Marianne Porter
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background?
Wow! This is a big question. I will break it up to make it a little easier to read and for me to answer.
– Where you grew up:
I grew up in Arizona!
– What education do you have:
I have a PhD from University of California, Irvine with research focusing on comparative biomechanics. My BS and MS were both from Northern Arizona University. My undergrad major was Zoology with Chemistry minor, and my research was in forest ecology. My MS was in Biology with research focusing on ecology of riparian (native and exotic) plants.
– A summary of your resume:
After my PhD, I left California to do my post-doctoral research at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. I am currently an Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University. My research focus is on the materials and mechanics of cartilaginous skeletons found in sharks, skates, and rays. So I study how their skeleton works structurally and also how they move with their cartilaginous skeleton (kinematics).
– Did you always want to do what you are doing now:
Yes! Since I was a very little girl I wanted to be a PhD and do research. I have always been interested in swimming biomechanics because I grew up doing competitive swimming.
– When did you start to become interested in STEM:
I think I have always been interested in STEM. I loved National Geographic when I was a kid, had a bunch of pets, and joined science clubs at school. I always loved doing science projects!
– What internships/ volunteering:
I really got my start in research as an undergraduate. I started working for a graduate student. Before that I really had no idea how to do or get started in research. The important thing to do is to talk to faculty members at your local colleges or universities. They can help you get started.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I am currently an assistant professor of biology. My responsibilities are divided up into three main areas: teaching, research, and service. I teach a large 350 person Human Anatomy and Physiology lecture. Part of my day is spent preparing for class, working on the course web content, and holding office hours for my students. Currently, I have one PhD student, two masters students, and three undergraduates doing research. I meet with each of them once a week to discuss their individual progress and we hold weekly lab meetings to discuss general lab business. I also try to spend a couple of hours every day devoted to writing scientific papers about my research findings. For my service component, I try to do work within my department, college, university, and for the scientific societies to which I belong. For example, I review grants for the university’s Office of Undergraduate research and Inquiry and I do peer review for a number of scientific journals.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I study biomechanics, so I use principles from engineering and physics to think about how animals move. My career as an academic started when I was an undergraduate. So I really do use that information on a daily basis.
4. 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 is working in the lab with my students. It is really fun to see them learn and watch their research progress. I also really enjoy interacting with my Anatomy and Physiology students during office hours. The worst part of my job is administrative paperwork. It can take a lot of time away from the actual work I should and want to be doing and that is frustrating. What do I wish I could change? Can I get someone else to do paperwork for me?
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
It is a work in progress but I am trying to reach a good balance between work and home. Here are a few things that seem to be working for me. I have an excel sheet with my work hours on it and I set aside blocks of time for all my responsibilities. It helps me keep on task and remember what I am supposed to be doing at any point in time. I also set an alarm on my phone that goes off every afternoon. When that alarm goes off, I pack up my stuff, and go get my one-year-old from daycare. A few years ago, I was at workshop for women in science and some of the senior scientists said the thing that helped them the most was getting a housekeeper as soon as it fits in your budget.
6. What do you define success as?
I think when you are doing whatever makes you happy, then you are a success.
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Persistence. Being persistent will help you everyday, but it is particularly important when you encounter setbacks.
8. 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 have had so many people mentor, help, and inspire me, but I think my PhD and Post-doctoral mentors who have had the biggest impact. They both taught me how to be a scientist, teacher, and how to mentor students. They are both also big advocates for women in science.
9. 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?
Best advice: Go with the flow. I am very Type A. I like to be in control and I hate change. It is good for me to remember that everything changes and that it isn’t a bad thing.
Advice to my younger self: Spend more time learning programming.
Advice for young women in STEM: Work hard and surround yourself with people who are supportive.
Wow! This is a big question. I will break it up to make it a little easier to read and for me to answer.
– Where you grew up:
I grew up in Arizona!
– What education do you have:
I have a PhD from University of California, Irvine with research focusing on comparative biomechanics. My BS and MS were both from Northern Arizona University. My undergrad major was Zoology with Chemistry minor, and my research was in forest ecology. My MS was in Biology with research focusing on ecology of riparian (native and exotic) plants.
– A summary of your resume:
After my PhD, I left California to do my post-doctoral research at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. I am currently an Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University. My research focus is on the materials and mechanics of cartilaginous skeletons found in sharks, skates, and rays. So I study how their skeleton works structurally and also how they move with their cartilaginous skeleton (kinematics).
– Did you always want to do what you are doing now:
Yes! Since I was a very little girl I wanted to be a PhD and do research. I have always been interested in swimming biomechanics because I grew up doing competitive swimming.
– When did you start to become interested in STEM:
I think I have always been interested in STEM. I loved National Geographic when I was a kid, had a bunch of pets, and joined science clubs at school. I always loved doing science projects!
– What internships/ volunteering:
I really got my start in research as an undergraduate. I started working for a graduate student. Before that I really had no idea how to do or get started in research. The important thing to do is to talk to faculty members at your local colleges or universities. They can help you get started.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I am currently an assistant professor of biology. My responsibilities are divided up into three main areas: teaching, research, and service. I teach a large 350 person Human Anatomy and Physiology lecture. Part of my day is spent preparing for class, working on the course web content, and holding office hours for my students. Currently, I have one PhD student, two masters students, and three undergraduates doing research. I meet with each of them once a week to discuss their individual progress and we hold weekly lab meetings to discuss general lab business. I also try to spend a couple of hours every day devoted to writing scientific papers about my research findings. For my service component, I try to do work within my department, college, university, and for the scientific societies to which I belong. For example, I review grants for the university’s Office of Undergraduate research and Inquiry and I do peer review for a number of scientific journals.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I study biomechanics, so I use principles from engineering and physics to think about how animals move. My career as an academic started when I was an undergraduate. So I really do use that information on a daily basis.
4. 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 is working in the lab with my students. It is really fun to see them learn and watch their research progress. I also really enjoy interacting with my Anatomy and Physiology students during office hours. The worst part of my job is administrative paperwork. It can take a lot of time away from the actual work I should and want to be doing and that is frustrating. What do I wish I could change? Can I get someone else to do paperwork for me?
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
It is a work in progress but I am trying to reach a good balance between work and home. Here are a few things that seem to be working for me. I have an excel sheet with my work hours on it and I set aside blocks of time for all my responsibilities. It helps me keep on task and remember what I am supposed to be doing at any point in time. I also set an alarm on my phone that goes off every afternoon. When that alarm goes off, I pack up my stuff, and go get my one-year-old from daycare. A few years ago, I was at workshop for women in science and some of the senior scientists said the thing that helped them the most was getting a housekeeper as soon as it fits in your budget.
6. What do you define success as?
I think when you are doing whatever makes you happy, then you are a success.
7. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Persistence. Being persistent will help you everyday, but it is particularly important when you encounter setbacks.
8. 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 have had so many people mentor, help, and inspire me, but I think my PhD and Post-doctoral mentors who have had the biggest impact. They both taught me how to be a scientist, teacher, and how to mentor students. They are both also big advocates for women in science.
9. 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?
Best advice: Go with the flow. I am very Type A. I like to be in control and I hate change. It is good for me to remember that everything changes and that it isn’t a bad thing.
Advice to my younger self: Spend more time learning programming.
Advice for young women in STEM: Work hard and surround yourself with people who are supportive.
