Dr. Roger Goodwill, professor in the Biology department, led 10
students to Saipan for field study from June 9 to July 2, 2012. The trip
was made with the purpose of exposing students to practical experience,
to gain an understanding of what field biologists do, and to gain
research experience for their resumes.
The field study included
scuba diving, snorkeling and reef walking to collect sea animals to be
preserved as laboratory specimens. Students set up a makeshift workshop
using microscopes and preservation solutions. After the specimens were
made, they were shipped back to Hawaii to be identified by students in a
campus lab. Noting that the work does not end in Saipan, Goodwill said,
"We were there for three weeks, but the work continues long after."
Besides working in the field, students also participated in three NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
meetings where the topics of discussion included preservation of
endangered coral, whale diversity, and sharks. "While we were there, we
took advantage of our surroundings," said Goodwill. "We want students to
experience more than biology field work - we want them to meet
professional people. We want to help students to build their network."
They also visited a WWII battlefield in Saipan, learning some of the
history and the culture of the island. Goodwill advised biology and
biochemistry students who are interested in participating in future
field studies that "the easiest way is to become involved in the
mentored research program – teachers can get to know you." For this
field study, students were picked from the marine biology group and
student workers in the Museum of Natural History. He reminded students
to participate with a cooperative attitude. "We prefer good team
players," he said.
Stephanie Chan, a junior majoring in biology from Hong Kong, was one
of the students who went on the field study trip. "This Saipan
experience helped me understand more about what a professional
researcher does," she said. "I strongly recommend other students prepare
to participate in future field trips by working and studying hard so
they can have the opportunity as well."
The next biology field study trip will be in November 2012 to the Big
Island and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, and will focus on the
study of birds.
See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room
