Sue Gerhart
Sue Gerhart, Researcher
Department
Marine Fisheries Biology
Location
St. Petersburg
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Degrees / Certifications
B.S. in Zoology, University of Florida
M.S. in Marine Science, University of South Florida
Education / Experience
I attended UF where I got a good basic biology background, then did my master’s work at USF. Being so close to FMRI offered a great opportunity for jobs. I started working in the invertebrate reference collection, helping to organize and preserve samples. I transferred to the stone crab project when I began my thesis on stone crab larval temperature and salinity tolerances. After graduating, I continued running laboratory experiments on juvenile stone crabs, as well as helping with the stone crab trapping study. I learned a lot about the process of science during this time.
I started teaching part-time at St. Petersburg College and found that I liked working in the classroom. When the opportunity arose, I decided to pursue teaching full-time. For nine years I taught biology, oceanography, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, earth science, and even nutrition. One interesting aspect of teaching was the advent of distance learning—I got the opportunity to teach online to students all over the world.
Although teaching had many rewards, I always missed research. Once again an opportunity presented itself just when I had made the decision to leave teaching. A job opened in my former work group (now called the Crustacean Fisheries group), and I went back to work on the animals I know best.
Recent Projects / Interview Body
What are you working on now?
I have several projects, involving several species, which I am working on all at once. The stone crab trapping study that began when I worked here the first time is still ongoing, providing a unique long-term study on crustacean fisheries. I am analyzing 15 years of data, as well as going in the field every two weeks to pull traps. We also have a blue crab trapping study in Tampa Bay, which requires us to pull traps every week. We are looking at the relationship between size and weight in blue crabs around the state by traveling to fish houses once every three months to measure their catch. I am also doing preliminary analysis of that data for an annual report. Our section began a Public Survey to find nesting beaches for horseshoe crabs in the state of Florida, and I am in charge of the hotline, e-mail, and online survey associated with that, plus designing methods to promote the survey. I also assist in collecting tissue samples from horseshoe crabs for a genetics study. I am finishing a report on shrimp monitoring methods used by other states in the southeast and working with the rest of the group to begin a shrimp harvester survey to characterize the nearshore shrimp fishery in the state of Florida. Finally, as the Web team member for our group, I am responsible for articles and links on our Web page.
Was work in your current field your original career interest? Why or why not?
When I was in seventh grade, I had a science class in which we learned the classification system for organisms, along with characteristics and examples of each major group. I found the diversity of life fascinating, especially in the animal kingdom. Animals as diverse as sponges, worms, snails, and starfish all shared some traits with humans. I found that the more different the animal was from me, the more interesting it was. The most different animals are the invertebrates, and most invertebrate groups live in the ocean. At that point I decided to become a marine biologist.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
I can’t really point to any one thing I consider my biggest accomplishment because I think everything we do here, even things that seem small, is important.
What do you like most about your career?
I really enjoy the variety of things I get to do in my job. I work on lots of different species, and the type of work I do varies. One day I’ll be out on the boat pulling traps; the next day I’ll be running computer data analyses, and the next I’ll be writing a report. I also get to attend meetings and travel to different areas of the state and gulf region.
Another thing I like is working with people who are bright, full of energy, and really love their jobs. Being in a positive and supportive environment makes work an enjoyable part of my day. I’m constantly learning from the people I work with directly and others that I come in contact with at the institute.
What do you like least about your career?
Dealing with people who don’t understand or trust what we do at FMRI. Some people misunderstand our role in marine conservation. I try to use these opportunities to let people know that we do research to understand the species that are important to them. We work to ensure that those species will still be around in the future.
What are some of your biggest challenges?
Balance—it can be hard to keep up with everything.
Another challenge is dealing with bad weather on field days. Most days I love being on the water, but when it’s cold and rainy and windy, I would rather be inside.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Be a well-rounded person, both in your education and experience. Being a good scientist is not about just knowing your subject; a lot of other skills and knowledge are necessary. For example, my education in computer programming allows me to analyze my data the way I want it done and not rely on a pre-packaged program. Another example is that my writing experience, both from classes and from personal activities, makes it easier to communicate with other scientists and the public. Even within the science field you shouldn’t narrow your focus too much. A good background in basic biology and in the physical sciences will allow you flexibility in your job choices.
