tows and dredging, and I just thought it was SO cool. My parents supported my passion for marine science from then on. I sort of “fell into” the field of fisheries, however. It was interactions during my PhD that really piqued my interest in the interactions of the environment and human dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MENTOR OR ROLE MODEL?
One of my favorite mentors and role models is Dr. Nora Terwilliger. She was one of my master’s advisors at the University of Oregon. She is outspoken, spunky, brilliant….and much shorter than me! We are still friends, nearly 35 years later! I’ve been told that I “do science” like Nora – a huge compliment!
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
This is a hard question because I have many mentors who serve different roles. Besides Nora, my dad had a great influence on me. He had polio as a kid and so had some physical limitations. But he never let it stop him or used it as an excuse. From him I learned that “You take what you’re given, and you make the most of it.”
WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN?
“Just say no” – to the extra stuff that women (and minorities) often get asked to do. Do I follow that advice? Not as often as I should!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WOMEN ENTERING THE FIELD?
Be your genuine self. Don’t waste energy trying to conform to other’s ideas of what a woman in fisheries should be like.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING IN FISHERIES?
It makes me happy that through my research findings, I am, in some very small way, helping to improve the livelihoods of people working in fisheries or aquaculture. I also love it when students decide they want to go into fisheries!
WHAT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD WHILE WORKING IN FISHERIES?
Another hard question – how to pick just one? But there is nothing better than being on a boat on the water on a glorious day!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FISH?
Can I choose a non-fisheries species? The Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker! I did an internship in the invertebrate section of the Seattle Aquarium but would sneak over to the Puget Sound Fish exhibit to visit the lumpsuckers.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?
As you move through your career, give your sisters in fisheries a hand up! Cultivate those relationships for the long-term.