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Meghan Shone

Meghan Shone, Researcher Department Harmful Algal Blooms Research Location St. Petersburg

Degrees / Certifications

B.S. in Biology and Mathematical Sciences, University of Alberta, 2001
MPH in Environmental Health, A.T. Still University, 2008

Education / Experience

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Alberta, Canada, 2001-2003
Resource Assistant, USGS, Nevada, 2003
Researcher, Statistics Canada, Alberta, Canada, 2004
Biologist, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, 2005-2007
Fish and Wildlife Health, FWRI, St. Petersburg, 2005-2007
Harmful Algal Blooms, FWRI, St. Petersburg, 2007-present

The experience I have gained through my education, work and volunteer history has been invaluable. In addition to the key positions listed since finishing undergraduate school, I spent time across North America working on various projects. This work has included everything from amphibian monitoring in the Canadian desert and Rocky Mountains to sea turtle work along the Gulf of Mexico.

Recent Projects / Interview Body

What are you working on now?

The main project I am working on now at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is called “The Red Tide Control Mitigation Grant Program.” It’s a grant program that was started in response to public outcry from Floridians and other stakeholders who ask the big question about red tide: “How can we get rid of it?” Well, we are recognizing that need and now disburse about $850,000 a year to environmentally acceptable techniques or technologies focused on reducing Florida red tide blooms in size or intensity or controlling their impacts. Projects range from research investigating how to minimize the toxicity of blooms to how to reduce negative environmental, human health, economic, and social impacts caused by Florida red tides.

This program is really the first of its kind. It was determined at the national level that we need to learn how to reduce the impacts of harmful algae blooms but, while there are plenty of ideas, the funding has not been available to meet this challenge. Florida can really serve as a model to help other states that suffer negative impacts from harmful algal blooms start their own programs.

Was work in your current field your original career interest? Why or why not?

I had a really fantastic senior high school biology teacher. She really inspired me and got me interested in environmental science. I would have to say it was the last hour of high school that I decided to be a scientist. The study of harmful algal blooms was not my initial goal. Science evolves and your career in science evolves. I have worked in herpetology (zoology that focuses on reptiles and amphibians), molecular genetics, marine biology and forestry. But my passion has always focused on ecology and environmental health. Recently this has evolved again to include the human health dimension.

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?

Since starting with FWRI in 2005, a lot of my energy has been devoted to developing a technical report about the human health aspects of harmful algae blooms. The report is more of an informational guide on how to develop harmful algal bloom response plans at the community and county level for human health impacts. This has been a huge accomplishment since so many agencies and stakeholders are involved. Collaborating and coordinating the multiple agencies and organizations to make sure that we are directly addressing the human health dimension of harmful algae bloom impacts in Florida is challenging.

What do you like most about your career?

I like the learning aspect of it and being on the cutting edge of science. I enjoy being a part of problem solving and developing new techniques. Every day can present a new challenge that needs innovative solutions. You truly feel you are contributing to preserving what makes Florida so beautiful, its natural areas and fish and wildlife.

What do you like least about your career?

There is a surprising large amount of paperwork involved in science. I miss spending more time in the field and in the lab, collecting samples and playing with all the cool gadgets. The more involved you get, the more time you spend crunching numbers and writing. Some days you wish you could just jump on a boat.

What are some of your biggest challenges?

I find the biggest challenge working at FWRI is being accountable to the public. Our mission is to protect, conserve, and manage the fish and wildlife resources of Florida. But, as a state agency, making sure that we are listening to the public’s voice and that we are answering their needs is just as important. As scientists, we have our own ideas of the kind of research we’d like to do but we also have a public duty to listen to the stakeholders of Florida and satisfy their interests. It is important that we develop technical knowledge and provide timely information and guidance through our research that satisfies public interests as much as our own.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?

Just get out there! There are so many opportunities to volunteer and do internships all over, locally and internationally. It really helps you become aware of where your interests lie and guide your education and career. It’s probably one of my biggest regrets that I didn’t clue into that earlier in high school. The best times of my science career was the freedom felt when spending summers in the Pacific Ocean on a marine biology boat or in the middle of the desert collecting samples.