From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife Conservation
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Half of Murres seabird population dies after this happened
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Luan discusses the significant decline in the population of common murres, a seabird species in Alaska, which has seen about half of its population die off—approximately 4 million individuals—since the marine heat wave known as "the blob" occurred from 2014 to 2016. The primary reason for this drastic decline is linked to the effects of the heat wave on the marine food web rather than direct thermal stress on the birds themselves. The heat wave caused shifts in the availability of food sources, leading to starvation among...
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Mind Your Plastic Pollution: A Conversation On Changing Behaviors
How To Protect The Ocean
Mind your plastic pollution is a conversation that we all need to have because we all partake in using single-use plastic as the system is set up that way. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin engages in a conversation with Natasha Tucker, the Executive Director of Mind Your Plastic, a Canadian charity focused on eliminating plastic pollution. The discussion centers around the pervasive issue of plastic in our environment, emphasizing the need for behavioral change among individuals and businesses to reduce our dependence on plastics. Key points from...
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Plastic Pollution Clean Up Through Absorption
How To Protect The Ocean
Plastic pollution clean up through absorption is now a possibility by using a combination of cotton and chittin to take microplastics out of the ocean...but can this work at scale? In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lo discusses the pressing issue of microplastics in the ocean and introduces a promising new method for their absorption using a combination of cotton and chitin. The mechanism involves creating a sponge-like substance called CT cell biomass, which combines cellulose from cotton and chitin from squid. This innovative material is designed to...
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Climate Action When Governments Won't Help
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of climate change and the challenges posed by government inaction. With the recent political shifts in North America, particularly the incoming administration in the United States, there are concerns about the rollback of environmental regulations and policies that protect the ocean and climate. Key points include: Government Inaction: The episode highlights the potential consequences of a new U.S. administration that may prioritize economic interests over environmental protection,...
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Orcas Playing with Their Food: Wearing Salmon on Their Head
How To Protect The Ocean
Orcas playing with their food is not a new behavior; however, wearing salmon on their heads is not usual. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses a fascinating phenomenon involving orcas wearing salmon as hats. A recent photograph captured an orca in Puget Sound sporting a salmon on its head, reminiscent of similar behaviors observed in the 1980s when orcas from the southern resident population also donned salmon hats. Lewin explores the potential reasons behind this behavior, suggesting it could be a playful act, a celebration of a successful...
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Leave the seashells on the Seashore
How To Protect The Ocean
Seashells on the seashore are being taken in large quantities and it's increasing erosion along beaches. A new study reveals the tourism industry is taking too many seashells along coastlines in Costa Rica. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the environmental impact of taking seashells from coastal areas, particularly in Costa Rica. He highlights a growing crisis where the removal of seashells, driven by tourism, destabilizes beaches, accelerates erosion, and harms marine ecosystems. Seashells are essential for various marine species,...
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Abandoned Fish Farms in Greece: Ghost Farm Clean Up by Healthy Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Abandoned fish farms in Greece are plaguing the coastline with marine debris; however, Healthy Seas is working to clean up some of the sites and raise awareness for support to tell the Greek government that fish farm owners should be responsible for cleaning up their sites once the business is done operating. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of ghost farms—abandoned fish farms that are polluting oceans, particularly in Greece. The episode highlights the work of the organization Healthy Seas, which is actively...
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Solar Panel Efficiency Improvements Mimicking Giant Clam Algae
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Luan discusses the fascinating connection between giant clams and the efficiency of solar panels. He highlights the vibrant colors of giant clams, which are not only visually stunning but also play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems, particularly in the Southeast Pacific. The key focus is on the algae, specifically zooxanthellae, that live within the soft tissue of giant clams. These algae absorb sunlight and are essential for the clams' survival, as they facilitate photosynthesis and contribute to the clam's calcium...
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Orcas vs. Whale Sharks: A New Apex Predator Dynamic
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the fascinating behavior of orcas, particularly their recent predation on whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Orcas, known as apex predators, have been observed hunting whale sharks in the Gulf of California. This behavior was documented in a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Marine Science, which includes video footage and images of the attacks. The orcas target the whale sharks by striking their underbelly and grabbing their pectoral fins, aiming for the nutrient-rich liver,...
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Buy Now The Shopping Conspiracy: A Marine Biologist Reviews
How To Protect The Ocean
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy is a documentary that was released on Netflix a week before Black Friday. The movie reveals the shocking truth about how large corporations manipulate consumers to increase their profits at the peril of the consumer's wallet and the planet's health. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the recently released Netflix documentary, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy. The episode focuses on the themes of consumerism, overconsumption, and their environmental impacts, especially in the context of the holiday shopping...
info_outlineStephanie's Career Journey
Early Interests and Education:
Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting.
She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation.
Academic Path:
Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research.
After completing her PhD, she undertook two postdoctoral positions, one of which lasted five years in Raleigh, North Carolina, within the research triangle.
Transition to Science Communication:
While working at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Stephanie developed a love for science communication, blogging about her experiences and the challenges of the job market in wildlife biology.
She realized that her research, while valuable, often went unnoticed in academic journals and sought to make a more direct impact through communication and mentoring.
Establishing Her Business:
In April 2020, Stephanie launched her own business, focusing on career mentoring and science communication.
She began offering group programs and writing a book, leveraging her experiences to help others navigate the competitive job market in wildlife conservation.
Current Focus:
Stephanie now combines science communication with career mentoring, helping aspiring wildlife professionals improve their job applications and gain clarity on their career paths.
She emphasizes the importance of networking, gaining relevant experience, and crafting strong job applications tailored to specific roles.
Advice from Stephanie
Clarity and Strategy:
Identify what you truly want to do in your career. Having a clear goal helps in targeting the right opportunities and experiences.
Build Experience:
Gain a variety of experiences, especially those that align closely with your career goals. This may involve taking on multiple jobs or internships.
Networking:
Build and maintain a professional network. Connections can lead to job opportunities and valuable insights into the field.
Strong Job Applications:
Focus on writing compelling job applications. Many candidates struggle with this, often writing generic applications that do not highlight their unique experiences and skills.
Invest in Yourself:
Consider investing in career coaching or mentoring programs. This investment can lead to greater accountability and motivation, ultimately enhancing your chances of success.
Resilience and Dedication:
Persistence is key. The job market can be competitive, but with dedication and the right strategy, success is achievable.
Connect with Stephanie:
Website: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
Career Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/https://stephanieschuttler.com/3-pillars-to-success/
Fancy Scientist Podcast: https://stephanieschuttler.com/category/podcast/
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