Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Arkansas State Office

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  In grad school I looked at the most efficient and effective ways to restore previously forested land that has been mined for coal or oil to the best possible condition when compared to forest ecosystems in the surrounding area. Now as an early career scientist, I am interested in methods that private landowners can use to restore agriculture land back to its original conditions. This involves methods that make any ecosystem resilient and include soil erosion control, water quality improvement, planting of native grasses, shrubs, and trees as well as reducing the loss of wildlife habitat.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  Plants are amazing. The specific defenses plants have evolved to ward off animal predators are so interesting to me. I love learning about the ways that plants have had to evolve to outsmart their predators. When some plants are being attacked by insects, they release chemicals that attract other insects who in turn eat the insects preying on the plant. How cool is that! Basically plant secret service.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is a typical day like for you?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  As an early career scientist working with the government, I spend the colder months reading scientific papers and processing paperwork for government conservation programs. During the warmer months, I am monitoring easements and private land enrolled in conservation programs to make sure the landowner is achieving their conservation goals and the land is being properly restored.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  Science is challenging but very rewarding. It takes a person very comfortable with spending hours alone with their thoughts and reading to enjoy a career as a research scientists. Learning to think critically, question thoughtfully, listen humbly, and write well are important skills. Also, math skills. Math is so important, you will thank me later.

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  3

  
  

Recent Posts

OG Scientists Erika Valek Nov 6, 2019

Very interesting!! Thank you for sharing some of your results with me. Do you all have any final results/conclusions?

Leaf Me Alone Erika Valek Nov 6, 2019

Great job team! Thank you for providing us with your conclusions and I hope you enjoyed the experiment.

OG Scientists Erika Valek Oct 30, 2019

Those sound like great research questions! What do you predict will happen under those research questions?

I'm excited about your experiment and looking forward to seeing some pictures!