Ellen Prager
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
Short Bio and a Summary of her Resume
President, Earth2Ocean, Inc
[email protected]
You can also see more at www.earth2ocean.net.
Dr. Prager is a marine scientist and author, widely recognized for her expertise and ability to make science entertaining and understandable for people of all ages. She currently works as a freelance writer, consultant, science advisor to Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos Islands, and is a Safina Center Fellow. She was previously the Chief Scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Key Largo, FL, which includes the world’s only undersea research station, and at one time the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Dr. Prager has built a national reputation as a scientist and spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues and is a sought after speaker for public-oriented events. She has appeared on The Today Show and NBC News, Good Morning America, Fox News, CBS Early Show, CNN American Morning, Larry King, The Weather Channel and in shows for the Discovery Channel.
Dr. Prager focuses much of her time on bringing earth and ocean science to the public through writing, working with the media, creating innovative partnerships, and speaking events. Her newest book, The Shark Rider, is the second in an exciting new 5-book eco-adventure series (Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians) that combines fast-paced action, humor, and ocean science. The first book in the series, The Shark Whisperer, has been called “an underwater Harry Potter”. The Shark Rider swims onto shelves May 2015. Dr. Prager’s previous book, Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter, took an entertaining look at marine biodiversity, its relevance to the average person, and why ocean life and resources are now at risk. Ocean advocate Carl Safina says of the book, “A great book for beginners and one even experts can learn from and enjoy—this is possibly the best general book ever written on creatures of the deep.” It has also been called hilarious, tastefully salacious, and fascinating. She has written articles for scientific journals, public-oriented magazines, and several other books including Chasing Science at Sea: Racing hurricanes, stalking sharks, and living undersea with ocean experts and The Oceans. Dr. Prager has also published a series of children’s books with the National Geographic Society, the first SAND received the 2000 Parents Choice Award, it was followed by Volcano and then Dr. Prager has participated in research expeditions to places such as the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Caribbean, Bahamas, and the deep waters of the Florida Reef tract. She obtained a BA from Wesleyan University, Connecticut, a MS from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and in 1992, a PhD from Louisiana State University.
In 1992, as a faculty scientist at Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole, MA, Dr. Prager taught oceanography to undergraduates, teachers, and senior citizens in a unique educational program in which classroom learning is supplemented by extensive hands-on experience at sea aboard tall sailing ships. She later became the resident director of the National Undersea Research Center in the Bahamas. In 1997, she joined the U.S. Geological Survey where she split her time between scientific research in marine geology, oceanography, and coral reefs and public education. During 1998, the International Year of the Ocean (YOTO), Dr. Prager co-chaired the subcommittee on research, exploration, and education for the National Ocean Conference presided by the President and Vice President. Dr. Prager was a member and then Chairman of the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel for the federal government and was hired by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy to help write their report to Congress and the President. Shecontinues to focus her efforts on developing innovative and entertaining ways to share her passion for the oceans and the environment with others.
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts where I spent lots of time running around in the woods, climbing trees, and jumping over streams. When I was young I loved nature, Jacque Cousteau ocean specials, and the water (still do). I became interested in science in high school and also learned to scuba dive at the pool where I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons. Later in college (Wesleyan University) I found a way to combine my love of nature, science, and scuba diving….marine science. I was hooked. I also had excellent role models in my professors at college and at a marine laboratory in St. Croix where I spent a semester studying tropical marine science. They were cool people with very cool jobs!!!! I wanted to be just like them.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My job is not a typical science job and what I do on a day to day basis varies. And that is just how I like it! I have previously done research, taught college students, and was at one time the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s graduate school for marine science. I also ran a marine lab on a small island in the Bahamas and for a few years was the chief scientist for the world’s only operating undersea research station, the Aquarius Reef Base in Key Largo, FL. I now focus most of my time on bringing earth and ocean science to wider audiences through writing popular science and children’s books, public speaking, consulting, and sometimes going on television as an ocean expert.
Some days are spent in front of the computer writing, other days I may be traveling for research for a book or to make a presentation at an aquarium, school or event. I also do book signings where I love to meet my readers, especially those young or young at heart. Or I may be headed to the Galapagos Islands in my job as the science adviser for a small cruise ship based there. I used to do a lot of scuba diving for research, now I snorkel or dive when I can for research for books, on work-related trips, in the Galapagos, or just for fun.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Having a solid background in science has enabled me to do just about everything I am doing today! From studying earth and ocean science and conducting research, I gained a foundation of knowledge and understanding that provides the basis for my work. I can now help other people understand topics and issues that are founded in STEM. And because I have a solid background in science, I can act as an expert for other organizations, including the news media.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Early in my career, I worked as a safety diver with all men and did a lot of scuba diving and field work with mostly men. Sometimes there were physical challenges involved, but I never felt discriminated against or treated poorly. That may be because it has always been important to me to pull my own weight and do all the work that is required of me to the best of my abilities. I like challenges and hard work, and have a good sense of humor, which can help in difficult situations. I suspect I may even have been treated better because men saw that I was there to work as hard as them and could keep up. The only problem I had was with some older male professors that were not as comfortable with female students as compared to male students. But this was rare for me and I just did what I needed to do independent of their attitudes.
My advice is work hard, do your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job has been the adventures I continue to get to go on, the wonders in the ocean I see, meeting fascinating people, and bringing joy and excitement to others through writing and public speaking. The worst part of my job is dealing with people that don’t always do what they say, the lack of visibility given to science by the media and society, and finding funding for some of my non-traditional projects. It can be frustrating at times. I’d like to change all three of the worst parts of my job.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Be sure to have fun and love what you do. I am fortunate to love my job (most of the time) enough that sometimes it is hard to divide work from my personal life. I do, however, make sure to continually connect and spend time with family and friends outside of work. They keep me grounded and help to provide balance. I also have always made exercise a priority no matter what I am doing, and this helps manage the stress that sometimes comes with life. A good sense of humor helps here too.
7. What do you define success as?
Enjoying what you do, helping or bringing joy to others, having a good relationship with family and friends, and making enough money to live comfortably (but not necessarily luxuriously).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
A willingness to work hard and persevere in the face of temporary setbacks or even failures.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I’ve had numerous mentors in my career. From high school science teachers to college and graduate school professors to work colleagues. These people provided excellent role models and were incredibly encouraging. Other mentors taught me specific skills. One of my toughest, but best professors was Dr. Robert Ginsburg, who some call the father of coral reef geology. He was extremely tough on his students, but also taught me a lot about writing, giving a good talk, and asking the right questions. My parents were also important in placing great value on a good education and instilling in me an independent spirit and the understanding that I could do anything I wanted as long as I worked hard and did what was needed.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Here are a few pieces of advice (some are the same from above)
Work hard
Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities (so what if someone says no, they may just say yes)
Don’t be afraid to fail or try new things
Be gracious no matter what
Be prepared and dress appropriately
You can do or be anything!!!!!!
President, Earth2Ocean, Inc
[email protected]
You can also see more at www.earth2ocean.net.
Dr. Prager is a marine scientist and author, widely recognized for her expertise and ability to make science entertaining and understandable for people of all ages. She currently works as a freelance writer, consultant, science advisor to Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos Islands, and is a Safina Center Fellow. She was previously the Chief Scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Key Largo, FL, which includes the world’s only undersea research station, and at one time the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Dr. Prager has built a national reputation as a scientist and spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues and is a sought after speaker for public-oriented events. She has appeared on The Today Show and NBC News, Good Morning America, Fox News, CBS Early Show, CNN American Morning, Larry King, The Weather Channel and in shows for the Discovery Channel.
Dr. Prager focuses much of her time on bringing earth and ocean science to the public through writing, working with the media, creating innovative partnerships, and speaking events. Her newest book, The Shark Rider, is the second in an exciting new 5-book eco-adventure series (Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians) that combines fast-paced action, humor, and ocean science. The first book in the series, The Shark Whisperer, has been called “an underwater Harry Potter”. The Shark Rider swims onto shelves May 2015. Dr. Prager’s previous book, Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter, took an entertaining look at marine biodiversity, its relevance to the average person, and why ocean life and resources are now at risk. Ocean advocate Carl Safina says of the book, “A great book for beginners and one even experts can learn from and enjoy—this is possibly the best general book ever written on creatures of the deep.” It has also been called hilarious, tastefully salacious, and fascinating. She has written articles for scientific journals, public-oriented magazines, and several other books including Chasing Science at Sea: Racing hurricanes, stalking sharks, and living undersea with ocean experts and The Oceans. Dr. Prager has also published a series of children’s books with the National Geographic Society, the first SAND received the 2000 Parents Choice Award, it was followed by Volcano and then Dr. Prager has participated in research expeditions to places such as the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Caribbean, Bahamas, and the deep waters of the Florida Reef tract. She obtained a BA from Wesleyan University, Connecticut, a MS from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and in 1992, a PhD from Louisiana State University.
In 1992, as a faculty scientist at Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole, MA, Dr. Prager taught oceanography to undergraduates, teachers, and senior citizens in a unique educational program in which classroom learning is supplemented by extensive hands-on experience at sea aboard tall sailing ships. She later became the resident director of the National Undersea Research Center in the Bahamas. In 1997, she joined the U.S. Geological Survey where she split her time between scientific research in marine geology, oceanography, and coral reefs and public education. During 1998, the International Year of the Ocean (YOTO), Dr. Prager co-chaired the subcommittee on research, exploration, and education for the National Ocean Conference presided by the President and Vice President. Dr. Prager was a member and then Chairman of the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel for the federal government and was hired by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy to help write their report to Congress and the President. Shecontinues to focus her efforts on developing innovative and entertaining ways to share her passion for the oceans and the environment with others.
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts where I spent lots of time running around in the woods, climbing trees, and jumping over streams. When I was young I loved nature, Jacque Cousteau ocean specials, and the water (still do). I became interested in science in high school and also learned to scuba dive at the pool where I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons. Later in college (Wesleyan University) I found a way to combine my love of nature, science, and scuba diving….marine science. I was hooked. I also had excellent role models in my professors at college and at a marine laboratory in St. Croix where I spent a semester studying tropical marine science. They were cool people with very cool jobs!!!! I wanted to be just like them.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My job is not a typical science job and what I do on a day to day basis varies. And that is just how I like it! I have previously done research, taught college students, and was at one time the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s graduate school for marine science. I also ran a marine lab on a small island in the Bahamas and for a few years was the chief scientist for the world’s only operating undersea research station, the Aquarius Reef Base in Key Largo, FL. I now focus most of my time on bringing earth and ocean science to wider audiences through writing popular science and children’s books, public speaking, consulting, and sometimes going on television as an ocean expert.
Some days are spent in front of the computer writing, other days I may be traveling for research for a book or to make a presentation at an aquarium, school or event. I also do book signings where I love to meet my readers, especially those young or young at heart. Or I may be headed to the Galapagos Islands in my job as the science adviser for a small cruise ship based there. I used to do a lot of scuba diving for research, now I snorkel or dive when I can for research for books, on work-related trips, in the Galapagos, or just for fun.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
Having a solid background in science has enabled me to do just about everything I am doing today! From studying earth and ocean science and conducting research, I gained a foundation of knowledge and understanding that provides the basis for my work. I can now help other people understand topics and issues that are founded in STEM. And because I have a solid background in science, I can act as an expert for other organizations, including the news media.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Early in my career, I worked as a safety diver with all men and did a lot of scuba diving and field work with mostly men. Sometimes there were physical challenges involved, but I never felt discriminated against or treated poorly. That may be because it has always been important to me to pull my own weight and do all the work that is required of me to the best of my abilities. I like challenges and hard work, and have a good sense of humor, which can help in difficult situations. I suspect I may even have been treated better because men saw that I was there to work as hard as them and could keep up. The only problem I had was with some older male professors that were not as comfortable with female students as compared to male students. But this was rare for me and I just did what I needed to do independent of their attitudes.
My advice is work hard, do your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job has been the adventures I continue to get to go on, the wonders in the ocean I see, meeting fascinating people, and bringing joy and excitement to others through writing and public speaking. The worst part of my job is dealing with people that don’t always do what they say, the lack of visibility given to science by the media and society, and finding funding for some of my non-traditional projects. It can be frustrating at times. I’d like to change all three of the worst parts of my job.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Be sure to have fun and love what you do. I am fortunate to love my job (most of the time) enough that sometimes it is hard to divide work from my personal life. I do, however, make sure to continually connect and spend time with family and friends outside of work. They keep me grounded and help to provide balance. I also have always made exercise a priority no matter what I am doing, and this helps manage the stress that sometimes comes with life. A good sense of humor helps here too.
7. What do you define success as?
Enjoying what you do, helping or bringing joy to others, having a good relationship with family and friends, and making enough money to live comfortably (but not necessarily luxuriously).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
A willingness to work hard and persevere in the face of temporary setbacks or even failures.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I’ve had numerous mentors in my career. From high school science teachers to college and graduate school professors to work colleagues. These people provided excellent role models and were incredibly encouraging. Other mentors taught me specific skills. One of my toughest, but best professors was Dr. Robert Ginsburg, who some call the father of coral reef geology. He was extremely tough on his students, but also taught me a lot about writing, giving a good talk, and asking the right questions. My parents were also important in placing great value on a good education and instilling in me an independent spirit and the understanding that I could do anything I wanted as long as I worked hard and did what was needed.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Here are a few pieces of advice (some are the same from above)
Work hard
Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities (so what if someone says no, they may just say yes)
Don’t be afraid to fail or try new things
Be gracious no matter what
Be prepared and dress appropriately
You can do or be anything!!!!!!