Karen A. Steidinger
Karen Steidinger, Scientist
Department
Harmful Algal Blooms Research
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
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Degrees / Certifications
B.A. in Zoology, 1968 from the University of South Florida
M.A. in Marine Science, 1971 from the University of South Florida
Ph.D. in Biology, 1979 from the University of South Florida
Education / Experience
University of Connecticut (English)
University of South Florida (Zoology, Marine Science and Biology)
Recent Projects / Interview Body
What are you working on now?
I work on the biology and ecology of harmful algal blooms (HAB), mainly in Florida. There are over 50 HAB species in Florida and my work concentrates on those that are associated with red tides that cause shellfish poisonings like Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, with fish kills, and with those that produce a respiratory irritant. You can go to the Red Tide section to find out more. You can also see a presentation I made to middle class students at www.marine.usf.edu/pjocean/video/index.html that is a video production.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment professionally has been in describing the stages of HAB formation, pointing out the importance of life histories of the organisms that cause HAB's in why we have HAB's, and in looking at the historical evidence of Florida red tides caused by Karenia brevis on the west Florida shelf.
What do you like most about your career?
Over the years, what I have liked most are the people I have met and worked with - their enthusiasm, dedication, and resourcefulness. This career has allowed me to travel and meet new people and see new places that I might not have met or seen if I was in another career.
4What do you like least about your career?
I chose this career but I wish there would be more remuneration in the form of a higher salary for marine scientists in government, particularly in today's market.
What are some of your biggest challenges?
To build programs that are successful in the sense of receiving fiscal support from different sources, successful in producing quality data, successful in sharing that data with other scientists, successful in publishing that data.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Go to college and at first major in a broad field like biology, zoology, or botany, then for an advanced degree specialize in a topic you have particular interest in. Your initial exposure to knowledge needs to be broad so that you can learn to synthesize and integrate what you have learned from various disciplines. Start off as a generalist, then become a specialist. It would be worthwhile to know that there are jobs in the field so that when you graduate you know where you can apply. Marine science or marine biology jobs are not glamorous; many are in the laboratory of on a research vessel but without diving, say with endangered species. There of course are those jobs, but those only represent a fraction of what is out there. All of these opportunities allow for discovery and that is the essence of science. You probably will surprise yourself with what you learn and how you increase the knowledge base through discovery.
