STEM Saturday: Melanie Edwards
Melanie Edwards is a lab assistant at Princeton University helping with mosquito research. Today, she gives us a glimpse at what a day in her job is like.
On this week’s STEM Saturday, Melanie Edwards gives us a glimpse at her job as a lab assistant for PhD candidates studying mosquitoes at Princeton University.
[“Hi everyone! Here's what a busy day looks like working as a technician in a lab that researches mosquitos. Here's a few clips of my apartment. I feed my gecko, my praying mantis, and then I leave for work. I just moved from Dayton, Ohio to Princeton, New Jersey a few weeks ago. So far I'm very happy to be out of the Midwest. Here are a few videos of the place that I work. As a technician, my day usually starts off with tons of dishwashing. Princeton is always interviewing for new faculty positions. There were interesting talks and tons of free food. After the talk, we shot some pool and grabbed lunch. Tim really enjoys eating outside. Next, we;ll screen some mosquito larvae. If their eyes glow under the blue light, that means they are carrying the desired genetic marker. To end the day, Tim and I will usually run a PCR. Our lab manager painted this adorable beetle. To welcome the speaker, our department is having even more free food. SOme days I like to end my day in one of our many libraries on campus. And Petri and I finished the day with House of Dragons.”]
Melanie Edwards is a marine biologist with many different hats. She joined the field of marine biology when she was in college. She attended Bowling Green State University and majored in Marine Biology and Conservation/ Ecology. Edwards says she was inspired to work in the field of marine biology through her uncle. Edwards says, “My uncle worked with panda’s when I was a child. Seeing him be able to follow his passion and turn it into a career was overwhelmingly beautiful to me. I have always hoped to do the same.”
Over the past two years, she has removed invasive lionfish from the waters surrounding Belize, was a technician on a salmon hatchery in Alaska, a divemaster in Florida, and also researched guppies and killifish in Trinidad. Now, Edwards is living in Princeton, New Jersey with her three geckos, 2 mantis’, and a beautiful cat named Petri. She is currently a lab assistant at Princeton University, assisting other PhD candidates in their research on mosquitoes. Edwards explains, “The overlapping goals of the lab’s members are related to how mosquitos have evolved to better feast on humans. Truly it is too early for me to say what my favorite part is!”
Though she has had an abundance of adventure in her jobs, Edwards said finding a job was a struggle after college. It’s important not to lose hope in your search for your dream job. Edwards explains” When I graduated college, I applied to over 30 positions. I was rejected from 24, interviewed for 6, and was offered 3. There is going to be a ton of rejection in this career. Make friends with it!”
Edwards also added 5 more pieces of advice for those going into the field of marine biology:
1.) Make connections. I’ve found that so many jobs are offered by word-of-mouth. Going to conferences is a great start!
2.) Do not be afraid to apply to jobs that you think are too advanced for you.
3.) If you have just begun college, get as involved with field work/research as you can.
4.) If your university offers courses in GIS or R programming, TAKE THEM.
5.) Get comfortable with interviews. This is another good thing about applying to lots of jobs. All interviews are great experience.
If you would like to follow Edwards on her journey at Princeton and later on, you can follow her on TikTok at @marinebiologistmel and Instagram at @marinebiologistmel.
