This is one cool guy that I had the pleasure of sharing some learning experiences with at the University of Michigan- Dearborn. He graduated a year before me with a Bachelor of Science in Land Resource Analysis, picking up Certificate in geospatial analytics and mapping. Within the last year or so he’s taken a position in Hawai’i so that he can make us jealous. His incredibly quick turn around time on the interview questions for our second “Future’s So Bright…” installment are a testament to how solid and dependable he is. Ladies and gentleman, I am proud to present John Deslippe! (notes from me in green)
What first sparked your interest in science?
The rules of the great outdoors have always made sense to me unlike many societal rules. I grew up in the City of Detroit, close to the Rouge River. The flood plains of the rouge, rife with raw sewage and industrial pollution, offered the only respite from the concrete, asphalt, and automobiles. Every spring when the snow melted and rains came we could smell the sewage coming down river. I knew there had to be a better way, and a way to restore our native habitats.
Describe your research in laymen’s terms:
I work in conservation, employing many different techniques to reduce the effects of invasive species on endemic, rare, and endangered species. (more of those pesky invasives) I never thought I’d be saying this, but the large majority of the work I do today is killing organisms. Rats, non-native owls, and feral cats have an immense impact on endemic species, such as Hawaiian petrels, and I work to reduce this impact on a landscape scale. This means trapping and killing invasive predators over hundreds of hectares in the Hawaiian outback. Although I work to reduce the population of these creatures I have a great respect for them. Their ability to survive and thrive in all types environments is amazing. However, humans have introduced them into landscape they don’t belong in, and left unchecked they will continue to extirpate and extinct species, especially in island ecosystems.
What are your hopes/plans for your scientific future?
I hope to continue working in conservation and have measurable positive effects on the species we are working to protect.
What do you think is the most important thing for the general public to know about science?
Science is not a religion. Science is not perfect. Scientists work to find reasonable, rational answers to important questions, not promote dogma.
What non-scientific interests do you have?
I love long-distance running, all kinds of awesome music, snorkeling and scuba diving, and rabble-rousing in with my kids.