STEM Spotlight: Katie O'Reilly
We're elated to have the littoral legend Katie O'Reilly on the blog today! Katie is swimming toward her PhD at Notre Dame's Stream and Wetland Ecology Lab where she studies the Great Lakes' coastal ecosystems. Not only is Katie's research invaluable to understanding wetlands and our freshwater fish friends' fascinating food webs, but she's also making a splash in scicomm. Katie is NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship alumna, and her Twitter feed will make you want to consume fish facts in a frenzy. You cod say that Katie's social media skills have got carp and sole! Meet Katie O'Reilly, shimmery scicomm-er and Great Lakes guru.
When did you know you were a scientist?
I don’t know if there’s any one moment when I thought, “I’m a scientist!” In second-grade one day, we had to come to school dressed as what we wanted to be when we grew up — I came dressed as a marine biologist (complete with a stuffed dolphin)! Even though I study freshwaters now, I still love all kinds of watery ecosystems.
If you could be any fish for a day, what fish would you be?
I’ll cheat and do more than a single day: I’d love to be a lake sturgeon because they can live for up to 150 years — imagine all the history you could live through!
Do you have a favorite fish-related fact you like to dazzle people with?
Some parrotfish species make a cocoon of mucus around themselves when they sleep. These snot bubbles are kind of like a mosquito net for the fish, protecting them from parasites.
Is there one particular issue about coastal wetlands conservation that you want people to know about?
In my study system (the North American Great Lakes), nearly half of all coastal wetland area has been lost since European settlement of the region. Wetlands were often drained for human development, and many of the wetlands we do have left have been degraded by pollution and introduced species. This presents a major challenge because these wetlands are home to a wide variety of plants and animals; for example, many fish species use them for spawning. But there is hope — a lot of people and groups are working to protect existing wetlands and restore those that have been lost!
What drives your awesome scicomm and advocacy?
Growing up in northwest Ohio, Lake Erie was always a part of my life. As a kid, I remember going to the beach and seeing pea-soup green waves breaking on a beach that was covered in invasive mussel shells. Even at that point, I knew that something wasn’t right. While the ocean gets a lot of attention (and for good reason!), freshwater ecosystems like the Great Lakes aren’t as well-known to many people. I try to use my platform to get people excited about the water around them (whether it’s salty or fresh!) and to hopefully use that excitement to protect the most important resource we have — water.
Do you have any favorite scientist(s) and/or fish from history or art/fiction?
Rachel Carson (the author of Silent Spring) is one of my inspirations because she combined her science background as a marine biologist along with her phenomenal writing skills to make people aware of — and care about — environmental destruction.
If you were a superhero, what would your go-to wearable technology device be?
I’d love a wearable SCUBA diving system — like hit a button and everything from mask to fins is set up for you and you’re ready to dive!
Where can people find you online (web, social media accounts, etc)?
For more freshwater facts, wetland wonders, and way too many fish puns, you can follow me on Twitter at @DrKatfish!